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The first Full Moon Party either went off in 1987 or 1988, no-one is really sure; and it was someone's birthday. It was such a good party
that the same crew met up again at Paradise Bungalows and partied under the next Full Moon. From there on the party grew to be a mecca for travellers in the 90s and then
became the global dance music festival that it is today, attracting thousands of visitors from every walk of life.
There are now over 10 major sound systems on the beach playing everything from psy-trance to drum and bass with each one representing a different
genre. Crowd sizes vary from around 8,000 in low season getting up to 30,000 in the high season; and inline with the party's growing popularity, Haad
Rin has been expanding to accommodate its guests. There are now over 5,000 rooms and hundreds of cool bars, boutiques, restaurants and of course the
great nightlife.
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Our reservation office has been open on Koh Phangan Island since 2002, so our staff can offer excellent information and service to over 95 hotels,
resorts and bungalows.
Take a look at our hotels
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The Full Moon Party takes place at Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan island which is located
in Jangwat (province) Suratthani in the Southern Gulf of Thailand and is part of the group of islands that make up the Samui Archipelago; a group of over 40 islands fashioned
in granite from age old igneous formations. The provincial capital is also called Suratthani and acts as the main overland transport hub for the islands. Koh Phangan is
70kms from the mainland and approximately 12kms away from Koh Samui which acts as the main air-link to Koh Phangan.
For more information visit our Koh Phangan island guide information
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Koh Phangan is most easily accessed via Koh Samui Airport though it is slightly cheaper to fly to the regional transport hub of Suratthani. From Koh Samui a fast boat
takes only 30 minutes whereas the journey from the mainland takes around seven times longer. If you come overland, the overnight train is the best option with a first
class sleeper carriage ideal for families. Buses are the most economic choice with a trip from Bangkok costing only about 650 Baht, all the way to Koh Phangan. Ferry services
are more or less hourly throughout the day from Koh Samui and every couple of hours from the mainland; several boats also go regularly from Koh Tao.
For more detailed travel information including boat timetables and useful links check out our rough guide
Download PHANGAN.INFO Guide Book Travel Info [pdf
file 1.5MB]
We recommend that you arrive at least 2 days before the party date, and if possible, make an online booking to reserve your rooms, especially if you are planning to
come in a big group.
For more information and booking online
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The Rock
The Rock is one of the best places on the beach to chill out and get a view of the whole party. It is situated at the southern end of Haad Rin on (you guessed it) a
big rock. Expect soulful funky tunes mixed by DJ Kim and the best cocktails on the beach. |
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Paradise Bungalows
The home of the Original Full Moon Party, Paradise is still the biggest and best venue consistently putting on the largest show. If a big name is visiting the island,
you will normally find them here playing alongside the amazing resident DJ A who has more or less coined the tough progressive sound of Haad Rin. |
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Drop In Club
Drop In is another long runner that has been playing a more commercial set to the huge crowd that gathers there. It has loads of different places to chill out and watch
the action; playing chart, RnB, hip hop and dancefloor classics. |
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Zoom Bar
Zoom Bar is another psy-trance venue, slightly smaller than Vinyl and a bit more intimate, but banging all the same. From sunset to sunrise the dancefloor is a blur
of sand, fluoro paint and limbs and it often goes on all day after the party as well. |
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Vinyl Bar
DJ Dam at the Vinyl Club bangs out full on psy-trance and driving techno to one of the biggest crowds on the beach. It has a monster sound system, loads of podiums to
shake yer booty on and more than its fair share of hardcore space cadets. |
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The Cactus
The Cactus is one of the first places you come to as you enter Haad Rin Beach , its right in the middle so it gets a load of punters, especially as the sun comes up.
Expect a more commercial sound with RnB, hip hop, old skool classics and even the odd bit of rock. |
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The Orchid
The Orchid is the only Drum and Base club on the beach, pumping out quality DnB, breakbeat and hip hop. Check out residents DJ Kay and Jok including guests on a rocking
sound system with one of the most having-it crowds on the beach. |
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Tommy Bar
Tommy's sound system is a long running psy-trance enclave complete with wacky fluorescent sculptures and some of the maddest punters on the beach. Resident DJ Leung
(Black Moon Culture) and guests play banging trance and techno at one of Haad Rin's most spacious and colourfully decorated venues. |
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Mellow Mountain
If you want to get away from the mayhem, but still want to keep an eye on the action - Mellow Mountain is located at the quieter northern end of the beach. There are
heaps of cushions and hammocks to chill out on, great milkshakes and soothing tunes to calm you down after a hard session dancing on the beach. |
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The Lounge
This super comfy bar will suit many as it attracts a smaller crowd; don't let this put you off if you like to party as the there's always bags of fun. |
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Same-Same
Warm up the evening with some live music at Same-Same Lodge; the band play covers from Rock to Pop on a pro sound system to keep the crowds coming back for more. |
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Outback Back
If you want to escape the pandemonium and hear some deep and funky house, head to the Outback near the main pier with its no-trance music policy. Check out the stunning
d?cor, a brilliantly stocked bar and an excellent menu make this a popular choice. |
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Warm Up Bar
Mixing an impressive selection of progressive house, the Warm Up Bar provides a good pre-dance venue in the heart of Haad Rin to down a few drinks and meet up with friends
before proceeding to main event. |
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Backyard Club
The ultimate after party that starts up at 11 am just as Haad Rin beach shuts down. Some say it is the best part of the FMP with only dedicated mooners mashing it up
on the dance floor and the best of the previous nights DJs on the decks; including the infallible resident DJ A and DJ Boy. |
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Our advice is don't be tempted by drugs; this island has had a bad reputation for a long time and the open
taking of drugs is not tolerated. Thailand has also had a crackdown and the police are very hot on stopping the problem. The days are gone when you could buy your way out
for a few dollars and the penalties in Thailand are harsh to say the least - expect a hefty fine and possibly an extended jail term if caught.
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