Full Moon Party in Koh Pha Ngan sees double the tourists

The third Full Moon Party of the year on Koh Pha Ngan has drawn double the number of tourists to South Thailand’s Koh Pha Ngan since the first party back in April. Last night, about 20,000 visitors arrived on the shores of Haad Rin. The tourists passed through 5 checkpoints to be screened for weapons and drugs before they could carry on to enjoy the night.

Koh Pha Ngan’s provincial governor says the number of tourists marked the improving tourism situation. Governor Wichawut Jinto said the island was expected to rake in about 50 million baht on Tuesday night alone.

Meanwhile, the island’s authorities kept tight security. In addition to the 5 checkpoints screening arrivals, there were also checkpoints manned by police and soldiers along the road from the boat pier to Hat Rin beach, according to a local business chairman.

The first Full Moon Party is said to have been improvised at a Paradise Bungalows on Hand Rin in 1983 as a “token of thanks” to about 20–30 travellers, though the accuracy of this is disputed, as is the date of the original event. No one can remember the night precisely… they must have had a good time!

Until April this year, the Koh Pha Ngan Full Moon Party hadn’t been held in full since the Covid-19 pandemic first broke out two years ago. Historically, the party was held on the night of, before, or after every full moon.

Most people either arrive on a ferry from Don Sak in Surat Thani, either via Koh Samui or direct to Koh Pha Ngan.

Here are the dates for the Full Moon Party parties the rest of this year…

• Friday 15 July
• Saturday 13 August
• Saturday 10 September
• Tuesday 11 October
• Tuesday 8 November
• Thursday 8 December

Tickets to the party can be bought upon entry for 100 baht each. You might be asked to show your vaccination history, Thailand Pass, or to take an ATK test if you’re not vaccinated.

SOURCE: The Bangkok Post

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If you want to travel to Thailand, apply for the Thailand Pass with the 24-hour service and obtain Covid Insurance (including free SIM cards).

Note: Unvaccinated travellers require a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before travelling.

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