A Party Animal’s Guide to Thailand’s Full Moon Party: 6 Tips
- Kaley Wetekamp
- Aug 5, 2020
- 5 min read
Easy tips to manage this rager like a pro from someone who's been there.
Thailand’s infamous all-night Full Moon Party- a basement frat kegger on steroids. Every full moon thousands of young travelers gather on Hat Rin Sunrise Beach on the island of Koh Pha-Ngan and other destinations across the country for an epic night of endless dancing and drinking in the tropical breeze. If you’re thinking this sounds like a tourist trap through and through- you’re absolutely right. While hardly a cultural experience, the fire dancers and booze buckets
certainly are a recipe for unforgettable fun.
And nobody wants to go to one of the biggest parties in the world and not have fun. Even so, I know before going to the party myself I was worried about doing so while staying safe, and I bet you are too. Let’s be realistic and start with accepting the fact that you’re going to a giant party in a foreign country full of strangers where you’ll probably get drunk, and then let’s prepare so we can do that without the anxiety attack.
Here are my top six tips on responsibly approaching the Full Moon Party while not being a total party-pooper:
1. This Solo Traveler Says Don’t Go Solo
Maybe this piece of advice seems obvious to others, but as a stubbornly independent solo traveler who often prefers doing things on her own, even I would say don’t go to the Full Moon Party alone. First of all, for the obvious safety reasons, but more honestly because without friends it will literally suckkkkkkkkk. You’ll be walking around awkwardly alone begging for someone to talk to if you don’t come with others. When it comes to what kind of people you should have in your posse, it’s totally ok if they’re new travel friends! Hopefully you’ve known them at least a few days, long enough to have each other’s cell numbers and they won’t think it’s ok to just leave you stranded on the beach. But I’ve always found travel friends to be the coolest on earth, and even if you will only know each other for a short time, they become loyal fast. Definitely have at least one friend that you’ve agreed to stay together with the whole time (yes, the WHOLE TIME); for a larger group, while fun, it’s almost inevitable that you will get split up in the sea of strangers.
2. “I’m Gonna Go But I’m Not Gonna Drink”
I respect any traveler who can know their limits and control their “nefarious” behavior accordingly, but if you’re not going to drink (or dabble in drugs which frankly, if not obviously, is also popular) don’t bother going. I know people can have fun without drinking but the fact is there will be thousands of inebriated gap year kids stumbling around and if drinking isn’t something you feel comfortable doing you’re gonna end up having no fun and heading home your sober-self fifteen minutes after arriving. There are plenty of once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences to be had and this one just isn’t for you. On the plus side, I think safe drinking is shockingly easy at this event. At least on Koh Pha-Ngan, it was popular for a can of soda and mini shot bottle to be sold completely sealed in a bundle with an empty bucket. You mixed the drink in your bucket yourself so as long as you don’t trade and keep your bucket on your arm (which also isn’t hard to do ‘cause you’re standing on an empty beach) you should be good to go. Drink responsibly, kids.
3. “…Point Five Miles and Your Destination Will Be On the Right.”
If possible, stay in a place within walking distance of the party location. While it won’t be the cheapest or most restful stay you’ve ever had, there’s nothing worse than trying to find your way home in the dark in a foreign country while shit-faced. Make sure you have the night AFTER the party booked at the same place as well, otherwise you’ll be scrambling to meet a 10am checkout time while nursing a hangover. Try to book this in advance as most of these places will likely fill up even weeks before the party. Additionally, be sure to lock up all your belongings before heading out for the night- break-ins are reportedly higher around the full moon as people know everyone will be occupied with the festivities.
4. Pick Another Night to Find Love
I love the idea of meeting a handsome stranger abroad as much as the next girl who saw Letters to Juliet at sixteen, but a Full Moon Party is just not the place. I know how it happens: You’re dancing carefree on beach covered in glow sticks when suddenly you lock eyes with a cute stranger whose name you - hemm - can’t remember but he has an adorable accent so you make out with him a little ‘cause you’re young, you’re beautiful, and THIS IS LIVING LIFE, BABY! Suddenly it's 5am and you’re trying to find a ride home across town after shacking up with a stranger in his hostel dorm bed, a little scared and kicking yourself for being so irresponsible. I don’t want anyone to miss out on a good love connection, but I bet you my next trip (yeah, I said it) it ain’t worth it. Have fun with your friends, drink, dance, but don’t go home with anyone except your own crew to your own bed. You’re not in the right mindset to be meeting people.
Fanny packs are the MOST underrated piece of a traveler’s wardrobe. When done right, I love these corny tourist bum bangs more than Chiang Mai’s Thai ramen. While wandering city streets wearing a fanny pack can put a target on your back as an inexperienced tourist, at a Full Moon Party everyone there already knows you are one, and they are too. I don’t care if it ruins your outfit (which will be filthy from sweat and body paint, anyways), pick one up from a vendor on nearly any street corner on the whole island for a couple bucks and wear it on the front of your chest (NOT your waist or behind you) to keep your phone, cash, keys, and if you’ve got it a portable phone charger. Don’t be a noob filling your pockets or a loose-hanging bang with your life’s essentials. Keep your possessions safe from pickpockets or even more likely, yourself, dropping things on the beach.
6. *Drunkenly Forgets Own Name*
When I went to the Full Moon Party I cannot tell you the number of helpless souls we found aimlessly wandering the streets as the party was winding down. They had gotten lost from their group and were so drunk they couldn’t tell us who to call, where they were staying, or even, yes, their own name. I want you to prepare for this party like you would for a kindergarten field trip, one where you are both the chaperone AND the kindergartener. Write on your arm or (if you’re sure you’ll remember it) on a piece of paper your name, your emergency contact (in this case the most responsible friend you are traveling with. Not, like, your actual emergency contact), and the name of your accommodation (this advice is very specific to this situation; obviously keep your accommodation confidential most other times while you’re traveling). Hopefully your faculties will be well enough that you never have to use this, but if you do end up drinking a little more than you planned you can rely on a kind stranger or motorbike taxi driver to get you where you need to go.
There you have it, six tips to set your party-animal-self up for success. Nevertheless, don’t forget that you are still at a tourists party in a foreign country and that type of gathering will always attract lamentable behavior whether it be heckling, unwanted male attention, pick-pocketing, or much worse. Above all, stay smart and use your common sense. Now that I got the mom speech out of the way, go throw on your grubbiest party tank, slap on that neon body paint, and PARTAYYYYYY!
What other safety tips do you have for going to big parties abroad? Comment Below!
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