Full Moon Party Koh Phangan is part of the Reunion Tour Trip Report.
In 2008, I heard about this magical event on an island in Thailand called the Full Moon Party. I knew nothing about SE Asia, let alone Thailand. I was told it was an epic party on the beach that should not be missed.
In August 2009, as a broke graduate student, I took the budget-conscious route by flying from BKK to Surat Thani. From there I took the slow ferry to Koh Samui and then to Koh Phangan.
After that effort, I enjoyed the nights leading up to the Full Moon party.
Because I had to be in Shanghai for the start of my MBA exchange program (see The Pointless Global MBA: Take 2), I had to skip the actual night of the Full Moon party.
TPOL’s Tip: Be careful of authentic Thai Redbull. One is enough for the week.
In November of that same year, I went back to Koh Phangan for only the night of the Full Moon party. While the beach was packed with people and while the party lasted through the morning, the Full Moon event was not as fun as my first time in Koh Phangan.
Alex’s Tip to Future TPOL: The nights leading up to the Full Moon Party are better than the party itself.
Alex’s Knowledge in 2009 and TPOL’s Tip: Unless you want to end up with bandages, do not participate in activities involving fire e.g., jump rope, limbo.
Full Moon 2022
In 2022, TPOL turned 40 and celebrated his birthday by going to his homeland for the first time (see Iraqi Homecoming: My 40th Birthday in Baghdad ). All grown up, TPOL heeded Alex’s advice and booked a trip to Koh Phangan for 4 nights, leaving purposefully on the day of the Full Moon Party.
The first two nights were quite tame. I assume that this was due to post-Covid low travel numbers.
While the party picked up the next two nights, it did not compare to the crowds from my previous travels. Nevertheless, I had a spectacular time. This time I did not have buckets of Red Bull and vodka, a surefire way to create debilitating, irrational anxiety the next day. This time I, once again, did not participate in fire activities. This time, like the times before, I left thinking that I am not too old for this shit.
Randy Petersen please for the love of god shit can this guy!!!!
Good afternoon dear reader, maybe contact Randy directly. Writing about evicting me from my house isn’t going to work. #whydoyouclickthen
Come for the article title.
Stay for the comments.
Never. Disappoints.
Haha. Keeps me entertained.
There’s something to be said for not growing up completely and going out to have fun like this.