The Full Moon Party is legendary around the world as one of the most hedonistic parties on the planet. I get asked the same questions repeatedly about attending the full moon party and how to survive the madness, so I’ve put together some advice (most of it’s just common sense) for those that are thinking of taking a walk on the wild side. Photos are kindly provided by my friend Aishlin.

I’ll also soon be posting a story about the Full Moon Party twenty years ago compared to today, with some great old photos provided by my friend Ross.

1. Don’t take Anything you’re not Prepared to Lose

This applies to everyone – I hear so often “I’m not going to get trashed, I won’t lose my stuff”. You’re going to a giant party, with buckets of Thai whisky, you never know what’s going to happen. So just don’t take anything you’re not prepared to part with.

Even if you are a sensible head and don’t get wasted, pickpockets can be rife, and if you’re a young man with a few drinks inside you beautiful lady-boy pickpockets are particularly rife. I can pretty much guarantee that all those people comatose in the sand, stripped from head to foot of all their worldly possessions, didn’t intend that to happen. But it did.

Particularly don’t take your passport, your fancy phone, your ipod, your laptop, digital camera or in fact ANYTHING worth more than $10. I always advise people to just take a disposable camera, I’ve had people who’ve not only been relieved of their cameras but droped them in the sand, down the toilet and in buckets of Whisky.

2. Take Money in Two Different Hiding Spots

Take some money, again not a huge amount, and put it in two different points on your body. I don’t advise taking a credit card back up unless you’re prepared to lose it. You probably need to bring about 5,000 baht to cover any eventuality, but you can have a good party and get home again on 1,500 baht.

Drinks are cheap: a bucket of Thai whisky with mixers and red  bull (for party power) will set you back about 250 Baht or 7 USD. Mind the buckets, Sangsom, is particularly potent, you have no idea how much you’re drinking, and it does funny things to some people (see folk comatose in sand above). And PS. Don’t ever put a drink down, ladies especially, and don’t ever share a bucket from a stranger.

If you’re a real grown up and buckets aren’t for you,  I’d advise setting up camp at the furthest left hand side of the beach ( at Paradise – the original home of the Full Moon Party). You can sit at the low tables there and spectate, while quietly drinking BYOB of wine, or proper mixed drinks from the bar.

3. Take Contact Information

Know where you’re staying, bring the phone number. If you’re planning to get wasted write it on a body part. Know the name of where you’re staying and write that on a body part too. I can’t tell you the number of people stumbling around Haad Rin the next morning who literally don’t know, or are to drunk to pronounce where they’re staying.

Have a friend who is not going to the party who you can contact in an emergency, such as getting arrested. Preferably someone staying at your guest house so they can access your room or safe to get your passport and credit cards should the need arise. Also if you’re going alone, let someone know and be aware to check you return safely.

4. Do Not Get on a Moped for any Reason

There are more casualties on Full Moon Night than on any other night. Every year people die. The road to Haad Rin is totally lethal on a bike on party night. Not only is it winding, steep and with a sheer cliff face, its traversed by a massive number of people who should not be operating any kind of vehicle. There are also stories of robberies along that road, with people being pulled from the back of bikes.

The best way to get to the party is by speedboat from one of  the other beaches. Pretty much everywhere runs boats on the night. If the weather is bad and the boats can’t go then take a taxi, preferably a 4 wheel drive, especially if you’re coming from the more remote beaches like Haad Salad, Than Sadet or Thong Nai Pan.

If you try and get a taxi back in the morning, there will be plenty of choice, but you might have to wait a while for it to fill up and it might be a bit overpriced. The best option is to take the speedboats back while it’s still dark!

5. Have Fun!

Despite all the dire warnings and dangerous things that can happen, the Full Moon Party is still on of the most amazing experiences on earth. If you’re sensible about transport, mind the buckets, and go with a good attitude you will likely have one of the best nights of your life. Even for non-party-heads the people watching opportunities are unlimited, the spectacle is a sight to be seen, and the fire dancing is amazing. Whether it’s your cup of tea or not, you should probably check it out once in your life.

Related posts:

1. Night Fishing, deserves a quiet night