Koh Pha Ngan
Why go?
If you think you've heard of this small island 10km north of Koh
Samui, that's because its full moon parties are
world-famous. Once a month in the southerly village of Haad Rin,
five to ten thousand people gather to watch the yellow moon rise
over the horizon, and then lose themselves in dance, drink and
drugs. Maybe it's just me, but it seems to draw an ever younger
crowd of year-offers and twenty-somethings, and an increasingly
chilled selection of trance, techno, drum-and-bass and reggae DJs.
If you arrive on full moon day itself, chances are you won't find
any room at the inn, but you could check out one of the quieter,
spin-off full-moon parties on nearby beaches. And, while we're in
middle-aged mood, do remember that drugs are illegal in
Thailand.
The island's capital is Thong Sala on the west side, where
most of the boats dock, including the Samui – Koh Phangan
– Koh Tao ferries. But there's not much to hold you there, so
jump on one of the waiting songthaews and head to a beach...