The main event
The Full Moon Party
A few thousand people, fire shows, buckets and sound systems stretched along Haad Rin beach until sunrise. Here's what actually happens — and how to do it well.
A quick history
The Full Moon Party started in the late 1980s as an impromptu beach birthday party for a handful of backpackers on Haad Rin. Word spread along the banana-pancake trail, and what began as a few dozen people with a sound system grew into one of the world's best-known beach parties — drawing anywhere from a few thousand in low season to 20,000–30,000 people around New Year and peak months.
What to expect
Haad Rin is a crescent of sand lined end-to-end with bars, each running its own sound system and genre. You don't pay to move between them — you just wander. Expect:
- Fire shows — flaming skipping ropes and limbo bars (give them a wide berth; burns are the #1 injury).
- Buckets — small sand buckets of spirit + mixer + a straw. Strong. Pace yourself and never leave one unattended.
- UV / neon body paint stalls all along the beach.
- Multiple stages spread across the bay — see "music" below.
Music & stages
The bay roughly splits by genre, so you can pick your night by walking from one end to the other:
- Trance / psytrance at the far ends and up the hill.
- House / EDM / commercial dance through the busy middle stretch.
- Hip-hop, reggae and old-school dotted between, plus a reggae bar or two on the rocks.
Dress code & UV paint
There's no real dress code — but white or neon clothing glows under blacklight, and most people get covered in UV paint. The single most important rule:wear closed shoes. The combination of broken glass, bare feet and buckets sends people to the clinic every single party.
Entry fee & practicalities
- Where: Haad Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach), south-east tip of the island — see the location and the beach map.
- Gate fee: ~100–200 THB wristband, cash, paid at the Haad Rin entrances.
- Cash: bring enough for the night — ATMs run dry and have long queues. Don't bring cards.
- Phone: a cheap dry bag or pouch on a lanyard saves phones from sand, sweat and the sea.
- Getting home: taxis surge after 2am — see where to stay to be within walking distance.
Full Moon Party FAQ
Is there an entry fee for the Full Moon Party?
Entry to Haad Rin beach is effectively free, but there's a small gate/wristband fee of around 100–200 THB collected at the entrances on the night. Bring small cash.
What should I wear?
Light, comfortable clothes you don't mind getting trashed, and — this is the big one — closed shoes or sturdy sandals. The beach is covered in broken glass. Neon/white clothing pops under UV light. Leave anything valuable at your accommodation.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
No. The Full Moon Party itself isn't ticketed in advance — you just turn up. The Jungle Experience and Waterfall Festival in the surrounding cycle are ticketed, though.
What time does it start and finish?
Things build from around 21:00 and peak between midnight and 4am. The party goes until well after sunrise — plenty of people are still dancing at 8–9am.
Is it safe?
Generally yes, if you're sensible. Watch your drinks, stay with friends, don't take drinks/buckets from strangers, and don't bring your passport or bank cards. Read our full safety guide.
How do I get back to my accommodation afterwards?
Taxis and songthaews queue up the hill from Haad Rin all night, but prices surge. If you're staying far away, agree the fare first or consider staying within walking distance of Haad Rin for the big night.
Never miss a full moon
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