Look after each other
Staying safe
The Full Moon Party is a great night out for the vast majority of people. A handful of simple habits keep it that way. This is practical harm-reduction — no lectures.
🍹 Drink safety
- Watch your drink being made and never leave it unattended.
- Buckets are far stronger than they taste — pace yourself and alternate with water.
- Don't accept drinks or buckets from strangers.
- Methanol-tainted alcohol is a rare but real risk — stick to sealed/known brands and stop drinking anything that tastes off.
👯 Buddy system
- Arrive together, leave together. Agree a meeting point in case phones die.
- Share your live location with a friend before you head out.
- Look out for anyone in your group who's had too much — get them water and a safe spot.
👟 The beach itself
- Wear closed shoes. Broken glass in the sand causes the most injuries, every party.
- Give fire shows (skipping ropes, limbo) a very wide berth — burns are common.
- Watch your footing on wet rocks at the ends of the bay.
🪪 What not to bring
- No passport. No bank cards. Bring only the cash you'll spend.
- Leave valuables locked at your accommodation; use a cheap waterproof pouch for phone + cash.
- Take a photo of your passport and accommodation address on your phone.
🌊 Water & getting home
- Don't swim at night, especially after drinking — currents, boats and the dark are a bad mix.
- Agree taxi fares before getting in; prices surge after 2am.
- Avoid riding a scooter back over the Haad Rin hill impaired — it's the deadliest thing on the island.
🕵️ Common scams & pitfalls
- Scooter "damage" claims — photograph every scratch at rental and keep your passport.
- Thai drug laws are severe and undercover police operate around the parties — penalties are life-changing.
- Overpriced "VIP" tickets from random touts — buy from your hostel or official agents.
📞 If something goes wrong
Thailand emergency number: 191 (police) · 1669 (ambulance) ·Tourist Police: 1155. There are clinics and a hospital on the island; serious cases are transferred to Koh Samui. Tell a friend, tell bar staff, and don't be embarrassed to ask for help.
This page is informational harm-reduction content, not medical or legal advice. Laws and conditions change — use your own judgement and look after the people around you.