Halfmoon Party Closed Down By Police

[ham]

as a friend told me, who joinded the yesterday's halfmoon party, at ban tai, koh phangan, that it was closed down by the local police, between 2 and 3 in the night.

the beginning of the end for the party's?

ham

[sbk]

At least for now. The local gossip is that it is off-island police --most likely from Bangkok, instituting the crackdown, and presumably, once they return home, things will return to as they were. See this thread here regarding the same practice in Samui. Sounds like the same guys.

[baco]

At least for now. The local gossip is that it is off-island police --most likely from Bangkok, instituting the crackdown, and presumably, once they return home, things will return to as they were. See this thread here regarding the same practice in Samui. Sounds like the same guys.

there is a lot of outside police and it was basicly told before hand by the local cops a fewdays ago " a meeting or barowners.

They where told to have their licenses in order and keep the music down.

wil be back to normal in a few days

[girlx]

hm have the military (or whatever) police done this before? sounds to me like when the last "drug war" started and they went to koh chang and did pee tests on bar patrons, etc. when i was there. kinda scary.

Edited March 15, 2008 by girlx

[5tash]

doesn't seem to be just phangan. i've been looking at the bkk & cm forums the police seem to be shutting down a lot of bars around 2 o'clock.

[Obiwan]

Good that they crack down on these idiot drug-parties, only visited by filthy unwashed hippies, keeping half of the island out of their sleep with this stupid house and hiphop crap!

Thumbs up for the KP police!

[bsided69]

as a friend told me, who joinded the yesterday's halfmoon party, at ban tai, koh phangan, that it was closed down by the local police, between 2 and 3 in the night.

the beginning of the end for the party's?

ham

Half moon partys????? What that all about? Do you have quarter moon partys? No moon partys? When I was lad we danced to the sound of birds singing in the trees and drank dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy.

Arrr fec it. the police are trying there hardest to close things like this down so the Island attracts your more wealthy 2 week tourist. They probably spend upwards of 5 grand English on a 2 week holiday. Thats where the Thai government want things to go. Its a buisness thing. Hopefully they will forget about as they do with most things? Read my post "CM closes at 2am" Its all happening here as well.

Good luck Mate

[sbk]

doesn't seem to be just phangan. i've been looking at the bkk & cm forums the police seem to be shutting down a lot of bars around 2 o'clock.

Indeed, it is all over the place, not just the Samui report mentioned above but these as well, so it appears to be a nationwide crackdown.

Cm Closes At 2am

Bangkok:Bar Closing Times

Phuket: Nightlife Crackdown

[jaidam]

Good that they crack down on these idiot drug-parties, only visited by filthy unwashed hippies, keeping half of the island out of their sleep with this stupid house and hiphop crap!

Thumbs up for the KP police!

Amen to that. What nonsense, bopping around all night fueled up by <deleted> narcotics, listening to utter rubbish computer generated music, whilst keeping everyone awake in the area. If I were PM every so called DJ would face the firing squad.

[susquosh]

Good that they crack down on these idiot drug-parties, only visited by filthy unwashed hippies, keeping half of the island out of their sleep with this stupid house and hiphop crap!

Thumbs up for the KP police!

Amen to that. What nonsense, bopping around all night fueled up by <deleted> narcotics, listening to utter rubbish computer generated music, whilst keeping everyone awake in the area. If I were PM every so called DJ would face the firing squad.

You wishy-washy liberals make me sick!!

[ham]

You wishy-washy liberals make me sick!!

that's just such a nice one

[stevehaigh]

Half moon partys????? What that all about? Do you have quarter moon partys? No moon partys? When I was lad we danced to the sound of birds singing in the trees and drank dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy.

we have a party for every day of the moon and some invented ones, what the f is "shiva moon"?

i also agree with the DJs been shot concept, at least the ones that believe that DJing is like been a real musician.

i assume that you drank "dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy" because it was fermented, right?

steve

[mangostays]

Half moon partys????? What that all about? Do you have quarter moon partys? No moon partys? When I was lad we danced to the sound of birds singing in the trees and drank dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy.

we have a party for every day of the moon and some invented ones, what the f is "shiva moon"?

i also agree with the DJs been shot concept, at least the ones that believe that DJing is like been a real musician.

i assume that you drank "dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy" because it was fermented, right?

steve

The parties are a false economy for the Island and do little more than attract budget backpackers who cram themselves (mainly) into Haad Rin for maybe three or four days max, once a month, and occasionally get hammered on Sang Song buckets for 120 Bht a throw (which they share between six of them). I don't wish to mention any specific nationality, but a large proportion of the temporary party crowd who reside in Haad Rin for the event tend to spend as little money as is humanely possible, slope around bare footed in Thong Sala looking for cheap food and generally anoy the crap out of the local Thai and resident expat population. And yes, they generally contribute bugger all to the island as a whole. And yes, some of them do smell of dog shit.

All the big money is on Samui and I would guess a very large percentage of high spending tourists simply don't bother with Phangan for fear of having their holidays (or future investment) ruined by hedonistic hippies and constantly deafening techno/trance music. Anybody who actually lives on or has bothered vistiting Koh Phangan knows that this is simply not the case, and most usually agree the island is far more tranquil, better value and unbeleiviably more beautiful than other similar island destinations. on a positive note, I guess the low tourist numbers keep the theme of the island pretty trad backpacker and the serious development down enormously compared to other higher profile places.

For those who have invested money on Koh Phangan, we all know that as soon as the parties stop, the big hotels move over, the real estate market gets a serious kick start and the local land owners (of which the vast majority are local Thais incidientally) get the opportunity to make some serious money. Hopefully when this happens, Phangan will be better able to cope with the sudden changes than other rapidly developed tourist destinations have suffered negative impact from similar fast track investment.

The downside to the parties finishing is that a certain social niche (mainly the low end resorts, local touts, taxi drivers etc) will take an unprecidented financial hit, but as I said earlier, the economy of the island will as a whole benefit. And besides, all of the aformentioned can easily realign their 'business interests' to make the most of the up and comming influx of non smelly, short haired folk.

Incidentally, the whole party scene is pretty well set up, the booze is cheap and generally, if you behave yourself and you're into loud 90's techno then you'll probably enjoy yourself. Personally I find attending the full moon party a bit like going to the fair ground, except that there arn't any rides or easy ways to escape when you get bored or lose all your money.

[5tash]

Half moon partys????? What that all about? Do you have quarter moon partys? No moon partys? When I was lad we danced to the sound of birds singing in the trees and drank dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy.

we have a party for every day of the moon and some invented ones, what the f is "shiva moon"?

i also agree with the DJs been shot concept, at least the ones that believe that DJing is like been a real musician.

i assume that you drank "dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy" because it was fermented, right?

steve

The parties are a false economy for the Island and do little more than attract budget backpackers who cram themselves (mainly) into Haad Rin for maybe three or four days max, once a month, and occasionally get hammered on Sang Song buckets for 120 Bht a throw (which they share between six of them). I don't wish to mention any specific nationality, but a large proportion of the temporary party crowd who reside in Haad Rin for the event tend to spend as little money as is humanely possible, slope around bare footed in Thong Sala looking for cheap food and generally anoy the crap out of the local Thai and resident expat population. And yes, they generally contribute bugger all to the island as a whole. And yes, some of them do smell of dog shit.

All the big money is on Samui and I would guess a very large percentage of high spending tourists simply don't bother with Phangan for fear of having their holidays (or future investment) ruined by hedonistic hippies and constantly deafening techno/trance music. Anybody who actually lives on or has bothered vistiting Koh Phangan knows that this is simply not the case, and most usually agree the island is far more tranquil, better value and unbeleiviably more beautiful than other similar island destinations. on a positive note, I guess the low tourist numbers keep the theme of the island pretty trad backpacker and the serious development down enormously compared to other higher profile places.

For those who have invested money on Koh Phangan, we all know that as soon as the parties stop, the big hotels move over, the real estate market gets a serious kick start and the local land owners (of which the vast majority are local Thais incidientally) get the opportunity to make some serious money. Hopefully when this happens, Phangan will be better able to cope with the sudden changes than other rapidly developed tourist destinations have suffered negative impact from similar fast track investment.

The downside to the parties finishing is that a certain social niche (mainly the low end resorts, local touts, taxi drivers etc) will take an unprecidented financial hit, but as I said earlier, the economy of the island will as a whole benefit. And besides, all of the aformentioned can easily realign their 'business interests' to make the most of the up and comming influx of non smelly, short haired folk.

Incidentally, the whole party scene is pretty well set up, the booze is cheap and generally, if you behave yourself and you're into loud 90's techno then you'll probably enjoy yourself. Personally I find attending the full moon party a bit like going to the fair ground, except that there arn't any rides or easy ways to escape when you get bored or lose all your money.

i personaly don't enjoy the parties, not my thing, but a lot of my friends attend them and have good fun. the parties and 'hedonistic hippies' were here long before the business investors.

if you were a business investor surely you would look at samui because that's where all the big money is.

Edited March 16, 2008 by 5tash

[mangostays]

True, the hippies (sorry, Travellers) were here first and put the place in the lonely planet. Also, I can't deny when I was a few years younger it was more of my thing. But like a lot of good things, once the masses start rolling up the whole thing loses it's appeal.

Often it's not just about the big money with foreign investors. Sometimes they are looking for something different that they can actually be a part of too. I did my best not to mention Samui in my reply btw...

[UmpaLumpa]

Half moon partys????? What that all about? Do you have quarter moon partys? No moon partys? When I was lad we danced to the sound of birds singing in the trees and drank dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy.

we have a party for every day of the moon and some invented ones, what the f is "shiva moon"?

i also agree with the DJs been shot concept, at least the ones that believe that DJing is like been a real musician.

i assume that you drank "dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy" because it was fermented, right?

steve

The parties are a false economy for the Island and do little more than attract budget backpackers who cram themselves (mainly) into Haad Rin for maybe three or four days max, once a month, and occasionally get hammered on Sang Song buckets for 120 Bht a throw (which they share between six of them). I don't wish to mention any specific nationality, but a large proportion of the temporary party crowd who reside in Haad Rin for the event tend to spend as little money as is humanely possible, slope around bare footed in Thong Sala looking for cheap food and generally anoy the crap out of the local Thai and resident expat population. And yes, they generally contribute bugger all to the island as a whole. And yes, some of them do smell of dog shit.

All the big money is on Samui and I would guess a very large percentage of high spending tourists simply don't bother with Phangan for fear of having their holidays (or future investment) ruined by hedonistic hippies and constantly deafening techno/trance music. Anybody who actually lives on or has bothered vistiting Koh Phangan knows that this is simply not the case, and most usually agree the island is far more tranquil, better value and unbeleiviably more beautiful than other similar island destinations. on a positive note, I guess the low tourist numbers keep the theme of the island pretty trad backpacker and the serious development down enormously compared to other higher profile places.

For those who have invested money on Koh Phangan, we all know that as soon as the parties stop, the big hotels move over, the real estate market gets a serious kick start and the local land owners (of which the vast majority are local Thais incidientally) get the opportunity to make some serious money. Hopefully when this happens, Phangan will be better able to cope with the sudden changes than other rapidly developed tourist destinations have suffered negative impact from similar fast track investment.

The downside to the parties finishing is that a certain social niche (mainly the low end resorts, local touts, taxi drivers etc) will take an unprecidented financial hit, but as I said earlier, the economy of the island will as a whole benefit. And besides, all of the aformentioned can easily realign their 'business interests' to make the most of the up and comming influx of non smelly, short haired folk.

Incidentally, the whole party scene is pretty well set up, the booze is cheap and generally, if you behave yourself and you're into loud 90's techno then you'll probably enjoy yourself. Personally I find attending the full moon party a bit like going to the fair ground, except that there arn't any rides or easy ways to escape when you get bored or lose all your money.

what about having your holiday ruined by speeding cement trucks, or renting a 5000B bungalow and hear the construction going on next door.. or looking at hills being litterally 'chopped off'..

semms to be that you believe 'construction and development' is the best thing that can happen to KPG in the near future..

if so, poor KPG..

[5tash]

from an outsiders point of view it's a shame what's happening with kpg, with all the construction and developement, it's chasing alot of the regular visitors away, they're looking else where. it's the same in my case, i only come to visit friends.

from the locals point of view i'm sure it's a good thing with more money coming in and after all, it is their island.

a different kind of tourist is now coming to kpg, with all these fancy air-con, hot water, swimming pool resorts being built it's attracting the 2 week package tourist, who spend as much baht in two weeks as a backpacker does in three months. from the thai point of view this is great. but for me and a lot of my friends, not so great.

things move on, it's what you call progression. unfortunately the regulars are moving on also.

to get back to the topic of the thread, does anyone know what's going to happen with the fool moon party on the 21st? are the police going to close the whole of hat rin beach at 2am?

[Samuian]

Thats how different we all are... some like concrete, stainless, mirrored glass windows, sterile bathrooms smelling of chlorine, jaccuzzi, infinity pool, range rovers and others are quite happy with their "hedonistic hippie appearance", a beach, the sea, the sun, the stars the moon, sharing with people from all over the planet at one spot, some serious fun, with the sound of beat'n drum...those japing on about events like this maybe even have missed Woodstock... for some the "world" is only measured in inch, liters, income, expenses and what their bank account holds...

why there is carnival, events like the love parade, mardi gras, music festivals, why? Because.... "hedonistic hippie appearance" or people in general, don't wanna have fun?

[sbk]

to get back to the topic of the thread, does anyone know what's going to happen with the fool moon party on the 21st? are the police going to close the whole of hat rin beach at 2am?

From what I have heard no, it will run all night as usual but all the other parties will be shut down at 2am. As will bars, and hopefully the loud karoake that keeps my father-in-law awake on a nightly basis.

[Mark Wolfe]

You wishy-washy liberals make me sick!!

They seem rather UN-wishy-washy ala Charlie Brown to me...

Back to the topic....The police here, when it comes to this sort of thing, are not motivated by enforcing the law; there must be some other force at work.

Mix and match from the many possibilities, including a new man at the top/mid level getting some "face," (most likely) and kickbacks (most likely part II). If possible, the police would like nothing more than to do nothing at all.

Reminds me of the "Three-minute heat wave," a saying in Mandarin meaning a short-lived crackdown on something or other that lasts just long enough to be seen doing something.

[mangostays]

what about having your holiday ruined by speeding cement trucks, or renting a 5000B bungalow and hear the construction going on next door.. or looking at hills being litterally 'chopped off'..

semms to be that you believe 'construction and development' is the best thing that can happen to KPG in the near future..

if so, poor KPG..

Actually, quarrying of any sort is illegal in Koh Phangan, as is deforestation (cutting down any tree requires the permission of the local Orbador) so you can't blame the foreign developers for that (at least not directly anyway). Again, most reputable builders get their materials from reputable sources. And yes, as long as the boundaries of the national park are respected (and I don't mean Anthong Marine Park, I mean the 40% land mass of the island put aside as reserve) then development is a good thing for Koh Phangan. Progress is progress, and better the real estate is put out to a fair tender and an open market that will build mostly in theme with the landscape, then it is land banked en mass by those in a position to currently do so.

Quite rightly, this though has nothing to do with the future of the full moon party, which I would take an educated guess at having around five or sixe years left in it at most before it is permamently shut down or moved to a more secure/controlable/taxable location. Non of the big wigs really want it and it's seen as a bit of an embarressment to Thailand in general.

It has had a good running, that can't be denied...

[mangostays]

Thats how different we all are... some like concrete, stainless, mirrored glass windows, sterile bathrooms smelling of chlorine, jaccuzzi, infinity pool, range rovers and others are quite happy with their "hedonistic hippie appearance", a beach, the sea, the sun, the stars the moon, sharing with people from all over the planet at one spot, some serious fun, with the sound of beat'n drum...those japing on about events like this maybe even have missed Woodstock... for some the "world" is only measured in inch, liters, income, expenses and what their bank account holds...

why there is carnival, events like the love parade, mardi gras, music festivals, why? Because.... "hedonistic hippie appearance" or people in general, don't wanna have fun?

Nothing wrong with having fun, just try and take a shower at least twice a day and if you've got a sleeping bag, get it checked for bed bugs...

[bsided69]

Good that they crack down on these idiot drug-parties, only visited by filthy unwashed hippies, keeping half of the island out of their sleep with this stupid house and hiphop crap!

Thumbs up for the KP police!

Amen to that. What nonsense, bopping around all night fueled up by <deleted> narcotics, listening to utter rubbish computer generated music, whilst keeping everyone awake in the area. If I were PM every so called DJ would face the firing squad.

Do you like Christmas?

[bsided69]

Half moon partys????? What that all about? Do you have quarter moon partys? No moon partys? When I was lad we danced to the sound of birds singing in the trees and drank dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy.

we have a party for every day of the moon and some invented ones, what the f is "shiva moon"?

i also agree with the DJs been shot concept, at least the ones that believe that DJing is like been a real musician.

i assume that you drank "dandilion and burdock till we were quite giddy" because it was fermented, right?

steve

The parties are a false economy for the Island and do little more than attract budget backpackers who cram themselves (mainly) into Haad Rin for maybe three or four days max, once a month, and occasionally get hammered on Sang Song buckets for 120 Bht a throw (which they share between six of them). I don't wish to mention any specific nationality, but a large proportion of the temporary party crowd who reside in Haad Rin for the event tend to spend as little money as is humanely possible, slope around bare footed in Thong Sala looking for cheap food and generally anoy the crap out of the local Thai and resident expat population. And yes, they generally contribute bugger all to the island as a whole. And yes, some of them do smell of dog shit.

Can we have a vote on the most Annoying nationality of people who visit Thailand. I know what you want to say. The most arrogant, irratating, tight fisted bunch of Joey Dankers I have ever come accross.

ps I am not a nationality

[mangostays]

Can we have a vote on the most Annoying nationality of people who visit Thailand. I know what you want to say. The most arrogant, irratating, tight fisted bunch of Joey Dankers I have ever come accross.

ps I am not a nationality

That would be the ********* then right?

[girlx]

That would be the ********* then right?

italians? israelis? english? germans? i think i have met tightfisted, annoying people from just about every country here, even in had rin.

[sbk]

Indeed, while some nationalities tend to be more obvious because they are obnoxious in large crowds, every nationality has the ability to produce obnoxious idiots. So, instead of engaging in stereotyping and prejudice, lets turn our attention back to the closing times on Koh Phangan.

Does anyone know if ALL bars are being forced to close at 2am as well? Or is it just the parties?

[Taci]

The trend is not unusual. Prior to the Royal Thai Police visits from Bangkok the local boys in Brown have a bit of a clamp down to ensure they dont look like theyre not in control.

Dont know about Phangan but all the bar owners etc in Samui are being advised to ensure all their paperwork etc is in order. Bankok police are reportedly arriving 25th for the week.

[BigSnake]

To much noise, guess they were thinking some neighbors might get PO and start shooting for like of sleep>

[t.s]

to get back to the topic of the thread, does anyone know what's going to happen with the fool moon party on the 21st? are the police going to close the whole of hat rin beach at 2am?

From what I have heard no, it will run all night as usual but all the other parties will be shut down at 2am. As will bars, and hopefully the loud karoake that keeps my father-in-law awake on a nightly basis.

i have a share in 10 karaoke machines. no apologies.