Full-moon party only at Haad Rin
Suwannee Bundisak,
Kornkamol Aksorndech
The Sunday Nation

KOH PHA-NGAN: -- All public parties in the Koh Pha-ngan district in Surat Thani province - except the full-moon party at Haad Rin - have been banned to "prevent crime and vices".

The move follows the gruesome murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao, a nearby island, which are still under investigation.

Haad Rin is the original site on Pha-ngan Island where the world-renowned beach party has been held on full moon nights.

The province's Governor Chatpong Chatphuti consulted Surat Thani Army commander Maj-General Kleukul Inchan and related officials to find long-term crime-prevention measures. This lead to the district office cancelling all beach parties except the one event. With the country still under martial law, all sides - including business operators - reportedly agreed.

The governor's order also makes it mandatory to seek his approval via the district office for any event to be hosted on a beach or public space. The order cites prevention of crime and vices as the reason for banning parties, after the Koh Tao killings hammered the country's image and tourism.

Meanwhile, Koh Tao residents joined in a vegetarian festival for the second day yesterday and said they prayed for the good health of Their Majesties the King and Queen while also making merit for the two British tourists killed in September. The festival runs until November 1.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Police Area 5 yesterday held a meeting of nine police stations under its jurisdiction to beef up security for tourists.

Following the meeting, area deputy chief Pol Colonel Somneuk Noikhong told the press that the meeting followed instructions from the National Council for Peace and Order for additional measures to promote tourism by restoring visitors' confidence to visit Thailand during the upcoming high season.

The measures include a through checking of the car/motorbike rental businesses at tourist areas; checking ferry/boat businesses to strictly observe safety protocol; checking tour bus and taxi operators to ensure the drivers had a licence, they were sober and passengers were given insurance cover.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Full-moon-party-only-at-Haad-Rin-30246258.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-26

More crime and vice goes on at the real full moon party than all the others put together anyway.

All of these 'full moon' parties should be banned by the central government.

By placing a ban on all activities except the full moon party aren't they suggestin with this action that no one is safe there? That the killings may happen again because either they can not protect the tourist or because they know the real killers are still free?

Although i have never been to Khao Tao nor to a full moon party i have heard about them, including all about the drugs offered there. What kind if party will it be if its surrounded by the Bib?

I certainly would not waste my time and money to find out with so many other places here i could go without fear of being killed or persecuted.

All of these 'full moon' parties should be banned by the central government.

Grumpy old man award... This ban is just the Govts way of saying they are clueless, the KT murder was not related to a "party" ...it was a random crime possible anywhere at any time.

Isn't the obvious answer to ban Burmese entering Thailand, as they seem to be the ones committing all the crimes?

regulation of some sort must be a good thing

banning is a bit extreme

Ban it anyway it's full of idiots both Thai and farang, and neither respect the beach as it always ends up full of junk,

Nuke the place.

How about sorting out the mafia families that run the vast majority of businesses on the islands and totally control the police and probably the entire regional law system.

This will only work if they then develop, maintain, police and secure the site at Haad Rin. With sufficient facilities, security and safe transport they could turn this into a mini-Ibiza....which will lose its charm but allow them to effectively manage and police the events. This will also allow people who want nothing to do with it to place a big red "X" on their Thailand maps and work around that.

Sadly these events have grown out of proportion and have little to do with the original concepts. This is true all over the world and is why many of us just lost interest over time.

The most effective policing I ever saw at an illegal rave was on a beach near Brighton. At 1am the police came down and got us to switch off the music. They told us all that they were going to turn a blind eye as long as we finished at 6am, worked with the local government environmental team to keep the volume to an acceptable level and left quietly. They told us that they would be stationed about 1 mile up the road and were there if needed. No more trouble for the rest of the night, great atmosphere and THE most orderly and respectful clean up ever. Nobody left with their stereos blaring and the police informed us that they'd received no more complaints. All it took? 2 policemen with the brains to work it out. That's never going to happen here.

How long will this ban last?

The army already visited kpn and banned all parties but the FTP 3 months ago. It took less than a month to get back to normal. This process is standard when a new police chief is appointed. Guess what happens in the few weeks when parties are not allowed?

Well this will help tourism!! Like or hate these parties, its what a lot of the students come here to take part in. I'm sure the young ens will be swerving Thailand altogether now, and heading straight to Cambo.

been there 20 years ago and i really enjoyed it.

would i go now?no because i am to old and enjoy other things in my life.

would i go if i were young again-certainly.

please older fellows don't forget your youth.(before you turned grumpy)

All of these 'full moon' parties should be banned by the central government.

Grumpy old man award... This ban is just the Govts way of saying they are clueless, the KT murder was not related to a "party" ...it was a random crime possible anywhere at any time.

Do you get rape and murder at rave parties in your home country,maybe the occasional bit of trouble,but nothing to the extent you get here.Hope none of your family suffer a similar fate as the 2 young innocent holiday makers.If being a grumpy old man helps to save a life then I am a grumpy old man.There is a word for people like you "SYCOPHANT".

This will only work if they then develop, maintain, police and secure the site at Haad Rin. With sufficient facilities, security and safe transport they could turn this into a mini-Ibiza....which will lose its charm but allow them to effectively manage and police the events. This will also allow people who want nothing to do with it to place a big red "X" on their Thailand maps and work around that.

Sadly these events have grown out of proportion and have little to do with the original concepts. This is true all over the world and is why many of us just lost interest over time.

The most effective policing I ever saw at an illegal rave was on a beach near Brighton. At 1am the police came down and got us to switch off the music. They told us all that they were going to turn a blind eye as long as we finished at 6am, worked with the local government environmental team to keep the volume to an acceptable level and left quietly. They told us that they would be stationed about 1 mile up the road and were there if needed. No more trouble for the rest of the night, great atmosphere and THE most orderly and respectful clean up ever. Nobody left with their stereos blaring and the police informed us that they'd received no more complaints. All it took? 2 policemen with the brains to work it out. That's never going to happen here.

Just the same as Songkran, which has also grown out of control and is now long past it's use by date.

"Two policemen with the brains to work it out." Absolutely will never happen in Thailand.

Banning parties will stop people going there in the first place, so this policy might well reduce crime.

Do you get rape and murder at rave parties in your home country,maybe the occasional bit of trouble,but nothing to the extent you get here.Hope none of your family suffer a similar fate as the 2 young innocent holiday makers.If being a grumpy old man helps to save a life then I am a grumpy old man.There is a word for people like you "SYCOPHANT".

Are you out of your mind? What does the murder of 2 holiday makers have to do with FMP? Are you aware that murders happened at Ko Tao, not Ko Phangan? And the funniest part is, you are thinking that by being a grumpy old man you are saving lifes, lol.

And for your question, yes, although the rape on Ko Tao has nothing to do with FMP, people get raped at raves and festivals in Europe. For example, this summer a young girl was raped at Reading Festival, here is the link: http://news.sky.com/story/1323121/boy-arrested-after-reading-festival-rape

This has nothing to do about being in Thailand or Europe. You are just another grumpy old man trying to put more blame on Thailand than it deserves. Some people do horrible things when they are high, but majority of people have a good time at those parties.

Banning of other parties is a very unluck move, just a show off by the authorities so they seem like they are doing something. KPN is usually not very crowded, but close to the FMP thousands of crazy teenagers flock to the island and the majority leaves just afterwards. Black Moon Party, Half Moon Party, Jungle Experience etc attracts a much more mature and responsible crowd, and you rarely encounter any problems.

The Full Moon Party should have been shut down years ago. One reason the crime. Second reason . Just to many stupid clueless foreigners. I will have a party myself the day i hear it is shut down. Curious how many have died over the years that have not been reported. The island mafia won,t be very happy about it. I say it is time to SHUT IT DOWN! Would not break my heart to see that entire bunch out of Thailand.

Has nothing to do with being old or grumpy. That bunch is nothing more than morons who can care less about Thailand or its customs. Thailand would be far better off without them. Just proves to the Thais how stupid foreigners are. Vang Vieng Laos has improved greatly since the bars were torn down and that bunch tossed out. Many rapes and murders because the tourists are just too fracking dumb and clueless besides drunk. SHUT IT DOWN !

Do you get rape and murder at rave parties in your home country,maybe the occasional bit of trouble,but nothing to the extent you get here.Hope none of your family suffer a similar fate as the 2 young innocent holiday makers.If being a grumpy old man helps to save a life then I am a grumpy old man.There is a word for people like you "SYCOPHANT".

Are you out of your mind? What does the murder of 2 holiday makers have to do with FMP? Are you aware that murders happened at Ko Tao, not Ko Phangan? And the funniest part is, you are thinking that by being a grumpy old man you are saving lifes, lol.

And for your question, yes, although the rape on Ko Tao has nothing to do with FMP, people get raped at raves and festivals in Europe. For example, this summer a young girl was raped at Reading Festival, here is the link: http://news.sky.com/story/1323121/boy-arrested-after-reading-festival-rape

This has nothing to do about being in Thailand or Europe. You are just another grumpy old man trying to put more blame on Thailand than it deserves. Some people do horrible things when they are high, but majority of people have a good time at those parties.

Banning of other parties is a very unluck move, just a show off by the authorities so they seem like they are doing something. KPN is usually not very crowded, but close to the FMP thousands of crazy teenagers flock to the island and the majority leaves just afterwards. Black Moon Party, Half Moon Party, Jungle Experience etc attracts a much more mature and responsible crowd, and you rarely encounter any problems.

been there 20 years ago and i really enjoyed it.

would i go now?no because i am to old and enjoy other things in my life.

would i go if i were young again-certainly.

please older fellows don't forget your youth.(before you turned grumpy)

I have been a full on clubber since i was 17, (i'm 40 now) i still love clubs and house music. I have DJ'd on and off all these years also. The only reason i have never been to a full moon party is because i am not a fan of beaches and would find them uncomfortable. I'm also not that big a fan of backpackers either.

Those that criticize these events really are sad indaviduals. There is next to no trouble at gigs like this as everyone is there to enjoy themselves. Drugs..?? I could care less what someone said., i hammered E's through the 90's and absolutely love them, they along with global clubbing made me a better person. This's something many on here won't understand....

Good post Mr Chef

The Full Moon Party should have been shut down years ago. One reason the crime. Second reason . Just to many stupid clueless foreigners. I will have a party myself the day i hear it is shut down. Curious how many have died over the years that have not been reported. The island mafia won,t be very happy about it. I say it is time to SHUT IT DOWN! Would not break my heart to see that entire bunch out of Thailand.

The number one reason for farang related crime in Thailand is grumpy old man coming to Thailand for sex with young girls, not backpackers coming to Thailand to have good time.

Look at Pattaya, you can find mafias from every part of the world there, it is a real s. hole with regular murders every week. So if a bunch has to be out of Thailand it is not backpackers, it is the sex fueled grumpy old men bunch.

All of these 'full moon' parties should be banned by the central government.

Grumpy old man award... This ban is just the Govts way of saying they are clueless, the KT murder was not related to a "party" ...it was a random crime possible anywhere at any time.

Do you get rape and murder at rave parties in your home country,maybe the occasional bit of trouble,but nothing to the extent you get here.Hope none of your family suffer a similar fate as the 2 young innocent holiday makers.If being a grumpy old man helps to save a life then I am a grumpy old man.There is a word for people like you "SYCOPHANT".

How often to horrific killings like this happen? Also this did not happen at a full moon gig...????

Agree the sex tourists are not very bright either. As far as murders in Pattaya they are far more common than get reported for likely daily. FMP morons and sex tourists = about the same. Alcoholics and morons .

The Full Moon Party should have been shut down years ago. One reason the crime. Second reason . Just to many stupid clueless foreigners. I will have a party myself the day i hear it is shut down. Curious how many have died over the years that have not been reported. The island mafia won,t be very happy about it. I say it is time to SHUT IT DOWN! Would not break my heart to see that entire bunch out of Thailand.

The number one reason for farang related crime in Thailand is grumpy old man coming to Thailand for sex with young girls, not backpackers coming to Thailand to have good time.

Look at Pattaya, you can find mafias from every part of the world there, it is a real s. hole with regular murders every week. So if a bunch has to be out of Thailand it is not backpackers, it is the sex fueled grumpy old men bunch.

Most TVF members wouldn't go to such a party as they'd look out if place amongst all the young ones !! But don't have like to comment on the things they( youngsters ) consider fun and a right of passage!!

Laughable really also considering it doesn't interfere in their daily lives either in Nakhon nowhere waiting for their pension cheques!!

Let's just go one step further and ban all nightclubbing and any sort of social partying shall we? It's not like nobody has ever been assaulted or murdered inside or outside such a location has there ??

Agree nuke the place add Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui and the other islands ,Koh Phi Phi . Where have i forgotten ?

Ban it anyway it's full of idiots both Thai and farang, and neither respect the beach as it always ends up full of junk,

Nuke the place.

Agree nuke the place add Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui and the other islands ,Koh Phi Phi . Where have i forgotten ?

Ban it anyway it's full of idiots both Thai and farang, and neither respect the beach as it always ends up full of junk,

Nuke the place.

Your home

Do you get rape and murder at rave parties in your home country,maybe the occasional bit of trouble,but nothing to the extent you get here.Hope none of your family suffer a similar fate as the 2 young innocent holiday makers.If being a grumpy old man helps to save a life then I am a grumpy old man.There is a word for people like you "SYCOPHANT".

Are you out of your mind? What does the murder of 2 holiday makers have to do with FMP? Are you aware that murders happened at Ko Tao, not Ko Phangan? And the funniest part is, you are thinking that by being a grumpy old man you are saving lifes, lol.

And for your question, yes, although the rape on Ko Tao has nothing to do with FMP, people get raped at raves and festivals in Europe. For example, this summer a young girl was raped at Reading Festival, here is the link: http://news.sky.com/story/1323121/boy-arrested-after-reading-festival-rape

This has nothing to do about being in Thailand or Europe. You are just another grumpy old man trying to put more blame on Thailand than it deserves. Some people do horrible things when they are high, but majority of people have a good time at those parties.

Banning of other parties is a very unluck move, just a show off by the authorities so they seem like they are doing something. KPN is usually not very crowded, but close to the FMP thousands of crazy teenagers flock to the island and the majority leaves just afterwards. Black Moon Party, Half Moon Party, Jungle Experience etc attracts a much more mature and responsible crowd, and you rarely encounter any problems.

To be honest mate it's most likely predators that are not high that commit these cimes. They take advantage of someone they see is out of it.

All of these 'full moon' parties should be banned by the central government.

Grumpy old man award... This ban is just the Govts way of saying they are clueless, the KT murder was not related to a "party" ...it was a random crime possible anywhere at any time.

Do you get rape and murder at rave parties in your home country,maybe the occasional bit of trouble,but nothing to the extent you get here.Hope none of your family suffer a similar fate as the 2 young innocent holiday makers.If being a grumpy old man helps to save a life then I am a grumpy old man.There is a word for people like you "SYCOPHANT".

How many of thee types of party have you been to and witnesses these despicable crimes you talk about ? So no rapes or attacks happen on social parties on the mainland then ?

There's a word for people like you to "boring "

There was NO connection to KPN or any full moon party that attributed to the murder of Hannah and David!!!

On behalf of all the MAS posters who commented on my posts,I would like to say a big thank you.You just confirmed my original opinion of you.I will leave it up to you to work it out.

On behalf of all the MAS posters who commented on my posts,I would like to say a big thank you.You just confirmed my original opinion of you.I will leave it up to you to work it out.

Chill out Elmer... it's just a forum.