Full-moon party only at Haad Rin

[MobileContent]

Beach parties banned throughout Surat Thani province

KOH SAMUI: -- Five weeks after the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on Koh Tao Thaweesak Inthaphrom, chief of the Koh Phangan district office received a letter from Govenor Chatpong Chatphuti ordering him to prohibit any beach parties on the islands throughout the province.

The only party that will not be affected by the ban is the Full Moon party on Haad Rin Beach in Koh Phanang, due to its worldwide appeal and popularity among tourists.

Mr. Chatpong said that the reason behind the ban is to put a stop to the illegal activity and vice that has been risking the nations reputation, he went on to say that events such as the half moon and black moon party were often responsible for problems affecting tourism and Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha last week said it was time to restore order on the province’s islands. Reports suggest that part of the problem is that many of these parties are held in secluded areas where the police are unable to offer party goers much protection.

The order banning beach parties has been relayed by the Koh Phangan district office to various agencies and the police have removed posters put up around the islands advertising the events, this includes the coming Black Moon, Jungle Moon and Experience Moon parties.

Prawut Thawornsiri, spokesman of the National Police Office, said police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang had instructed police officers across the country to ensure the safety of tourists as Thailand heads into high season and said that better records must also be kept of the number of people arriving as well as where they stay during their visit, this kind of information is very useful for the tourist police who handle security in the event of security issues. Volunteers are also being recruited to help the police maintain order in popular destinations.

-- Samui Times 2014-10-27

I think it is a good move. I have never participated at those parties but I know people's who have been and they went for some good grass and magic mushrooms.

I mean come on some Isaan guy goes to to jail for having been court with 1/2g of ganya and on KP dealers are all over the place and sell drugs openly. Remembers me on those gnya bars on Khaosan Road who share the profits with the BIB of Khaosan police station.

A lot of influential people will loose money.

[mojorison]

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

Impossible, too many mafias, big ones and local ones, starting with the brown one, and the Israëli too in Had Rin, would lose too much filthy money, too many problems...

You're out of touch. The Israelis have not been players in Hadrin for at least 3 years. Their numbers have been decimated, and for the most part the Israeli market comprises of lower top end travellers. Families looking for cheap 4 star accommodations.

[mojorison]

Let me tell you ill-informed TV readers, this has been a long time in the making, and if true, and enforced, will bring a massive change to the fortunes of many small, hard working business people on KPG. The Thai methodology for starting a new business is to simply imitate an existing one that appears to be successful. Hence the proliferation of parties on the island. Someone thought the FMP would be swell, and I guess it was for considerable years. Then a guy called Jan started the Black moon at greenpeace bungalows... that was about 20 years ago. He had issues and left, leaving a fair amount of time until Mac picked up the BMP. In the time since, we have added the half moon, shivamoon, Loy lay, jungle experience and a host of other more obscure entities, like the pirate moon etc. Each of them has an after party, through the day, in effect doubling the already mind numbing number of parties. The problem is that to expand a party business. all you can do is have more parties. And this became like a cancer.

I might add that the PHA (Phangan hotels association) was set up about 2 years ago to counter the impact the parties were having on the island's marketability. Read between the lines. The common thread is that most business people would be better off without the parties. Business would flourish. Vice and crime would decline (because of the sub-culture that is magnetized to the party scene... hookers pimps pushers, mugs, thugs, buggerers etc). The parties for so long have served a very few people. Needless to say they are not always very nice people, that's why our german mate was shot in the ass... they were not aiming for his ass. The aspiration is to attract a higher calibre of tourist. Families etc. The party environment is totally the antithesis of family friendliness.

No one cares about Hadrin, so they can slash and burn and do what they want... but when they start having mind bending raves in the middle of the village, 200 meters away from the school, keeping everyone awake at night, I think it's fair to say they have gone too far. I could tell you a million stories about this... but can't be bothered. FWIW the FMP is closely tied to the monk. This is easily established fact if you know the families.

[JoeLing]

while also making merit for the two British tourists killed in September. The festival runs until November 1

Yep here we go again. Make merit then do the dirty deeds again.

Dirty deeds?

What's wrong with a vegetarian food festival?

Edited October 27, 2014 by JoeLing

[Anthony5]

Beach parties banned throughout Surat Thani province

I suggest they send the announcement to all TAT offices abroad, next announce a 50% increase in tourist arrivals

Edited October 27, 2014 by Anthony5

[Kru Baa]

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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.

As they should. If these events have shown anything it is that Thailand is not safe for foreigners especially young women. Parties like this have always been hunting grounds for preditors looking for young naive college girls, drugging them and taking advantage. In Thailand it seems that the predators are the ones in power not just a fringe group of scumbags.

[Jungle Jim]

Well i guess you must enjoy cleaning up their mess. So stop complaining about the garbage. Your not making any sense. You complain about the garbage and the just insult. Want to stop the garbage stop the FMP! Easy !

I agree its really bad. The Thais are slobs and the FMP brats are no better. LAZY , SELFISH . Perhaps shutting down the FMP might help some of your problems unless you enjoy cleaning up after their mess for the rest of your life. But don,t worry i seriously believe mother nature will finish us all off within twenty years. We are like a cancer.

The amount of times I have cleared shit up on beaches in Thailand is numerous.

TBH I am surprised I haven't been arrested for working without a work permit free of charge clearing up broken bottles in the sand, rusty tin lids etc...free of charge.

What I despise is lazyness and lack of respect for nature, lets just throw our shit here on this nice beach.

Is there a dr here?.....grumpy jim is in serious need of some medication.

[Jungle Jim]

Well for speaking the truth you will likely get harassed now by this gang of pro FMP head bangers. Foreigners have drugged more than a few girls also don,t forget. Walking around half naked and drunk does,nt help matters either. It's all about common sense. Sadly few seem to have it. PARTY ON !!!!!!

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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.

As they should. If these events have shown anything it is that Thailand is not safe for foreigners especially young women. Parties like this have always been hunting grounds for preditors looking for young naive college girls, drugging them and taking advantage. In Thailand it seems that the predators are the ones in power not just a fringe group of scumbags.

[ParadiseLost]

I think it is a good move. I have never participated at those parties but I know people's who have been and they went for some good grass and magic mushrooms.

I mean come on some Isaan guy goes to to jail for having been court with 1/2g of ganya and on KP dealers are all over the place and sell drugs openly. Remembers me on those gnya bars on Khaosan Road who share the profits with the BIB of Khaosan police station.

A lot of influential people will loose money.

As you say, you have never participated at those parties, Have you been to Koh Phangan?

Your friends who went for good grass and magic mushrooms could get that where you live too, if they really wanted to. As you point out, 'some Isaan guy goes to jail..."

The reality is that it is dangerous to buy and/or carry drugs on KP as the police love to entrap and extort money, and boy are they good at it. There are loads of roadblocks, for a start.

Chances are, if someone approaches you with something to sell, he/she is either a plain clothes RTP, or a shill who was caught earlier (could even be a westerner). Then again it could be an aspirin and you will feel great in the morning. Very seldom will you get what you are paying for.

Tourists land up paying police 'fines' of 60,000 baht if caught with a single joint, to avoid prosecution - very easy money...

[Fat Haggis]

Jim it sounds like your either permanent on KPN and have to so a clean up every time and I'f that's indeed tht case you do get a bit of sympathy from me, however if you're not there, then really you have no dog in the fight so to speak and if your speaking on behalf of friends DON'T as they can do so themselves they can register on here and complain all the desire, but they don't need you to be their voice, I never get anyone to post on my behalf

[JoeLing]

Bugger,
Will I need to cancel the wedding party we organised on a public beach?
What's about the various public children parties on the beach?

Well suppose, songkran got more and more restrictions.
Loy Kratong got more and more restrictions.

So why not just restrict anything that could be fun.

All in order to bring happiness back to the people.

[Jungle Jim]

That beach no. I have enough beaches and alleys to clean to keep me busy for a life time. Been to KPN and Samui enough only to visit family and then get the hell off the island. Those islands for me were paradise lost long long ago. But the last PM had a great idea. Build a bridge to Samui. Guess she planned to build a huge parking lot on the mountain tops. The island needs a two tier road for traffic as it is. Maybe even a toll way just like Bangkok.

Jim it sounds like your either permanent on KPN and have to so a clean up every time and I'f that's indeed tht case you do get a bit of sympathy from me, however if you're not there, then really you have no dog in the fight so to speak and if your speaking on behalf of friends DON'T as they can do so themselves they can register on here and complain all the desire, but they don't need you to be their voice, I never get anyone to post on my behalf

[ukrules]

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

I see Surat Thani has now banned beach parties.

[ukrules]

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

Impossible, too many mafias, big ones and local ones, starting with the brown one, and the Israëli too in Had Rin, would lose too much filthy money, too many problems...

Lets see how long the newly announced ban lasts for then.

[Jungle Jim]

Thank God it is about time. I bet the mafia is pissed.

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

I see Surat Thani has now banned beach parties.

[Neeranam]

I feel a bit sad as when I came here in 1992 I went straight to Haad Rin beach where there were only two bars and one nightclub. I paid 60 baht for my bungalow right on the beach and got right into the party mood for 6 weeks. Even back then there was danger - 2 foreigners were beheaded but probably never made the headlines. I remember watching a drug deal as a senior policeman watched on.

Even with all the drugs and all the people, a lot less than today I bet, and all the gangster cops, there was very little trouble. Imagine having that kinda party on the Isle of Bute or Aberdeen beach. There would be many serious assaults every night.

2 years later my buddy went there and took a lot of drugs. he appeared on my doorstep in Bangkok saying the mafia were after him. That guy Sean reminds me so much of my mate. They burned down his bungalow, with him inside. He jumped through burning bamboo and of course they wanted 150,000 baht for the damage. They wouldn't give him his passport back so he got a fisherman to take him to Samui. When we went to the british Embassy a couple of days later, some of the 'family' were waiting. He managed to get into the embassy and not let them in and escaped later with a new passport.

These people really hold a grudge against tourists that make them lose face. So do mafia everywhere but..

it's probably a lot safer these days with all the social media police and CCTV. I have a few stories that would shock you. I knew one guy who had just come back from Singapore who boasted about how he had stashed his heroin in the backpack of an English student and was lucky he did as she got nabbed by customs.

Yes, these days Thailand is much safer IMO, but attracts a whole new type of tourist. Cledwyn the Chiropodist from Cardiff would never have come 20 years ago or Donal the Dental technician from Dublin. I would be surprised if Schorch the retired Lars the retired lolipop man from Lichenstein went down to Koh Pa Ngan these days.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Neeranam

[spidermike007]

The Thai police have now lost tens of millions of baht per year on this ban. What are they going to do? Does anyone feel sympathy from them, other than the family members living in the villas and condos? Not me. No money to extort. Nobody to arrest and fine 100,000 baht for smoking a joint. Wow. Tough times for these guys.

[epicstuff]

Let me tell you ill-informed TV readers, this has been a long time in the making, and if true, and enforced, will bring a massive change to the fortunes of many small, hard working business people on KPG. The Thai methodology for starting a new business is to simply imitate an existing one that appears to be successful. Hence the proliferation of parties on the island. Someone thought the FMP would be swell, and I guess it was for considerable years. Then a guy called Jan started the Black moon at greenpeace bungalows... that was about 20 years ago. He had issues and left, leaving a fair amount of time until Mac picked up the BMP. In the time since, we have added the half moon, shivamoon, Loy lay, jungle experience and a host of other more obscure entities, like the pirate moon etc. Each of them has an after party, through the day, in effect doubling the already mind numbing number of parties. The problem is that to expand a party business. all you can do is have more parties. And this became like a cancer.

I might add that the PHA (Phangan hotels association) was set up about 2 years ago to counter the impact the parties were having on the island's marketability. Read between the lines. The common thread is that most business people would be better off without the parties. Business would flourish. Vice and crime would decline (because of the sub-culture that is magnetized to the party scene... hookers pimps pushers, mugs, thugs, buggerers etc). The parties for so long have served a very few people. Needless to say they are not always very nice people, that's why our german mate was shot in the ass... they were not aiming for his ass. The aspiration is to attract a higher calibre of tourist. Families etc. The party environment is totally the antithesis of family friendliness.

No one cares about Hadrin, so they can slash and burn and do what they want... but when they start having mind bending raves in the middle of the village, 200 meters away from the school, keeping everyone awake at night, I think it's fair to say they have gone too far. I could tell you a million stories about this... but can't be bothered. FWIW the FMP is closely tied to the monk. This is easily established fact if you know the families.

Although I cant disagree with what you say but an overall ban is a big shame .

It is only the FMP that is dangerous and many problems arise . There is obviously an issue of day to day life for locals , children at schools being effected by drugged up zombies and loud music. I believe there should be some kind of overall planning involved or Zoning as to where these parties should take place and maybe organized transport for them to avoid the accidents in the morning to counter those issues. Mac's BMP is very close to a school. and so many after parties are probably not so good for local life to live around, particularly as these people are really mashed by the time they leave, but others have carved out niches far out in the jungle away from inconvenience to locals and kids. and IMO makes for better venues than hard to dance on sandy beaches. But then I am getting to old for these big parties as I discovered last time I was there preferring the smaller gatherings at random bar/ parties around the place.

But I would have thought if the FMP is currently unstoppable, more party venues to offer better all month business for small business operators and reduce the pressure or need for FMP. the only way things will change with the FMP is if the party becomes unvogue... I think it is close to that now. too many kids, a lack of quality. someone on a earlier post compared the FMP to the old raves back home . but IMO they are a million miles off. The level of service and quality was way better back then I've never found a party in Thailand that comes close to what we that were lucky enough to grow up in the late 80's early 90's in the uk and across Europe experienced. Fashion comes and goes quickly and can be manipulated easily.. Thats the way forward..

.. The big businesses want shot of the parties because they can make more money from 4 star tourism with families and high budget travellers. but there are dozens of locations like that in Thailand already ,Samui, Phuket, the list goes on . I believe Thailand is on the map as a great destination because there is something for everyone A hedonistic party island isn't everyones cup of tea but dont take it away from those that want to blow off some steam in crazy carefree fashion.. and turn it into just another family resort Island.

[epicstuff]

I feel a bit sad as when I came here in 1992 I went straight to Haad Rin beach where there were only two bars and one nightclub. I paid 60 baht for my bungalow right on the beach and got right into the party mood for 6 weeks. Even back then there was danger - 2 foreigners were beheaded but probably never made the headlines. I remember watching a drug deal as a senior policeman watched on.

Even with all the drugs and all the people, a lot less than today I bet, and all the gangster cops, there was very little trouble. Imagine having that kinda party on the Isle of Bute or Aberdeen beach. There would be many serious assaults every night.

2 years later my buddy went there and took a lot of drugs. he appeared on my doorstep in Bangkok saying the mafia were after him. That guy Sean reminds me so much of my mate. They burned down his bungalow, with him inside. He jumped through burning bamboo and of course they wanted 150,000 baht for the damage. They wouldn't give him his passport back so he got a fisherman to take him to Samui. When we went to the british Embassy a couple of days later, some of the 'family' were waiting. He managed to get into the embassy and not let them in and escaped later with a new passport.

These people really hold a grudge against tourists that make them lose face. So do mafia everywhere but..

it's probably a lot safer these days with all the social media police and CCTV. I have a few stories that would shock you. I knew one guy who had just come back from Singapore who boasted about how he had stashed his heroin in the backpack of an English student and was lucky he did as she got nabbed by customs.

Yes, these days Thailand is much safer IMO, but attracts a whole new type of tourist. Cledwyn the Chiropodist from Cardiff would never have come 20 years ago or Donal the Dental technician from Dublin. I would be surprised if Schorch the retired Lars the retired lolipop man from Lichenstein went down to Koh Pa Ngan these days.

your right an unregulated party that size in the uk would attract more trouble than I see at the FMP. sure plenty of trouble exists. but ok on a busy time of the year what is the turn out maybe 100,000 not sure the figures.

So you get half a dozen people sip off some rocks during the night off their tits and have to spend a few grand in the local hospital. maybe 20 or 30 pissed up lads get into a confrontation with some locals and have to do the same after a bottle to the head, Maybe a handful of rapes might occur, no real statistics on it but it wouldnt surprise me but out of 100,000 probably the same number of people will have a fatal car crash within the next 12 month. the most likely problem of all is being pick pocketed by a lady boy but then if you are stupid enough to carry more than you are willing to lose to a FMP you half deserve it.

[ParadiseLost]

@mojorisin "because of the sub-culture that is magnetized to the party scene... hookers pimps pushers, mugs, thugs, buggerers etc)"

Buggerers?

I'd love to know what could possibly make up your 'etc'...

[ParadiseLost]

I feel a bit sad as when I came here in 1992 I went straight to Haad Rin beach where there were only two bars and one nightclub. I paid 60 baht for my bungalow right on the beach and got right into the party mood for 6 weeks. Even back then there was danger - 2 foreigners were beheaded but probably never made the headlines. I remember watching a drug deal as a senior policeman watched on.

Even with all the drugs and all the people, a lot less than today I bet, and all the gangster cops, there was very little trouble. Imagine having that kinda party on the Isle of Bute or Aberdeen beach. There would be many serious assaults every night.

2 years later my buddy went there and took a lot of drugs. he appeared on my doorstep in Bangkok saying the mafia were after him. That guy Sean reminds me so much of my mate. They burned down his bungalow, with him inside. He jumped through burning bamboo and of course they wanted 150,000 baht for the damage. They wouldn't give him his passport back so he got a fisherman to take him to Samui. When we went to the british Embassy a couple of days later, some of the 'family' were waiting. He managed to get into the embassy and not let them in and escaped later with a new passport.

These people really hold a grudge against tourists that make them lose face. So do mafia everywhere but..

it's probably a lot safer these days with all the social media police and CCTV. I have a few stories that would shock you. I knew one guy who had just come back from Singapore who boasted about how he had stashed his heroin in the backpack of an English student and was lucky he did as she got nabbed by customs.

Yes, these days Thailand is much safer IMO, but attracts a whole new type of tourist. Cledwyn the Chiropodist from Cardiff would never have come 20 years ago or Donal the Dental technician from Dublin. I would be surprised if Schorch the retired Lars the retired lolipop man from Lichenstein went down to Koh Pa Ngan these days.

your right an unregulated party that size in the uk would attract more trouble than I see at the FMP. sure plenty of trouble exists. but ok on a busy time of the year what is the turn out maybe 100,000 not sure the figures.

So you get half a dozen people sip off some rocks during the night off their tits and have to spend a few grand in the local hospital. maybe 20 or 30 pissed up lads get into a confrontation with some locals and have to do the same after a bottle to the head, Maybe a handful of rapes might occur, no real statistics on it but it wouldnt surprise me but out of 100,000 probably the same number of people will have a fatal car crash within the next 12 month. the most likely problem of all is being pick pocketed by a lady boy but then if you are stupid enough to carry more than you are willing to lose to a FMP you half deserve it.

I think a realistic number would be 25,000 to 30,000, once or twice a year. Right now, in the middle of low season 3,000 to 4,000 would be a good estimation.

The rest is as you say, but people want to believe it is the devil's playground.

Of course, some looking after their own interests would like to see the island transformed into a family destination, but the numbers would drop to 10% and how would that sustain an entire island? They might have considered this before they invested so much money here...

Things may have gotten out of hand; instead of banning parties why not address the real problems. I see very few complaints here about bad things people have actually experienced - it's always 'a friend' or 'know someone' or 'heard of'...

[Jungle Jim]

Just a few rapes here and there, maybe some good beatings and likely less than a few deaths every year. Sound like enough reason to shut it down right there. But some selfish jerks both male and female and the local mafia think it should continue. Just about anywhere else it would have been shut down years ago.

I feel a bit sad as when I came here in 1992 I went straight to Haad Rin beach where there were only two bars and one nightclub. I paid 60 baht for my bungalow right on the beach and got right into the party mood for 6 weeks. Even back then there was danger - 2 foreigners were beheaded but probably never made the headlines. I remember watching a drug deal as a senior policeman watched on.

Even with all the drugs and all the people, a lot less than today I bet, and all the gangster cops, there was very little trouble. Imagine having that kinda party on the Isle of Bute or Aberdeen beach. There would be many serious assaults every night.

2 years later my buddy went there and took a lot of drugs. he appeared on my doorstep in Bangkok saying the mafia were after him. That guy Sean reminds me so much of my mate. They burned down his bungalow, with him inside. He jumped through burning bamboo and of course they wanted 150,000 baht for the damage. They wouldn't give him his passport back so he got a fisherman to take him to Samui. When we went to the british Embassy a couple of days later, some of the 'family' were waiting. He managed to get into the embassy and not let them in and escaped later with a new passport.

These people really hold a grudge against tourists that make them lose face. So do mafia everywhere but..

it's probably a lot safer these days with all the social media police and CCTV. I have a few stories that would shock you. I knew one guy who had just come back from Singapore who boasted about how he had stashed his heroin in the backpack of an English student and was lucky he did as she got nabbed by customs.

Yes, these days Thailand is much safer IMO, but attracts a whole new type of tourist. Cledwyn the Chiropodist from Cardiff would never have come 20 years ago or Donal the Dental technician from Dublin. I would be surprised if Schorch the retired Lars the retired lolipop man from Lichenstein went down to Koh Pa Ngan these days.

your right an unregulated party that size in the uk would attract more trouble than I see at the FMP. sure plenty of trouble exists. but ok on a busy time of the year what is the turn out maybe 100,000 not sure the figures.

So you get half a dozen people sip off some rocks during the night off their tits and have to spend a few grand in the local hospital. maybe 20 or 30 pissed up lads get into a confrontation with some locals and have to do the same after a bottle to the head, Maybe a handful of rapes might occur, no real statistics on it but it wouldnt surprise me but out of 100,000 probably the same number of people will have a fatal car crash within the next 12 month. the most likely problem of all is being pick pocketed by a lady boy but then if you are stupid enough to carry more than you are willing to lose to a FMP you half deserve it.

[JoeLing]

I feel a bit sad as when I came here in 1992 I went straight to Haad Rin beach where there were only two bars and one nightclub. I paid 60 baht for my bungalow right on the beach and got right into the party mood for 6 weeks. Even back then there was danger - 2 foreigners were beheaded but probably never made the headlines. I remember watching a drug deal as a senior policeman watched on.

Even with all the drugs and all the people, a lot less than today I bet, and all the gangster cops, there was very little trouble. Imagine having that kinda party on the Isle of Bute or Aberdeen beach. There would be many serious assaults every night.

2 years later my buddy went there and took a lot of drugs. he appeared on my doorstep in Bangkok saying the mafia were after him. That guy Sean reminds me so much of my mate. They burned down his bungalow, with him inside. He jumped through burning bamboo and of course they wanted 150,000 baht for the damage. They wouldn't give him his passport back so he got a fisherman to take him to Samui. When we went to the british Embassy a couple of days later, some of the 'family' were waiting. He managed to get into the embassy and not let them in and escaped later with a new passport.

These people really hold a grudge against tourists that make them lose face. So do mafia everywhere but..

it's probably a lot safer these days with all the social media police and CCTV. I have a few stories that would shock you. I knew one guy who had just come back from Singapore who boasted about how he had stashed his heroin in the backpack of an English student and was lucky he did as she got nabbed by customs.

Yes, these days Thailand is much safer IMO, but attracts a whole new type of tourist. Cledwyn the Chiropodist from Cardiff would never have come 20 years ago or Donal the Dental technician from Dublin. I would be surprised if Schorch the retired Lars the retired lolipop man from Lichenstein went down to Koh Pa Ngan these days.

your right an unregulated party that size in the uk would attract more trouble than I see at the FMP. sure plenty of trouble exists. but ok on a busy time of the year what is the turn out maybe 100,000 not sure the figures.

So you get half a dozen people sip off some rocks during the night off their tits and have to spend a few grand in the local hospital. maybe 20 or 30 pissed up lads get into a confrontation with some locals and have to do the same after a bottle to the head, Maybe a handful of rapes might occur, no real statistics on it but it wouldnt surprise me but out of 100,000 probably the same number of people will have a fatal car crash within the next 12 month. the most likely problem of all is being pick pocketed by a lady boy but then if you are stupid enough to carry more than you are willing to lose to a FMP you half deserve it.

I think a realistic number would be 25,000 to 30,000, once or twice a year. Right now, in the middle of low season 3,000 to 4,000 would be a good estimation.

The rest is as you say, but people want to believe it is the devil's playground.

Of course, some looking after their own interests would like to see the island transformed into a family destination, but the numbers would drop to 10% and how would that sustain an entire island? They might have considered this before they invested so much money here...

Things may have gotten out of hand; instead of banning parties why not address the real problems. I see very few complaints here about bad things people have actually experienced - it's always 'a friend' or 'know someone' or 'heard of'...

I would think there are around 25'000 to 35'000 for around 6 months of the year.

At low season maybe around 15'000 to 20'000 and during "no season", just under

10'000 people.

Last year the x-mas and new years party was an absolute record with over 80'000

bracelets being sold plus who knows how many people didn't have to pay. The

organisers estimate was around 120'000 people.

Now as for 'friends of friends' or 'know someone', do they not count?

I can say out of many years experience, I "know someone" more or less every time

there is a party who had a problem, ranging from motorbike accidents, lost flip-flops,

lost boyfriends, stolen passports, money or virginity BUT, most of the time, that was

exactly those youngsters who didn't take advice seriously and threw all the caution

in the wind.

Now funny enough, I have customers from all over the world but from the few people

I know who had problems at the parties, the majority are either British or Australians.

Could that be attributed to the British or Australians "Binge Drinking" culture?

[ParadiseLost]

I think a realistic number would be 25,000 to 30,000, once or twice a year. Right now, in the middle of low season 3,000 to 4,000 would be a good estimation.

The rest is as you say, but people want to believe it is the devil's playground.

Of course, some looking after their own interests would like to see the island transformed into a family destination, but the numbers would drop to 10% and how would that sustain an entire island? They might have considered this before they invested so much money here...

Things may have gotten out of hand; instead of banning parties why not address the real problems. I see very few complaints here about bad things people have actually experienced - it's always 'a friend' or 'know someone' or 'heard of'...

I would think there are around 25'000 to 35'000 for around 6 months of the year.

At low season maybe around 15'000 to 20'000 and during "no season", just under

10'000 people.

Last year the x-mas and new years party was an absolute record with over 80'000

bracelets being sold plus who knows how many people didn't have to pay. The

organisers estimate was around 120'000 people.

Now as for 'friends of friends' or 'know someone', do they not count?

I can say out of many years experience, I "know someone" more or less every time

there is a party who had a problem, ranging from motorbike accidents, lost flip-flops,

lost boyfriends, stolen passports, money or virginity BUT, most of the time, that was

exactly those youngsters who didn't take advice seriously and threw all the caution

in the wind.

Now funny enough, I have customers from all over the world but from the few people

I know who had problems at the parties, the majority are either British or Australians.

Could that be attributed to the British or Australians "Binge Drinking" culture?

I may well be a little out of touch - if those numbers are accurate I am not surprised it has gotten out of control... Cannot imagine where they all fit though as Had Rin beach has not changed size? It's been a few years since I was at one (Dec 24) and it was a big one - about 40k I believe was the estimate. I think it was 2010.

Yes, the 'friends of friends' comment you make is valid, however I am talking about real problems, involving serious assault. Perhaps I should have been clearer and said 'life threatening'. Don't want to argue the point though.

Concur on the binge drinkers - larger than life types often come down to earth with a bang...

Edit: October month was about 3,000 from what I have heard.

Edited October 29, 2014 by ParadiseLost

[Dogmatix]

Please ban all full moon parties and turn Koh Phangan and Koh Tao into national heritage sites where no permanent structures are allowed.

[JoeLing]

I think a realistic number would be 25,000 to 30,000, once or twice a year. Right now, in the middle of low season 3,000 to 4,000 would be a good estimation.

The rest is as you say, but people want to believe it is the devil's playground.

Of course, some looking after their own interests would like to see the island transformed into a family destination, but the numbers would drop to 10% and how would that sustain an entire island? They might have considered this before they invested so much money here...

Things may have gotten out of hand; instead of banning parties why not address the real problems. I see very few complaints here about bad things people have actually experienced - it's always 'a friend' or 'know someone' or 'heard of'...

I would think there are around 25'000 to 35'000 for around 6 months of the year.

At low season maybe around 15'000 to 20'000 and during "no season", just under

10'000 people.

Last year the x-mas and new years party was an absolute record with over 80'000

bracelets being sold plus who knows how many people didn't have to pay. The

organisers estimate was around 120'000 people.

Now as for 'friends of friends' or 'know someone', do they not count?

I can say out of many years experience, I "know someone" more or less every time

there is a party who had a problem, ranging from motorbike accidents, lost flip-flops,

lost boyfriends, stolen passports, money or virginity BUT, most of the time, that was

exactly those youngsters who didn't take advice seriously and threw all the caution

in the wind.

Now funny enough, I have customers from all over the world but from the few people

I know who had problems at the parties, the majority are either British or Australians.

Could that be attributed to the British or Australians "Binge Drinking" culture?

I may well be a little out of touch - if those numbers are accurate I am not surprised it has gotten out of control... Cannot imagine where they all fit though as Had Rin beach has not changed size? It's been a few years since I was at one (Dec 24) and it was a big one - about 40k I believe was the estimate. I think it was 2010.

Yes, the 'friends of friends' comment you make is valid, however I am talking about real problems, involving serious assault. Perhaps I should have been clearer and said 'life threatening'. Don't want to argue the point though.

Concur on the binge drinkers - larger than life types often come down to earth with a bang...

Edit: October month was about 3,000 from what I have heard.

I know, it's not easy to estimate just how many people there are at some of the parties but

considering that Hadrin beach alone can be anything between 3'200 sqm and 14'000 sqm

depending on the tide, i would say, with 3000 people, Hadrin would look pretty deserted.

I recon the 35'000 in average over the whole year might be fairly accurate ( +/- 5'000 )

Sure would be interesting to see monthly statistics on how many NEW bracelets have been

sold but I recon that's a secret as much as the monthly crime statistics here on the island.

What I think it's strange, the smaller parties on Koh Phangan are held on privat land, purpose

build with their own security and much less problems as the uncontrolled full moon party.

If you go to any of the purposed build parties, entrance fees are mostly all over 500 THB

compared to the 100 THB for the full moon party and one will see, there are only a fraction

of Thai or Burmese people inside those "private" party venues then at the full moon party

and crimes are a fraction of the full moon party too

BUT Thai logic (and greed) demands the organised, controlled parties to stop whilst the

'rough" full moon party is still allowed.

[jdinasia]

Just a few rapes here and there, maybe some good beatings and likely less than a few deaths every year. Sound like enough reason to shut it down right there. But some selfish jerks both male and female and the local mafia think it should continue. Just about anywhere else it would have been shut down years ago.

I feel a bit sad as when I came here in 1992 I went straight to Haad Rin beach where there were only two bars and one nightclub. I paid 60 baht for my bungalow right on the beach and got right into the party mood for 6 weeks. Even back then there was danger - 2 foreigners were beheaded but probably never made the headlines. I remember watching a drug deal as a senior policeman watched on.

Even with all the drugs and all the people, a lot less than today I bet, and all the gangster cops, there was very little trouble. Imagine having that kinda party on the Isle of Bute or Aberdeen beach. There would be many serious assaults every night.

2 years later my buddy went there and took a lot of drugs. he appeared on my doorstep in Bangkok saying the mafia were after him. That guy Sean reminds me so much of my mate. They burned down his bungalow, with him inside. He jumped through burning bamboo and of course they wanted 150,000 baht for the damage. They wouldn't give him his passport back so he got a fisherman to take him to Samui. When we went to the british Embassy a couple of days later, some of the 'family' were waiting. He managed to get into the embassy and not let them in and escaped later with a new passport.

These people really hold a grudge against tourists that make them lose face. So do mafia everywhere but..

it's probably a lot safer these days with all the social media police and CCTV. I have a few stories that would shock you. I knew one guy who had just come back from Singapore who boasted about how he had stashed his heroin in the backpack of an English student and was lucky he did as she got nabbed by customs.

Yes, these days Thailand is much safer IMO, but attracts a whole new type of tourist. Cledwyn the Chiropodist from Cardiff would never have come 20 years ago or Donal the Dental technician from Dublin. I would be surprised if Schorch the retired Lars the retired lolipop man from Lichenstein went down to Koh Pa Ngan these days.

your right an unregulated party that size in the uk would attract more trouble than I see at the FMP. sure plenty of trouble exists. but ok on a busy time of the year what is the turn out maybe 100,000 not sure the figures.

So you get half a dozen people sip off some rocks during the night off their tits and have to spend a few grand in the local hospital. maybe 20 or 30 pissed up lads get into a confrontation with some locals and have to do the same after a bottle to the head, Maybe a handful of rapes might occur, no real statistics on it but it wouldnt surprise me but out of 100,000 probably the same number of people will have a fatal car crash within the next 12 month. the most likely problem of all is being pick pocketed by a lady boy but then if you are stupid enough to carry more than you are willing to lose to a FMP you half deserve it.

Jim are you still trying to shut down every university in the world?

[Jungle Jim]

Not a bad idea really..

Please ban all full moon parties and turn Koh Phangan and Koh Tao into national heritage sites where no permanent structures are allowed.

[epicstuff]

I think a realistic number would be 25,000 to 30,000, once or twice a year. Right now, in the middle of low season 3,000 to 4,000 would be a good estimation.

The rest is as you say, but people want to believe it is the devil's playground.

Of course, some looking after their own interests would like to see the island transformed into a family destination, but the numbers would drop to 10% and how would that sustain an entire island? They might have considered this before they invested so much money here...

Things may have gotten out of hand; instead of banning parties why not address the real problems. I see very few complaints here about bad things people have actually experienced - it's always 'a friend' or 'know someone' or 'heard of'...

I would think there are around 25'000 to 35'000 for around 6 months of the year.

At low season maybe around 15'000 to 20'000 and during "no season", just under

10'000 people.

Last year the x-mas and new years party was an absolute record with over 80'000

bracelets being sold plus who knows how many people didn't have to pay. The

organisers estimate was around 120'000 people.

Now as for 'friends of friends' or 'know someone', do they not count?

I can say out of many years experience, I "know someone" more or less every time

there is a party who had a problem, ranging from motorbike accidents, lost flip-flops,

lost boyfriends, stolen passports, money or virginity BUT, most of the time, that was

exactly those youngsters who didn't take advice seriously and threw all the caution

in the wind.

Now funny enough, I have customers from all over the world but from the few people

I know who had problems at the parties, the majority are either British or Australians.

Could that be attributed to the British or Australians "Binge Drinking" culture?

I may well be a little out of touch - if those numbers are accurate I am not surprised it has gotten out of control... Cannot imagine where they all fit though as Had Rin beach has not changed size? It's been a few years since I was at one (Dec 24) and it was a big one - about 40k I believe was the estimate. I think it was 2010.

Yes, the 'friends of friends' comment you make is valid, however I am talking about real problems, involving serious assault. Perhaps I should have been clearer and said 'life threatening'. Don't want to argue the point though.

Concur on the binge drinkers - larger than life types often come down to earth with a bang...

Edit: October month was about 3,000 from what I have heard.

There isnt much room left... It takes hours to walk from one end of the beach to the other . Haddrin is now famous for its golden water at sunrise not because of dawn but because the toilets cant cope...

the whole place stinks like a sewer during party nights.

[djjamie]

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".

You are completely missing the point. The "Party" had nothing to do with it.

Going by your logic the central government should close the 7-11's at 10pm. The 7-11's opening hours have as much to do with the tragedy at KT as the "party" does.