Koh Phangan Full Moon Party: Dates, Fee and Rules
The Full Moon Party is held at Haad Rin on Koh Phangan on the night of every full moon. The Tourist Police ran a security operation for it on 1 June 2026. A 2021 provincial page called attendance free. Alcohol sales stop outside 11:00 to 24:00.
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Full Moon Party dates and what is official
The Full Moon Party is a beach celebration at Haad Rin on Koh Phangan, held on the night of every full moon. It began as a farewell party for about 20 to 30 tourists in 1985. The crowd now numbers in the tens of thousands.
Dates
The party follows the moon, so the moon decides the week. The full moon of 31 May 2026 fell on Visakha Bucha night. The full moon of 24 December 2026 is the closest to Earth that year.
Buddhist holidays fall on full moons, and that matters for alcohol sales (see below). Ask your guesthouse for the confirmed date before you book a ferry.
Entry fee
A Surat Thani provincial page dated 18 March 2021 describes joining the party as free of charge. The page is from March 2021.
Security on the night
On 1 June 2026 the Tourist Police commander went to Koh Phangan to oversee safety at the Full Moon Party, which the force calls an international tourism event. The commander met the agencies concerned to set security measures and an incident plan.
Alcohol rules on full-moon nights
Nobody may sell alcohol outside 11:00 to 24:00. Entertainment venues may sell within the opening and closing times their own licence allows.
Nobody may drink alcohol during the banned sale hours at a place that sells it or at a place set up commercially for drinking. A person who drinks in breach commits an administrative offence and pays a fine of up to THB 10,000.
Banned sale days
Nobody may sell alcohol on Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, the first day of Buddhist Lent and the last day of Buddhist Lent. The days notice does not apply to sales in international airport terminals, entertainment venues, hotels and the tourist-area venues set by the Public Health Minister.
So when the full moon is also Visakha Bucha, as on 31 May 2026, a shop may not sell that day. A licensed entertainment venue or hotel is exempt.
Beach smoking
A Department of Marine and Coastal Resources order bans smoking or dropping cigarette butts on listed beaches, except in areas officials have set aside. Breaking it carries up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to THB 100,000, or both.
The order lists 24 beach areas, including Bo Phut on Koh Samui.
How to get to Koh Phangan from Koh Samui
Lomprayah runs from Pralarn Pier on Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. The 08:00 catamaran costs THB 350. The 11:00 ferry costs THB 250. A catamaran with a van to any hotel on Koh Phangan costs THB 550.
| Route | Boat | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Samui (Pralarn Pier) to Phangan, 08:00 | Catamaran | THB 350 |
| Samui (Pralarn Pier) to Phangan, 11:00 | Ferry | THB 250 |
| Phangan to Samui (Pralarn Pier), 18:30 | Ferry | THB 250 |
| Donsak to Phangan | Raja Ferry | THB 270 |
| Donsak to Samui | Raja Ferry | THB 200 |
The Raja Ferry crossing from Donsak to Koh Phangan takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Donsak to Samui takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Samui (Lipa Noi) to Phangan takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
For the island beyond the party, see the Koh Phangan guide.
Before you go
- Book the ferry and a bed for the full-moon week; the date comes from your accommodation, not from a government list.
- Carry cash for any gate charge, since the only official statement is from 2021.
- Plan drinks before midnight, because sales stop outside 11:00 to 24:00 outside licensed venues.
- Do not smoke on the sand of a listed beach.
- Expect a security presence on the beach.
Not confirmed: Future party dates: no government page reached lists them, and private calendars disagree; confirm the date with your accommodation before booking a ferry. Gate price: the only official statement is the 2021 page; carry cash for a possible charge.
Common questions
Where is the Full Moon Party held?
At Haad Rin on Koh Phangan.
How often is the Full Moon Party held?
On the night of every full moon.
Is the Full Moon Party free?
A Surat Thani provincial page in March 2021 called attendance free of charge.
How many people go to the Full Moon Party?
The crowd numbers in the tens of thousands. It began in 1985 with about 20 to 30 tourists.
Can I buy alcohol after midnight at Haad Rin?
Nobody may sell alcohol outside 11:00 to 24:00. Entertainment venues may sell within the opening and closing times their own licence allows.
Is alcohol sold on Buddhist holidays?
Alcohol sales are banned on Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha and the first and last days of Buddhist Lent. Hotels, entertainment venues and set tourist-area venues are exempt.
How much is the ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?
From Pralarn Pier the Lomprayah catamaran is THB 350 and the ferry THB 250.
What is the fine for drinking outside sale hours?
Up to THB 10,000, as an administrative fine.
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Comments (5)
Evening_Republic_601
Is full moon party worth visiting? It’s my first time in Thailand as a solo female traveller. Should I go to full moon party or any safety tips one can provide?
OmegaKitty1
I had a great time, it was worth doing and I’d do it again. But I think it entirely depends on the group of people you are with and what you make of it. Going solo would be pretty boring I think. I’d just go a few days early to a social hostel and join a group.
Thelondonvoyager
It's a bit shit but it depends on your vibe, we VERY careful on the roads I'd say it is one of the most dangerous roads to be in the world (within reason) during full moon. Tons of people who can't drive, driving DRUNK! I lived on the island for 2 months and never went to after the first time.
nichef
Book your ferry in advance, only bring what you absolutely need to the party, don't accept a free drink from anyone, be prepared to get overcharged for everything. If you're into the all night rave though it's a fun time. Just be weary because there are always bad people even in nice places.
PastaPandaSimon
A friend of mine was drugged and raped there. Then blamed for going since it's "normal" there. Just a word of warning.