Koh Phangan: Getting There, Full Moon Party Rules and Fees

From Samui, take the 08:00 Lomprayah catamaran: it reaches Koh Phangan at 08:30 and costs THB 350. The Full Moon Party takes place at Haad Rin on full-moon nights. Alcohol may be sold only from 11:00 to 24:00, and a foreign adult pays THB 100 at Than Sadet-Ko Phangan National Park.

If you are coming from Koh Samui, take the 08:00 Lomprayah catamaran, which lands on Koh Phangan at 08:30 for THB 350. Most people come for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin, held on the night of every full moon.

Getting to Koh Phangan

Boats reach the island from Koh Samui, from Donsak pier on the mainland and from Koh Tao. The table lists the main crossings with the adult fare.

Coming from Bangkok, the bus from Khao San Road to Donsak pier takes about 10 hours. The Bangkok to Koh Samui guide and the Surat Thani to Koh Samui ferry guide cover that leg. Every operator and time sits in the Samui, Phangan and Tao ferries guide.

Haad Rin and the Full Moon Party

The Full Moon Party is a beach party at Haad Rin on the night of every full moon, and tens of thousands turn up. Joining was free of charge as of a Surat Thani provincial page dated March 2021. For dates, alcohol rules and the boat plan for the night, the Full Moon Party page has the detail.

Rules that get people fined

Alcohol

Alcohol may be sold only between 11:00 and 24:00, although entertainment venues may sell within the opening and closing times their own licence allows. During the banned sale hours, nobody may drink alcohol at a place that sells it. A person who drinks in breach of that rule faces a fine of up to THB 10,000.

On Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha and the first and last days of Buddhist Lent, nobody may sell alcohol. Hotels and entertainment venues are exempt from that notice. Full moons often land on these holidays, so read alcohol ban days and alcohol hours and fines before you plan your night.

Drugs

Using a category 1, 2 or 5 narcotic without an exception risks up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to THB 20,000, or both. Possessing one for your own use carries up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to THB 40,000, or both. The full list is on the Thailand drug laws page.

Vapes

E-cigarettes are goods prohibited from import into Thailand, and the ban covers any electric device that makes vapour like cigarette smoke. In a smoke-free zone smoking carries a fine of up to THB 5,000. Selling e-cigarettes illegally carries up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to THB 600,000, or both. Details are on the vape law page.

National park fee

Than Sadet-Ko Phangan is a group 1 park, so a foreign adult pays THB 100 and a foreign child THB 50. Those are the 2022 rates, in force since 7 June 2022. A child means anyone aged 3 to 14, or no taller than 140 cm. Children under 3, disabled people and monks go free. Bringing a vehicle costs extra.

To compare other parks, see the national park fees page.

Season and sea safety

Expect rain from about mid-October to mid-February, when the northeast monsoon runs. Dates can vary from year to year. Gulf and Andaman months sit side by side on the islands by month page.

Strong riptides have drowned people, especially during monsoon season. Jellyfish come close to shore, particularly from May to October, and their stings can be fatal. Read up on jellyfish and rip currents before you swim, and for diving see the Koh Tao diving guide.

Health and emergencies

In a medical emergency, call 1669, the line for critical emergency patients outside a medical facility. Ko Pha-ngan Hospital (โรงพยาบาลเกาะพะงัน) is a Ministry of Public Health service unit in Surat Thani province.

Save two police numbers as well: 1155 is the tourist police hotline for crimes that involve a tourist, and 191 reaches the Royal Thai Police. More is in the tourist police guide and the emergency numbers list. For the wider region, see the Thailand islands guide or the Koh Samui guide.

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Not confirmed: Party dates: confirm the date with your accommodation before booking a boat. Party entry: the only official statement is from 2021, so carry cash. Hospital phone: not confirmed; ask your accommodation for the number.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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