Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan

The Full Moon is far more than a party; it is Had Rin's dance music festival, with everything from drum and bass to full-on psy-trance. Paradise Bungalows, the site of the original Full Moon Party, consistently puts on the biggest show with inspired decor and a combination of superb resident and guest international DJs. Worth looking out for is DJ A, who also holds residency at the Backyard, possibly the most famous after party venue in the world, starting at 11am as Had Rin's beach shuts shop, licks its wounds and counts the casualties. The Backyard also puts on three cracking nights per week, each catering for the full spectrum of dance music heads in a totally refurbished, two floor club with mind bending fluoro sculptures.

The Drop In plays a more commercial set with a few classics thrown in, and still pulls in big crowds from when it launched way back in 1989, as does the Cactus with a similar policy. The Vinyl Club pumps out hard techno and psy-trance, also putting on pre Full Moon Party parties in Ban Tai, with an Israeli DJ massive keeping it banging.

The Big Boom Bar is a daytime favourite, especially with their volley ball contest a few days before the Full Moon Party. Their commitment to leaning away from trance, by playing progressive to hard house with a fair few anthems thrown in means that resident DJs Simon (UK) and locals Tony and Dai have the beach going ballistic every Full Moon Party.

If you want to rinse it out true DnB stylee, the Orchid headed by resident DJ Kay puts a smile on many a trance-tired face. For a real refuge, head out to the Outback Bar to enjoy superb Thai and European tucker, pool and live sports in a bar that looks as good as the paintings it sells!

FACILITIES

• Motorbike and Jeep Rental
• Internet and Email
• International Telephone/Fax
• Laundry Service
• Restaurant serving Thai and Western cuisine
• Bar
• Free wireless network
  

ACTIVITIES

• Snorkelling
• Kayaking
• Waterfalls and Jungle Trekking
• Massaging