The Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan island: 200 baht entry with no online tickets, the 2027 dates, how to drink buckets safely, what to do about drugs and the law, and how to prepare for Asia's best-known beach party.
Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan at midnight: on the sand tens of thousands of people in neon paint shake with the bass, fire hoops spin in the sky, open-air bars stretch along the whole shoreline, and over this chaos hangs a huge full moon. The Full Moon Party is Asia’s best-known beach party, which a small group of travelers dreamed up in 1985, and which now gathers from five to thirty thousand people every month. Whether you fall in love forever or come back with a bottle of water and a lesson for life, it is worth preparing in advance.
Where it all came from
The first party took place in 1985 on Haad Rin Beach in the south of Koh Phangan, when a small group of travelers held a celebration under the full moon. Rumors spread from person to person, and very soon the event became cult: by estimates, from 5 to 30 thousand people come to the beach, and in 2010 the Guardian newspaper called it the world’s biggest beach rave. The music changes from bar to bar: psychedelic trance, hip-hop, drum and bass, house and reggae sound simultaneously along the whole beach.
Dates and tickets
The party follows the lunar calendar and takes place on the night of the full moon, the day before or the following night. The dates sometimes shift because of Buddhist holidays: for example, one of the confirmed dates of 2027 is July 20 (Tuesday), not the day of the full moon itself, because Asalha Bucha and the start of the Buddhist Lent fall on July 18–19. Entry costs 200 baht (about 6 dollars) and is paid on the beach that evening. There are no online tickets: any site offering to buy “tickets” in advance is a fraud.
The Full Moon Party schedule for 2027
Below is the full list of dates for 2027 according to the official Full Moon Party Thailand website (checked on October 13, 2026). The party begins in the evening and runs until morning. Note: because of Buddhist holidays and Lent, in several months the date does not coincide with the day of the full moon itself (so in February, April, May, July and October the party is shifted).
| Date | Day of the week | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 22 | Friday | — |
| February 22 | Monday | Makha Bucha, February 21 |
| March 22 | Monday | — |
| April 21 | Wednesday | — |
| May 21 | Friday | Visakha Bucha, May 20 |
| June 19 | Saturday | — |
| July 20 | Tuesday | Asalha Bucha and the start of Buddhist Lent, July 18–19 |
| August 17 | Tuesday | — |
| September 15 | Wednesday | — |
| October 16 | Saturday | end of Buddhist Lent, October 15 |
| November 13 | Saturday | — |
| December 13 | Monday | — |
| December 31 | Friday | New Year’s party — welcoming 2028 |
The New Year’s party on December 31 is held in a “countdown” format and is considered one of the most crowded of the year — accommodation on Phangan for these dates is booked in advance.
The nearest dates until the end of 2026
| Date | Day of the week | Note |
|---|---|---|
| October 27 | Tuesday | end of Buddhist Lent, October 26 |
| November 24 | Tuesday | — |
| December 24 | Thursday | — |
| December 31 | Thursday | New Year’s party — welcoming 2027 |
Source of the dates: fullmoonpartythailand.com/dates. The organizers note that dates may change by local announcements, so check the schedule again a couple of weeks before the trip.
Buckets: the main drink and the main risk
The party’s signature drink is a plastic bucket into which Thai rum or whisky (usually Sang Som or Hong Thong), soda and Red Bull are poured. Most of the trouble is connected with the buckets: in dubious establishments a cheap substitute and even methanol can be mixed into them. Never buy pre-mixed buckets. Choose a stall where the seller gives you a sealed 200 ml bottle, a sealed mixer and a straw and mixes in front of you. And never accept drinks from strangers — cases of drink spiking do occur.
Safety: what you must do
Footwear — closed, not flip-flops: there is a lot of broken glass on the beach. Leave valuables, your passport and extra equipment at the hotel. Alternate alcohol with water: the combination of drinking, dancing and tropical heat quickly leads to dehydration and heatstroke. Stay away from fire shows: the numbers are impressive, but injuries among amateurs happen often. Bring cash with a reserve — ATMs on the island run out on party days.
Drugs and the law
Separately and without irony: Thailand’s drug laws are very strict. The party is regularly patrolled by police, including in plain clothes, and detentions happen all the time. The punishments are years in prison. No “one-off party” and no “everyone does it” is a defense: if you are offered something prohibited, refuse, and there is no need to test how seriously you will be treated.
How to get there and where to stay
People get to Phangan from Samui, Koh Tao and the mainland by ferry: from Samui there are also special speedboats that take guests to the party and back. Accommodation in the Haad Rin area must be booked in advance, several weeks ahead — on full moon days prices rise and there are no free places. An alternative is to stay in the island’s quieter bays and get to the party by taxi, having arranged the return in advance.
FAQ
When is the Full Moon Party in 2027? The parties will be held on January 22, February 22, March 22, April 21, May 21, June 19, July 20, August 17, September 15, October 16, November 13, December 13 and December 31 (according to the official website; dates may change).
How much is entry? 200 baht (about 6 dollars), paid on the beach on the day of the party.
Can I buy a ticket online? No: any sites selling tickets in advance are scammers.
How do I drink buckets safely? Choose a stall where they show you a sealed bottle of spirits and a sealed mixer, and do not take pre-mixed ones.
What should I bring? Closed shoes, cash, light clothing, water and as few things as possible — leave valuables at the hotel.
What about drugs? Thailand’s laws are very strict, detentions at the party happen regularly, and sentences can be long.
The party dates, prices and rules may change — check the current information before your trip.
