All about the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is a real party island. There is a reason why the island is known for the world famous full moon party. Every month, 20,000 party animals gather on Koh Phangan beach to have a great party. In this article, we tell you the dates and times of the full moon party on Koh Phangan in 2026, the best place to stay on Koh Phangan and additional tips.

Dates and times full moon party 2026

Where is the best place to stay during the full moon party?

Often the best hotels and hostels are fully booked months in advance. The full moon party attracts over 20,000 visitors and they all want a place to sleep. On a (fairly) small island like Koh Phangan, there is no room for that. So make sure you book your place to sleep on Koh Phangan at least 1 or 2 months in advance otherwise most likely everything is already full!
The full moon party is on Haad Rin Beach. You don’t necessarily have to spend the night here as there are cabs waiting all night to take you to your hotel for 100 – 200 baht (€2.50 – 5).

Tip: here is a list of the nicest hostels on Koh Phangan and the rest of Thailand. Book your hostel soon through this article. Besides these hostels, the Morning Star Resort is highly recommended for your stay during the full moon party. The bungalows are clean, very spacious, there is a great pool and it is right on the beach. We enjoyed this place very much. Please note that prices during the full moon party are much higher than other areas in Thailand.

What does the full moon party cost?

Admission for the party itself is 200 baht (€5.50). You don’t need to buy tickets in advance; you buy them on the spot at the entrance. For this money, you get a wristband that you put on and then you can walk right through. Plenty of people also go to the beach by other routes but it is a small effort to pay such a small fee. From this money, the beach is also cleaned up the next day by locals namely!

A bucket of alcohol costs 400 baht (€11) at the beach bars. A beer at the full moon party costs 100 – 150 baht (€3 – 4). Before you enter the party you will see many body paint artists. Here you can have a beautiful body paint painting for a fee. If you’d rather do some painting yourself, there are several tables right after the entrance to the full moon party where, for 50 baht (€1.40) per person, you can paint yourself, or someone else, all over.

Additional tips for the full moon party

• Never jump rope over a burning rope

During the full moon party, a flaming rope is waved around all evening for tourists to jump rope over. Please don’t do this! It is extremely dangerous(especially when you have had a few drinks) and you see many tourists walking around with huge burns on their shoulders, legs or even their heads for days afterwards.

• Do not use drugs

Since October 2022, marijuana has been legal in Thailand and is now available everywhere. Hard drugs and other types are still banned, however. At the full moon party, many undercover agents walk around trying to sell you drugs. If you buy it from them you get a huge fine afterwards. Furthermore, the quality of drugs at such parties is also very poor and you never know what is in them. Make sure you don’t buy it on the beach anyway.

• Pay close attention to your drink and to each other

This is a clue, of course, but it is good to emphasize. In recent years, more and more people (especially women) are being drugged during the full moon party. Something is thrown into your drink or you become a victim of “needle spiking”: drugging with hypodermic needles. Always stay with several people and try to keep a close eye on each other.

• Do not take unnecessary items with you

As with any party, there are pickpockets running around. Be sure to bring only cash and leave all unnecessary items at home. You can often leave your room key at the front desk. Anyway, do not take your passport and preferably leave your phone at home as well.

• Put on closed shoes

Because the party is held on the beach, you see many tourists walking around in flip-flops. This is a bad idea because there is a lot of glass and other trash on the ground. Just put on tight shoes and shorts with pockets!

• Stay in the nicest hostels

Celebrate the full moon party with your new friends from the nicest hostels. Book at Echo Beach Hostel, Phangan Arena Hostel or our personal favorite: See Sea Backpackers Hostel. Try to book your hostel at least 1 / 1.5 months in advance to make sure there is room!