1 · The short answer

The Full Moon Party is held every month on Haad Rin beach, on the south of Koh Phangan, usually on or around the night of the full moon. The party runs overnight with stages, DJs, fire shows and beach bars, and the organisers' page says entry is sold only at the gate. Dates can shift by a day or two for local reasons, so check the party's own site for the month you plan to come.

On the beach your phone is more likely to be lost, wet or out of battery than offline. Ringo Light's Thailand plan gives you unlimited data at full speed across Thailand, delivered by email and installed with one scan, so you can book the ferry, the room and the ride back without hunting for Wi-Fi.

Ringo Light's Thailand plan also covers the mainland and the other islands, so one eSIM works on the whole trip.

Ringo Light's Thailand plan covers the whole of Thailand: unlimited data at full speed, 2 weeks for $22.99 or 30 days for $32.99, nothing renews. The plan is at ringoesim.com/thailand, and every brand's price for Thailand is compared on one day in Best eSIM for Thailand.

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2 · What happens at Haad Rin

Haad Rin is a beach on the southern tip of Koh Phangan. On the night of the party the beach holds several stages, fire shows and bars, and the dancing carries on until the morning. The organisers' page says entry is sold only at the gate, with the fee going to the cleaning and the infrastructure of the local community.

Haad Rin and the surrounding area also host smaller parties in the days before and after. Rooms in Haad Rin sell out, so many people stay in other parts of the island and travel in.

3 · Getting to Koh Phangan and to Haad Rin

Koh Phangan has no large airport. Most visitors fly to Koh Samui or to Surat Thani on the mainland and continue by ferry or by a combined bus and boat ticket. Ferries also connect Koh Phangan with Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Check the ferry operators' timetables, because sailings are fewer in the rainy season and fill up around the party.

From the pier at Thong Sala, shared pickup trucks called songthaews run across the island to Haad Rin. On party nights they are busy, and the drivers often wait until they are full. Agree the fare before you get in, and plan your way back before you go out, because late-night transport is limited.

4 · What your phone has to do

  • ✓Keep it dry and safe. Sand, water and crowds are hard on phones. Use a waterproof pouch with a lanyard and do not carry more than you need.
  • ✓Ride apps. Grab works in parts of Thailand, but on Koh Phangan getting around mostly means songthaews and local taxis. Save your hotel's address and a map offline.
  • ✓Signal on the beach. Thousands of phones in one place slow networks down. Messages arrive late, so agree a meeting point and a time with friends.
  • ✓Cashless and cash. Entry is paid at the gate and many beach vendors want cash. Carry baht and keep it separate from your phone.
  • ✓Ferries. Keep ferry and flight bookings saved offline, as you will likely need them in a bad signal spot at the pier.

5 · Staying safe

The island's authorities and the party's own site publish safety advice. Keep drinks in sight, do not accept drinks or substances from strangers, and know where your group is. Check local laws, which apply on the island as on the mainland.

Keep a copy of your travel insurance details on your phone and share your location with a friend during the night.

6 · Frequently asked questions

When is the Full Moon Party?+
Monthly at Haad Rin, around the night of the full moon. The exact date can shift, so check the party's own website for the month you plan to come.
How do I get to Haad Rin?+
Take a ferry to Thong Sala, the main pier on Koh Phangan, then a songthaew or taxi to Haad Rin. Fly to Koh Samui or Surat Thani first.
How do I pay for entry?+
The organisers' page says tickets are sold only at the gate. Carry cash for the gate and for vendors on the beach.
Which plan covers Koh Phangan?+
Ringo Light's Thailand plan covers Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Tao and the rest of Thailand, with unlimited data at full speed.
Does Grab work on Koh Phangan?+
Not reliably. Expect songthaews and local taxis, and agree the fare before you go.

7 · Sources

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