Koh Phangang's full moon setting?

Koh Phangan, long associated with wild Full Moon parties, is undergoing an image change to make the island a family destination. The monthly all-night Full Moon party on the Surat Thani island's Had Rin beach draws mostly foreign tourists and the event is synonymous with illicit drug use.

However, moves are afoot to rebuild the island's image as a drugs-free haven for holiday makers, with drugs authorities, residents and tourism operators committed to the efforts.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board's Division 8, responsible for the upper South, has implemented a joint operation with residents and tour businesses to prevent the use of illicit drugs at the beachside party.

"The operation is the vehicle of our social order campaign to ensure partygoers stay away from drug abuse at the party," said Division 8 chief Surasak Klam-in.

The campaign is being conducted in consultation with stakeholders, including local leaders and tourism businesses from nearby Koh Samui, he said. The division has asked locals to tip off police about any suspected drug-related activities on Koh Phangan.

Police have set up checkpoints along the main roads and at piers on both Phangan and Samui islands.

Police check partygoers at random for possession of drugs, such as cannabis, ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine, known as ya ice.

Undercover officers on the lookout for criminal activity mingle with the crowds.

Locals say the first Full Moon party was held 24 years ago. A resort on the island organised a farewell party for a group of about 20 foreign guests after an extended stay.

Since then a party has been held on Had Rin beach every full moon.

As the island's nightlife capital, the beach is home to dozens of nightclubs, pubs and restaurants.

Sound systems are erected along the one-kilometre beach to cater for the thousands of revellers who flock to the party every month.

Some revellers party too hard to be able to make the journey back to their guesthouses and end up sleeping on the beach. "No one knows exactly when illicit drugs were first brought to the party," says Nikom Somwong, chairman of the Samui-Phangan Community Strength project.

Mr Nikom said as a community leader he was well aware of drug use at the parties. But he also recognised the monthly event is a big cash-spinner for Phangan and Samui islands.

Significant revenues are earned from food and drinks sold at the party.

Jongdee Thongchan, chief of Takian village in tambon Angthong on Koh Samui, said some people from the village go to the Full Moon party.

He was worried they would be exposed to drugs and could develop a drinking habit.

Mr Jongdee said he worked closely with family networks and drugs authorities to raise awareness of the risks of taking illicit drugs at local schools and homes.

Many partygoers, however, say it is perfectly possible to enjoy the world famous party without taking drugs.

Ilkka Happonen, a 24-year-old Finnish student, could not hide his excitement about attending the Full Moon party for the first time.

The Finn chose the island to celebrate graduating from the National University of Singapore.

"I'm very happy to be here. I have lots of fun and a great time with my friends. We drink and dance together and never take drugs," he said.

Grant Ligon, 21, from the United States, said he heard about the party from a friend who spent time on the island last year.

"He told me the party was full of fun and also warned me to avoid taking drugs there or I would be caught and sent to jail," said Mr Ligon.

(Bangkok Post)

WE ARE IN THAILAND, THEY COME HERE FOR THE DRUGS...

"He told me the party was full of fun and also warned me to avoid
taking drugs there or I would be caught and sent to jail," said Mr Ligon
Well we saw that in the Big Trouble inThailand video didn't we?
I don't take drugs and I don't drink and my quality of life is much happier now than when I did take drugs and drank alcohol to excess!
I doubt anything will change in these Full Moon Parties.....alcohol is money as is drugs and with thousands of people losing control under the influence, those who make money from these things won't want anything to change.

taniabear wrote:"He told me the party was full of fun and also warned me to avoid
taking drugs there or I would be caught and sent to jail," said Mr Ligon
Well we saw that in the Big Trouble inThailand video didn't we?
I don't take drugs and I don't drink and my quality of life is much happier now than when I did take drugs and drank alcohol to excess!
I doubt anything will change in these Full Moon Parties.....alcohol is money as is drugs and with thousands of people losing control under the influence, those who make money from these things won't want anything to change.

Gotta agree with your last sentence ....

Never been to one and to be honest, hopefully I never will but I'm an old arse and those kinds of parties naturally attract younger travelers. Most, I'm sure have a good, if not great time but the 1 in a 1000 or whatever it is end up getting done by the police for some offence, having their drinks spiked and then robbed/raped or, as happened fairly recently even murdered.

And is Thailand exclusive to these things? Not at all, I just thought I would point out that travellers get caught up in all sorts of trouble in many countries too.

I think many westeners traveling to a developing country leaves their brains at home... People coming here does not think clearly... Even some people who live here does not think clearly...

Last year, a foreigner was arrested for having some drugs, many foreigners stated that this drug was leagal in some countries and this was not a big thing????
Not legal here!!! I thought!!!

Agree Snowflake.......no brainers!!
I would not go to another coountry unless I researched what the cultural no no's are.....AND drugs= death penalty in Asia is in the news all the time! They really have no excuse not to be aware of this.
If someone doesn't want to get into trouble....don't get so drunk you don't know what you're doing!

I think it is well known that dealing with any drugs are NO-NO in most countries in the world...

No need to researched the culture... Just think, use the top of the body... your head and you should be ok!!!

AGREED!!!!!