New Years In Koh Phangan

Posted by Ray

Posted on January 14, 2009

Of all Thailand Koh Phangan is by far my favourite. The mecca for party goers since the late eighties still attracts massive crowds eager to witness and be part of the full moon party event. Being here last year was a plus in deciding where to stay and what bars to hit to enjoy what the island has to offer.

Travelling on my own at this stage it was good to meet Max from the ferry. Max from England is on a mini gap year taking in South East Asia and Australia. We took a taxi down to Haad Rin staying beside the Coral Bungalows for a night before moving down the beach to the Seaside Resort. Last year we stayed at the Seaside and weren't disappointed again. The setup there is amazing and the staff more than helpful. Staying there for five nights cost only 40 euro. That included accommodation, two meals a days, water and a few beers at night. The place is run by a friendly Thai family and big thanks must go to Yao again, the one of few English speaking who always took care of us. Cheers Yao. One of the small kids of the family Davy has really got big from last year and has even started his own fire show, unbelievable, he's barely 5 id say. Also to add was the free pool which Max and myself had a little competition. Ray taking it in style 27-20. Unlucky Max.

The weather was somewhat disappointing. Most days were cloudy with the sun managing to come out on the odd occasion. It was rainy season, so was to be expected. The islands on the east side of the country have bad weather while across on the west side the islands have great blue skies all due to the different seasons. We had planned to do some snorkeling but due to the turbulent skies and sea the water visibility wouldn't have been great.

Every night we made our way down to Haad Rin beach to enjoy the build up events to the New Years party. We visited nearly all the bars along the beach from the Cactus bar with amazing fire shows to the Drop Inn bar famous for massive dancing crowds. Mellow mountain was visited a few times and didn't disappoint with its popular shakes. We also got in a pool party at the Coral Bungalows where everyone whether willing or not gets in the pool. On the first night down the beach my wallet was briefly stolen by a ladyboy who bumped off me, I knew exactly what happened and in my most polite manner told he/she to drop it or else. There was nothing in it, but I wasn't buying another one. Just beware. Also down at the pool party I cut one of my toes on broken glass and then managed to cut another trying to sit down. Idiots breaking large bottles around the pool, had to wear sandals for the remainder of the stay with toes bandaged up. Could of been worse though I suppose.

New Years Eve night was amazing. The crowds were well over 20,000 and most people getting covered head to toe with neon body paint and glow in the dark clothes. That day I picked up my own paints and brush and Max and myself went to work own our personalised designs at the Seaside before heading out. We had planned to meet two good Ozzie girls we had met previously on Koh Phangan that night, but true the form the Shelia's didn't turn up. This wasn't really surprising as Amy and Kate weren't the best time keepers. The funny thing was we always seemed to meet up down the beach, which is unreal with all the people there. We were glad to find them straight away and with the remainder of the paint covered them as best as possible. Art back in secondary school wasn't a waste after all.

With buckets in hand Amy, Kate, Max and myself danced till we dropped. The actual countdown to New Years wasn't that obvious and most of the crowd missed it or just couldn't hear it. The penny dropped though when we heard U2's New Years Day song, which was pretty much stating the obvious at that stage. The plan was to stay out till light, but we ran out of steam early morning. I think the previous few mornings and nights partying finally taking it's toll. I didn't mind so much, most nights running up to the New Years party were all equally as good, as long as your with cool company it's hard to go wrong.

Viva le Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan!

Max, Kate, Ray, Amy & Steven

Cool Dragon I Got Done

Max's Birthday Body Paint

Kate

Cactus Bar

Sunset Beach - Haad Rin

Sunset Beach - Haad Rin

Sunset Resort - Haad Rin

Beach Soccer

Team Sweden Winning The Competition

Full Moon Beach By Day

Fire Show @ Seaside Resort

Muay Thai Boxing @ The New Haad Rin Arena

Muay Thai Boxing @ The New Haad Rin Arena

Muay Thai Boxing @ The New Haad Rin Arena

Muay Thai Boxing @ The New Haad Rin Arena

Ray, Max & Some Ozzies We Meet

Taking Home Gold!

Max Gracious In Defeat

Mellow Mountain

Lights On!

Lights Off!

Superman Max

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

Flying The Flag

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

New Years Night

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