Ibiza in the 1960s was a rural and fishing island that few people had heard of. Mike Oldfield went there to write Tubular Bells – a breakthrough seminal chill out album – and kindled an interest in the island. Ibiza eventually grew into the party center for not only Spain but also Europe. It pioneered its own Ibiza chill out sound and set up several mega clubs featuring foam, big name DJs and expensive entry prices. The combination of beaches, cheap alcohol and a never ending party scene drew thousands upon thousands to Ibiza in the 1990s and still does today.
It used to be that only intrepid backpackers would make it out of Europe to Asia. Internet booking and the development of Thai tourist infrastructure changed this trend and those who would cringe at being called a ‘backpacker’ or a ‘hippy’ started to make their way to the gorgeous tropical beaches of Thailand. First Phuket developed and not long after Koh Samui got an airport, big hotels and other tourist amenities.
On the neighboring island of Koh Phangan the hippies ruled the roost until Paradise Bungalows in Haad Rin held their first full moon party. At the time it wasn’t a trance event. Within ten years the Full Moon Party in Haad Rin had taken over the whole beach and had become the focus of the formerly quiet fishing village.
Today the Full Moon Party attracts upwards of 20,000 people to the party beach. It is truly an international event and the biggest monthly beach party in the world.
The party has spawned a new party culture on Koh Phangan. Just as with Ibiza the parties have proliferated. There are now several parties. These include the Half Moon Party, the Black Moon Party, the Shiva Moon Party, the Jungle Experience, Paradise Waterfall Party and Blue and Green Sramanora Waterfall Party.
Also similar to Ibiza, Koh Phangan has developed its own sound – it is a psy-trance beat with rolling techno build ups. And just as musicians were drawn to Ibiza, so there is now a community of musicians on Koh Phangan who are keen to make original music.
The big difference between Koh Phangan and Ibiza is that Koh Phangan parties cost between $3 and $15 to enter. Ibiza clubs charge 100 Euros. Moreover, Koh Phangan has hotter weather, warmer sea water and much cheaper bungalows and hotels to stay in.
For those who want to party, the cost of the flight ticket to Thailand is easily recouped by the much lower cost of living in Thailand. This is no doubt all part of the reason for Koh Phangan’s phenomenal success as a party island.
