The origin of the Full Moon Party is disputed, but it is believed to have started in 1983 as a small gathering of 20-30 travelers at Paradise Bungalows on the beach. The parties became popular through word of mouth and now attract crowds of 5,000-30,000 every full moon evening.
The event features music from various genres, including psychedelic trance, R&B, drum and bass, house, dance, and reggae, and the party continues until sunrise the next day. The Full Moon Party has become a popular destination for travelers in Southeast Asia, and its success has led to the creation of similar events like Half Moon and Black Moon parties.
The Thai government banned all parties except for the Full Moon Party in 2014, but this ban was not strictly enforced. However, in 2015, all parties except for the Full Moon Party were banned again due to noise pollution complaints from residents. Bans like these are often short-lived and lifted once their purpose is served.
Due to the government's goal of attracting higher-class tourists, it is unclear how long the Full Moon Party will be allowed to continue.
In 2020, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but parties resumed in 2022.
Although drugs are consumed at the Full Moon Party, drug laws are strict and police enforcement is increased during the event. There have been reports of assaults, robberies, and break-ins at hotel bungalows, so tourists are advised to exercise caution. The Full Moon Party has been featured in films and TV shows, such as The Beach and Gerhard Reinke's Wanderlust, and was the subject of a documentary investigating the negative impacts of tourism on the local economy.