SCENE REVIEWS
PARADISE ISLAND, TO UNWIND OR 2 PARTY
Review by: Jung Park
You could call it the Ibiza of Asia. A paradise tucked away in the southeast gulf of Thailand, picturesque sunrises and sunsets, untainted nature's surroundings, yet for the infamous Full Moon Party once a month, well over 10,000 people from all over the world come to get their shake on at the beach for a night of debauchery.
On a long stretch of beach called Haad Rin Beach, lie white sands, bungalows, coconut trees, restaurants, bars, and clubs. The night of the party, it's an endless sea of people end to end, with about 10 or so different sound stages/venues pumping Dance music. Yes, a long stretch of beach lined with more speakers and subs than you can count; House, Trance, Tech, and one area with d'n'b with Electro being the predominant genre this 2008 spring season.
As you stroll along viewing the happenings, you see people drinking out of plastic buckets (not glasses), filled with a spirit and mixer of choice (Thai version of Red Bull which is like liquid speed), ice and multiple giant straws. There's those dancing their rear-ends off, a lot of them barefoot, there's the ones passed out on the beach sleeping amongst over 10,000 screaming dancing fans, and other openly expressed activities adding to the party experience which are not appropriate to express in detail.
As I ran from one venue to another, by dirt bike and on foot, from one side of the beach to another for my gigs, it amazed me to see every alleyway (off the beach) crammed with people shoulder to shoulder, languages of almost every European descent, and the diversity of the crowds of people. Clubbers, hippies, trance-addicts, old people (some grandparent old), even the innocents with their wide eyed fascinations. Once I was done working I enjoyed the parties on the beach popping in and out of venues, interestingly enough, I found myself getting it on at one place the Cactus Club, to R'n'B classics, amongst an extremely fun mix of people. Perhaps it was in the spirit of reminiscence, dancing with like-minded peeps from various parts of Europe and CANADA...yes! and the fun of gettin' dirty. It was very nice to meet a good amount of people from Canada. I even got called out on the street by a girl, "Hey! Aren't you Jung from Stereo in Montreal?" All this on a paradise getaway island off the southeast coast of Thailand…Who would have thought?
Besides the Full Moon Party itself Phangan is an absolutely beautiful place to unwind, enjoy the beach, white sands, crystal clear water, great food, GREAT fruits, great massages, and tanning on the beach everyday of the year.
I was there a month and played all over the island and another island called Koh Tao, I got to experience many wonders and joys that this paradise has to offer. One can get around on scooters or dirt bikes, without a need for a license.
The days are very tranquil and relaxing. In the wee hours of the night for those looking for a good party there's a system pumping somewhere, be it in a club, restaurant or even in the jungle! There’s people dancing and partying from small intimate groups to thousands in one of the jungles. Many parties are a weekly occurrence.
I call it the Ibiza of Asia. The difference is Asia has different types of crowds, minus the usual dancefloor (as in indoors, or flat floors), and imagine most people in beach gear and sandals or barefoot instead.
It’s an extremely cheap place to visit. |
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