The Thais know how to party and travellers from around the world flock to its islands to sip a bucket, pick up some glow sticks and dance on the beach ’til dawn. Banish the hangover with a swim in the sea, a nap in a hammock under a palm tree and you’ll be ready to start all over again.
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Top 5 Best Thailand Party Islands
Want to know the best place to party in Thailand? Look no further…
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan’s full moon parties are legendary and attract backpackers and holidaymakers alike. The brightly painted beach bars and Haad Rin beach itself rocks to the sound of house, trance, drum n’ bass, and hip-hop and the party doesn’t stop until the sun comes up.
Don’t think that the partying is limited to once a month though – half-moon and black-moon parties are also popular and step into a bar any night of the week and there will be something going on. Paint yourself luminous colours, grab your glow sticks and head to the beach! There are also plenty of other things to do in Koh Phangan.
Check out this guide on where to stay in Koh Phangan.
Koh Phi Phi
Famous both for the beauty depicted in the film The Beach and for the devastation brought to it by the 2004 tsunami, Koh Phi Phi remains a stunningly beautiful island, recovering well from disaster. Relax on the beach by day and climb to the viewpoint in time for sunset for spectacular views. Once the sun has gone down, the beach comes alive with fire eaters, fire jugglers and fire dancers and people sit on low tables with their feet in the sand sipping buckets of Thai whisky and cola. There is no shortage of bars on this tiny island so why not try a different one every night?
Where to Stay in Koh Phi Phi
Koh Samui
As a crop of luxury resorts spring up across the island and it becomes more popular with wealthy tourists, Koh Samui is gradually becoming a more expensive destination but you can still find cheap accommodation and it offers some of the best nightlife in Thailand. Watch the sun set over Chaweng Beach, cocktail in hand, then move on to Green Mango Soi where most of the bars and clubs are located. The Green Mango Club is one of the best if you fancy dancing the night away – a converted warehouse, its two rooms blare out hip-hop and mainstream, and techno and house until the early morning.
Where to Stay in Koh Samui
Phuket
The nightlife in Phuket is centred on Patong Beach, where bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants line Bangla Road. Whether you want a cheap beer in a beer bar or a cocktail in a classy cocktail lounge, it’s all here in Patong. Tiger Club, just off Bangla Road, is always pumping but if mellow drinks are more your thing, check out tropical-themed Baya Beach. On the outskirts of town, just a short taxi ride away from the hotels of Phuket, Safari Club’s indoor and outdoor clubs are open until dawn and offer both live music and DJs.
Where to Stay in Phuket
Koh Chang
The “Elephant Island” provides a lower-key party destination. It is easy to find areas away from the madding crowds where you can have a quiet dinner on the beach followed by just a couple of drinks and an early night if you fancy a night off. The party scene here is more about getting together with your mates and having a few drinks and a good chat to some reggae beats than dancing to trance music all night.
Where to Stay in Koh Chang
FAQ
Here are some common questions about party islands in Thailand.
Where Is the Full Moon Party?
The full moon party happens on the Thai island of Koh Phangan on the crescent shaped beach of Haad Rin.
Is Phuket a Party Island?
Phuket is one of the largest islands in Thailand and a top destination for partying. Patong beach is where the main party is and the best bars and clubs can be found here.
What Is Phuket Famous For?
Phuket is famous for its nightlife but also the Karon View Point which gives views of the ocean, beaches and the lush island.
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Amar was born and raised in England and embarked on an 11-country round-the-world gap year after graduation and then became well and truly hooked. The first gap year inspired a second, which ended up being a 23-country down-the-world trip from Canada to Antarctica. Since then, Amar has spent the last 14 years traveling the 7 continents.
guy
Saturday 7th of October 2017
full moon parties are legendary just make sure you book early or you might be sleeping on the beach
Brandon Elijah Scott
Saturday 2nd of March 2013
Nice blog mate
Gap Year Escape
Wednesday 10th of April 2013
Thank you.
Sune
Monday 19th of November 2012
Koh Samed needs to be on this list. Legendary xmas party on Hat Sai Kaew Beach there!
Planes, Trains and Full Moon Party
Sunday 5th of August 2012
[...] was an interesting two days of planes, trains and ferries getting to Koh Phangan – The best Party Island in Thailand. Sleeper trains are quite an experience especially if you are my height. I half expected to wake up [...]
Elle
Sunday 29th of May 2011
Now you're speaking my language! I definitely need to party it up in Thailand!