Honestly, we didn't go but we heard about them a lot!
Last September already, during our trip on land, the small village of Paï was deserted in one single day. The explanation was simple: it was 3 days before the full moon and all the 20 to 3O years old girls and boys were rushing off to Ko Samui.
They arrive by train, bus, and then by ferry to Ko Pha Ngan, half and hour by speedboat from Ko Samui. They all rush to Hat Rin, the bay where the Full Mooning party takes place.
There will be up to 5.000 people there to dance, drink but unfortunately also to take drugs (ectasy, acid and other drugs are sold in volume then). It's so common that the psychiatric hospital in Surat Thani (on the mainland) is overcrowded with people the very next day for one simple reason: they couldn't handle the drugs they took!
Commercially, these parties bring a high level of revenues to the local resorts and restaurants but for "Minuit", it's rather: let's move out of this bay quickly!
Very large size speakers are put on the beach and starting 2:00 pm the day of the Full Moon, the music is blaring to the extent that our plates on board were vibrating inside the cupboards...
Well known DJs from Europe travel to these parties to work and we heard that the amount of people can go up to 8.000 during the peak season (December to February).
We soon decided never to spend the night at Hat Rin and the next day, the sight is disgusting so we were told by a friend who took a stroll on the beach early in the morning. The worse were the debris of bottles with blood all over them from those youngsters who surely must find that the next day is really tough to handle.
We love to party but is it really necessary to absorb these drugs, we don' think so but then again 5.000 to 8.000 people think it's great...
" Minuit" and its passengers always prefer the quieter bays in Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan.
Our favorite spot on Ko Samui is Bo Phut, in the north-east of Ko Samui.
As the "Lonely Planet" correctly states it: it's quiet (no party there) and it's one of the most authentic village of the island. A wonderful spot to leave by motorbike to explore the island, eat excellent food in both small restaurants (like JR Kitchen in Chaweng) or more inclusive restaurants like "La Sirène" in Bo-Phut.
Although Ko Samui is not as "busy" as Phuket, we have a feeling that it's time to enjoy its laid-back attitude because we are seeing new resorts being constructed all over the place, even expensive homes for the wealthy retired people in the hills of Ko Samui (90% of the island is still inhabited).
For "Minuit" and its passengers, it's a nice sail to Ko Pha Ngan where you can still enjoy the typical "postcard" beaches.
If you think snorkeling or even "proper" diving is fun, Ko Tao is the place to be. There is even 3 tiny islands in the north-west of Ko Tao where you can stroll down the beaches, stay in a small bungalow or follow a Diving course. It's called Ko Nang Yuan.
Thailand might have finally understood the importance of protecting the environment and it's all benefit for "Minuit" since we love sailing round the 40 islands of the Ang Thong archipelago. No fishing boat there and only one island with a few bungalows and the Marine Park Headquarters. There are splendid beaches but as soon as you reach them for a walk you discover the garbage left by the fishermen (this is true all over Asia): plastic bottles, oil and water containers, shoes, nets. We always wondered why the fishermen consider the sea as their dustbin.
But, let's not be cynical , Thailand is the country with a smile and we never get tired of the smile of the Thaïs wherever you go and they never get tired of smiling: a real treat!
Ang Thong Marine National Park
Finally,
good wind... rare in Asia!
Enjoying good wine with friends is always a pleasure
