20,000 tourists flock to Thailand’s Full Moon Party –  More revenue to come

Around 20,000 tourists attended a Full Moon Party held on Koh Phangan, a popular tourist destination in Thailand. The party took place along a nearly one-kilometre stretch of beach on Thursday night, and it was the fifth Full Moon Party of 2023. To ensure the safety and security of the partygoers, a deployment of police, immigration officers, and local officials was organized. Surat Thani Governor Wichawut Jinto and several senior police officers were also present to oversee the event and maintain order.

Security measures were implemented to enhance visitor confidence and prevent illicit drug activities at the venue. Pol Lt Gen Sukhun Promayon, the commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, emphasized the importance of ensuring a secure environment for the attendees. The event is expected to contribute significantly to the local economy, with authorities estimating that the four-day holiday period, will generate tens of millions of baht for Koh Phangan.

In addition to the Full Moon Party, the province of Surat Thani anticipated a tourism-related income of over 3 million baht from the visit of Mein Schiff 5, a luxury cruise ship that made a one-day stop near Koh Samui. The influx of passengers and crew members from the cruise ship further contributes to the tourism revenue of the region. For instance, a few tourists also stayed back at local hotels like Santiburi Koh Samui so they could explore some of the things to do in Koh Samui.