The Buddhist holiday is called Asarnha Puja day, which marks Buddha's first sermon which he gave on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month. The day is named Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta day, which is the name of the sermon where Buddha talked about "The Middle Way", which means that if we wish to be successful in Spiritual life, we should avoid the two extremes: Trying too hard, such as not eating or not sleeping enough. and/or Not trying hard enough, such as eating and sleeping too much.
The Full Moon Party has no middle way - it is all about extremes. We left our resort in a Toyota Hilux pickup truck with 17 other party-goers crammed in. The drive to the Haad Rin beach is about 5 km of twisty turny narrow roads that climb and dive and climb some more. Combine that with hot, humid weather, and crazy drivers, and you wonder if you are going to make it there alive.
Once you get to one of the side roads that run along parallel to the beach, you find yourself passing creperies, bars, restaurants, and stores, all selling wares to get you in the spirit. Following the throngs of people winding their way through the streets, you make your way down to the beach.
Picture a wide open beach about 2 km in length, packed with about 20,000 people, and about a dozen bars lined up along the beach each blasting their own rhythms and music. International and Thai DJ's make the crowd go wild. The DJ's play all kinds of music; techno, trance, goa, drum n' bass, dub, reggae, "commercial hits", house etc on about 15 sound systems along the beach. For example, the Zoom specializes in Techo/Trance; the Cactus in Rock; the Drop In Bar was all about Hip Hop/Rap.
Everyone is drinking from the ubiquitous bucket - a plastic bucket more commonly used to build sand castles, filled to the brim with a mickey of your liquor of choice (vodka, sangsom/thai rum, whiskey), some pop or red bull, and ice. Add a couple of extra straws (for friends you might meet) and away you go. All for a mere 300 baht ($10). People were scantily clad in tight island/beach wear and sporting full moon party paint - neon pink, yellow, blue, and green paint that comes alive underneath a black light.
Dance floors were set up on tables. Mats were laid out in the sand for people to recline. There was even a station set up that was a designated sleep area, since the party is expected to last all night. Not to mention the After Party, which starts at 8am to go all day on the 1st.
There were jugglers and fire eaters. People walking around carrying iguanas the length of their arms, snakes, monkeys. There were people swimming in the ocean, and the shore line was dotted with longboats waiting to take people home after the party. There were even impromptu fireworks on display.
The whole party was all about letting go - of inhibitions, of barriers, of restraints - and just giving into the crowds, the people, the energy, and the music. A once in a lifetime event for sure!
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