The Full Moon Party: Demonized by some as the greatest threat to the beautiful island of Phangan, by others as the absolute highlight on their bucket list ... Once a month, at Fullmoon, the small island of Koh Phangan is flooded by 10 to 50.000 partygoers.
For a few days every month there is a state of emergency. The hotels and bungalows around Haadrin in the south of the island are fully booked despite horrendous prices. Depending on the season and the associated demand - for example, in the peak season between Christmas and New Year - this affects, among other things, the accommodations in the north around Chaloklam, On the narrow and sometimes steep island roads, courageous tourists cavort on scooters, or on foot, and tons of taxis and minibuses, the visitors from the ferry to their accommodation cart. All Phangan is on his feet.
What some people consider an important period in terms of their livelihood, as they secure their income for the coming month thanks to the many tourists, is one for the others ecological disaster, Tens of thousands invade the just 125 qkm large island, of which almost half of the "Than Sadet - Ko Phangan National Park" belongs and flock to the approximately 1 km long dream beach of Haad Rin Nok to celebrate the party of a lifetime.
The day after from the point of view of the party guests: What remains, is certainly a bad hangover from the vast quantities Sangsom Buckets and probably the memory of the best beach party of life, or at least the thought of one of the legendary ones Full Moon Party to have been there. New friends, great photos, many impressions, an amazing experience that will be told to his grandchildren!
The day after from the island's perspective: Tons of garbage! Carelessly thrown away bottles, plastic cups, butts, buckets and bags as far as the eye can see. A beach polluted by rubbish ... the flood that picks up the garbage and the low tide that sucks all the scrap into the open sea like a vacuum cleaner.
For the island these days in the month are no party!
The big question now is: what can be done to make this event enjoyable for both sides, and not to mention the inhabitants of the island? How can the negative effects of Full Moon Party be minimized? Finding an answer to this question is not easy. Most of the time this discussion begins with allegations to the government or other official bodies. They are responsible for the cleanliness and waste disposal. They let the tourists to their island and make their living, so they also have to fix the negative consequences of the party.
But does not it make the page of the critics here a bit very simple? Is it fair for one side to celebrate the best party of their lives while the other side, the island, suffers so much? Would not it be fairer if the party side, which is already blessed with joy and fun anyway, takes on a bit of responsibility and thus makes it easier for the other side to deal with the consequences of this huge amount of fun?
What I mean, has with Responsibility to my environment to do! As a traveler, I have to make myself aware that wherever I go, I have an impact on my environment. I leave one footprint! And this footprint can be found not only on ecological soil, but also on cultural and social underground. Not just any carelessly thrown away plastic bottle, but also every cheeky, unfriendly reaction to the locals has an impact on the people and their country. The land you travel to: the land that you will treasure so much because of the dream beaches, the delicious food, the good parties, the nice people and from which you will swarm to your friends and your family. Is not it our responsibility to protect this country and not harm it due to carelessness?
This is not about introducing a comprehensive waste separation system, no longer driving a taxi or even boycotting the full moon party. It is about his role as Guest to become aware in this country and to treat the place and its inhabitants like a host.
Be polite and kind to the locals; dispose of your garbage in the dustbin; take a backpack with you for shopping and avoid using plastic bags; dress appropriately - in your home country, you would not walk around town wearing swimwear; be sparing with fresh water and electricity, both are scarce on the island ... especially important: Prepare for your trip to the foreign land! Read about culture, politics, watch movies, talk to other travelers. Good preparation makes you more tolerant and helps you to become a good guest.
Even if the impression arises on site: They do not even throw their garbage in the bucket, why should I do that? That too is responsibility! Your behavior can open your eyes to others, so you can help make the world a little bit better. Your karma will thank you 😉 After all, we all want to lie on a clean beach, swim in crystal clear water and be treated well by friendly locals, right? It is also in our hands to realize this wish ...
Film tip:
- Trouble in Paradise: Shana and Ben, an American couple, shot a short documentary about the Fullmoon party on Phangan. They report on the current situation, talk to locals and show the effects of the party.
http://troubleinparadisefilm.com/ - Gringo Trails: This documentary deals with the evolution of backpacker tourism and its impact on the visited regions, including Koh Phangan.
http://gringotrails.com/
Further links (German)
- Footprint Germany - Here you can have your personal footprint calculated!
- Green League Network Ecological Movements
Hallo,
First, I must confess, it is a really nice written article. I've been thinking for some time if I should take the road from Khon Kaen to see the already legendary Fullmoon Party live. However, in the past there have always been reports of the garbage desert the day after, which have repeatedly distracted me from this project. I've been here in Thailand for a while, watching daily the behavior of the travelers described by you, and how it affects the locals. Unfortunately, negative effects are becoming faster and faster. However, it is also very good faith, with an appeal to the travelers to try something to change, especially as the immense consumption of alcohol and more would not be expected that good intentions were met. Applying a polluter pays principle, as practiced in other countries, I think it makes more sense. The organizer should be taken here in the duty. And something like that can be implemented with simple means. Be it pledge beverage containers (glasses, cups, etc.) or take an environmental fee from visitors to then the next day to eliminate the mess. To leave the responsibility to the guest I think is too simple. Sure, there is a part of the solution, but what does party mean for most people? Shoot your head down by all means, and celebrate. But thinking about garbage is not on the plan. And it does not belong there either. The responsibility lies with the organizer and the authorities as well as the guest. Because if you want to earn money at the event, you also have to create the infrastructure. The taxis work out well. And there's the trash nunmal, there you have to take care of it. But blame and responsibility are only passed on in this country anyway like cash. So what's the use?
Hopefully, the military gets more control here than just a few beach shacks on Phuket and Samui. Anyone who does business with the party on Phangan does not care about the island, and that very consciousness has to be created or changed.
Hi Jens,
thanks for your comment 🙂
For sure you are right, the responsibility lies not with the guest alone, but also with the organizer or the local authority.
But this article was all about not blaming others for the chaos, but thinking about what we can do or even need to do. I realize that this problem is not solved by merely raising the moral finger and then clearing up the tourists completely unselfishly behind them. Here it needs rules, laws, regulations ... (although that is one of the reasons why we Westerners like to stay in countries like Thailand - freedom and self determination through less regulation 😉)
It was important for me to give food for thought about our behavior - and its effects - on travel in general. And in particular, we must not forget that the visitors to the Fullmoon Party are not a horde of wild, dumbfounded Party junkies, even if that sometimes works. But mostly young adults who set out to explore the world after graduation, during or after their studies. Educated people who may behave so recklessly and carelessly because they have not been confronted with the effects of their behavior.
That was the intention behind this article - just give it a thought.
I'm glad that you took the trouble to write a comment. Exchange is certainly the most important thing here!
Regards