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Haad Rin is on the island of Ko Pha Ngan off the coast of Thailand. Most famous for their Full Moon Party.
Haad Rin
is compact enough to be walkable, although for some of the resorts on the headland you might want to consider a motorbike ride. Motorbike hire is widely available from many vendors. Although there is
minimal traffic the hills around Haad Rin are steep and therefore it's not advisable for inexperienced riders to tackle them. Resorts will order transfer by minibus, songthaew or motorbike to and from
the pier.
If you're after party heaven you can't do better than Haad Rin. It is most popular one night a month - the night of the Full Moon Party. Every bar is hopping, the beaches packed with
trance, dance, buckets, and various other suspicious substances. However, if the sight of thousands of bottles and other trash repulses you, make sure you leave the beach area before the sun comes up, or
grab a garbage bag and help tidy up a little.
Cactus Bar. A busy place that tends to play R'n'B, pop and all the other chart rubbish that you can hear in any cheesy nightclub the world over. Serves
its purpose though as it separates the hardcore of ravers from the annoying "spring break rules!" types.
Drop Inn Bar at the top end of Haad Rin is one the biggest bars on the beach.
Cocktails are cheap, they have plenty of beach seating and great fire shows. Music is generally commercial dance mixed in with house. One of the best music selections on a regular night.
Mellow
Mountain. Built into the side of a cliff. After a precarious ascent up the stairs, expect to find 'special shakes' (the "Happy Shake" is the house special) and a very chilled out, laid back
atmosphere - perfect if you want to escape the bustle of the beach party.
Vinyl Club is more for dancing to techno, but serves drinks as well. Right next door is Zoom Bar which offers more of the
same.
Be very careful where you sleep and store your belongings if you're going for the Full Moon Party, as every month at this time many people have their bungalows broken into and valuables
stolen. There are safety deposit boxes available at many resorts and in the town itself, but there are also reports of theft from some of these. Try find somewhere where you can at least use your own
padlock, or stay at one of the higher end resorts if you can afford it. Alternatively, consider not staying at Ko Pha Ngan - you can get a boat over to the party from Ko Samui. If you do have stuff
stolen, expect a long line queuing to report thefts at the police station the next day, and to have to pay for a report if you need one for your insurance.
It might be a great night out, but it's
not so great in the morning when you find yourself with no money and no passport...
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