Full Moon is Banned
This week has seen a flurry of news stories surrounding the infamous Full Moon Party that takes place regularly at Koh Phangan in Surat Thani.
“a ban...proposed by government ministers”
A ban has been proposed by government ministers thanks to complaints about the loud level of noise, the damage to the environment and the drug and alcohol related crime that the party allegedly produces.
The pictures of the beach the morning after the night before are certainly enough to make your average Khao San eco-warrior hippie vomit up their ten baht breakfast pad-thai — litter lapping against the waves, contraceptives and beer bottles nestled among the shells and sleeping tourists half naked as the sun rises all contribute to this off-putting scene.
The Koh Phangan Full Moon Party is advertised freely by millions of westerners each year as they purchase the relevant t-shirts and then wear them daily when they return home to the USA, England or Europe. This is, of course, until they realise everyone else also has such a t-shirt.
“immense promotion for Thailand...a serious amount of cold hard cash”
Koh Phangan Tourism Association has commented that the decision to propose a ban is a bad idea, as it will remove something that provides immense promotion for Thailand and also something that brings in a serious amount of cold hard cash (not their exact words).
They also added that the party had no ill effect on the environment, because if it did, the locals would have already shut it down. Even though it is lining their pockets monthly.
Updates this week
This week I have added several new articles to the site, starting with a look at Chiang Mai for children courtesy of Jane followed by a personal account of a Thai Mother, thanks to B. Thank you to both for their articles.
Also added to the articles section is a closer look at Luang Prabang in Laos. Singapore is reviewed for her gastronomic delights, Isaan, Thailand, the land of edible insects, The Mehkong River is exposed and finally an article on the bustling heights of the City of Angels, Bangkok.
Also, a large number of scenes of Laos have been added to the Gallery. You can check the gallery out here.