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Town on Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
Photo: Sgroey, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Haad Rin, or Hat Rin, is on the island of Ko Pha Ngan off the coast of Thailand. Every month it draws tens of thousands of party goers for the (in)famous Full Moon Party.
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Homemade Italian food.
Good breakfast, fresh seafood and grilled steaks and big burgers.
Excellent Indian restaurant serving tasty curries
Great food in a roofed, but open restaurant. Homely atmosphere provided by the owner's children, pets and Thai soaps on TV. Always busy, even in low season and non-FMP weeks. It's almost impossible to get a table on the night of FMP. Reasonably priced.
Western style hamburger and chips. Different burger and meal types available. Good for late night meal, open 24 hrs.
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 as it separates hardcore ravers from the annoying backpackers.
The largest indoor club on Ko Pha Ngan just steps away from the famous party beach. Attracts people for its mixture of full moon entertainment, live music, reputable DJs, themed parties and private VIP service. Offers a fresh entertainment atmosphere that differs from the repetitiveness of the beach party scene.
Pool parties to give some craziness on nights where there isn't some lunar celebration happening. Free taxis cruise the town to take you there. Don't arrive too early - some people got on the taxis at 19:00 expecting a party to find hotel residents eating dinner and swimming at sunset. Lots of sweaty, luminous dancing on tables and questionable activities in the pool. Not quite full on Full Moon madness, but certainly memorable.
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.
Below Mellow Mountain and offers the exact same thing, including "happy shakes".
The most (in)famous location in Haad Rin. After a precarious ascent up the stairs, expect to find 'special shakes' (the "Happy Shake" is the house special, 500 baht each) full of fungal fun. A very chilled out, laid back atmosphere - perfect if you want to escape the bustle of the beach party. Like many similar places in Thailand, police generally ignore the goings on, but be aware it is illegal and so you could be arrested. Many visitors to Haad Rin venture here for at least a look, even if not trying a shake. A full bar is available.
For dancing to techno, but serves drinks as well. Next door is Zoom Bar which offers more of the same.
Basic apartments, a little noisy with revellers but to be expected in a party hotspot. Laid-back family running the shop and apartments, quite happy to let you wait while they finish dinner before you book in. Seems to cater specifically to Israelis, with Israeli flags and Hebrew script on every sign.
Decent little resort, nice pool, on Hat Rin Nai beach. Basic but clean rooms, air-con, tiny strongbox. Resort also has lots of facilities like a gym, laundry, restaurant, water sports and if you're lucky you can get a free taxi to your hotel if you act like you're going to the pool party.
All rooms have twin beds with light comfortable duvets, shower and bathtub, large balcony, strong box, minibar, Wi-Fi. 24-hour front desk.
All bungalows have been tastefully furnished blending traditional Thai and modern design elements to create very comfortable open air environments. Each bungalow has a private balcony with hammock and balcony furniture. Swimming pool and beach bar.
Affordable beachfront accommodation on the more peaceful end of the beach. Their restaurant serves a homemade sweet breakfast, vegan dishes, and healthy fresh meals.
Excellent location. Beach front bungalows, lively bar playing music throughout the day and great for a drink at night and at the full moon party.
A large, Thai family's shop that sells everything from dinner plates to buckets to fireworks. Pretty cheap and you can find everything you need, including that luminous body paint you've always wanted.
Haad Rin is compact enough to be walkable, although it might be better to take a motorbike to some of the resorts on the headland. Motorbike hire is widely available.
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Na Thon (Ko Samui Island) · International · USM
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