Experience the exhilarating thrill of a full moon.
"Land of a Hundred Islands, Delicious Mangosteen, Large Oysters, Red Eggs, and a Center of Buddhism"
Surat Thani, a major tourist destination in southern Thailand, despite its coastal location on the Gulf of Thailand.
When it comes to this province, one must think of Koh Sawaat, the heavenly beach, as it is a province with some of the most beautiful islands in Thailand.
Let's begin our journey. I don't want to talk too much, my throat hurts!
Direct Flight to Southern Thailand with AirAsia FD3233
Enjoy a convenient journey to southern Thailand with AirAsia flight FD3233 (19:20) from Don Mueang to Surat Thani. The flight takes only 1 hour and 15 minutes, ensuring a punctual arrival.
Please provide the text you would like me to translate.
Right on time!!!
Warping to Surat Thani is unbelievably fast.
Where will you sleep when you arrive?
Today, I will share my experience of "sleeping at the airport".
Driven by the desire to experience sleeping at an airport, we decided to give it a try, as dawn was approaching in a few hours.
We approached the security guard in the building, who informed us that sleeping was not permitted. "You can't sleep here," he said.
The security guard was very kind and helpful, offering advice throughout the night. While airports that are not open 24 hours do not typically allow overnight stays, a delayed flight caused the airport to remain open all night, allowing passengers to stay inside. The security guard kindly informed us that we could stay there for the night. However, it is important to note that this was an exceptional circumstance and that staying overnight at airports is generally not permitted. Please follow airport regulations.
Let's sleep here. It's so cool. There are some foreign friends sitting around chatting, listening to music, and sleeping. Oh, it's so cool, dad.
Zzz...
...
The morning air is fresh and invigorating, with tiny raindrops gently sprinkling down.
Before boarding the ship, I discovered a restaurant outside the passenger terminal. It's located near the restrooms, through a small exit. The prices are reasonable and much lower than airport prices. I highly recommend it. There are two restaurants with affordable options.
Hot Thai iced tea, so good!
It's time to set sail for love. We bought tickets at the airport, at the Pantip counter for 400 baht. Surat Thani Airport - Koh Samui to the pier of the company Sea Tran Ferry. There is a bus from the airport to the pier. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach the pier.
The bus ride to the pier was long, with three naps in between. It felt like an eternity.
Boarding the ferry felt like standing on the Titanic. The music playing added to the atmosphere.
Even a large ship can capsize.
We have arrived at Koh Samui.
What's on Koh Samui??? Oh, what's there?
Let's go see.
Before heading out, find a motorbike rental shop. Standard motorbikes are available for 250 baht, while larger engine bikes cost between 350 and 400 baht. These prices are generally affordable. The rental shop is conveniently located near the pier, so you won't have to walk far. No worries!
Koh Samui is an island that has everything you need, just like being on the mainland. It even has car showrooms, and in some ways, it's more developed than some provinces.
Open the map to view tourist attractions. Click on the "Namtok Na Muang" icon and set your GPS to navigate there.
Be careful, there are two waterfalls: Namtok Na Mueang 1 and Namtok Na Mueang 2, which are different.
The first city gate has abundant water and free admission.
The majority of visitors to Na Muang 2 engage in adventure activities. It is reported that the water level is not particularly high, and the entrance fee is 50 baht for both Thai and foreign nationals.
As for us, we must go to Namtok Na Mueang 1. What are we waiting for?
Namtok Na Mueang is a stunning waterfall with minimal tourist crowds.
It would be great if there was sticky rice too. Well, it's a waterfall. Haha, I can play by myself, right?
Leaving the waterfall, we headed to our next destination, the "Hin Ta Hin Yai" rocks.
Why are they called "eye stones" and "grandmother stones"? I had to look it up on Google to find out.
Oh, I see. So that's how it is.
This must be the Hin Ta.
And this must be the grandmother's stone, isn't it?
They weren't being vulgar, honestly. They just said it like that.
The air here is incredibly refreshing. As the sun sets, casting its golden rays, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks creates a serene atmosphere.
Hey there! Are you a local? Nice to meet you!^^
The sun had set, and darkness began to descend. We returned to Chaweng Beach, which was close to our accommodation. Usually, this beach is bustling with tourists socializing, but on the night we visited, it was a major Buddhist holiday, and the sale and consumption of alcohol were prohibited.
Silence. Absolute silence. It was eerily quiet.
On the shelves, there are only soft drinks and juices. Is that all? 😭😭😭
Then go back to sleep.
We stayed at Samui Hostel, a budget-friendly hostel where we shared rooms with a mix of international and local travelers. The focus was on affordability and a comfortable place to sleep, so we won't go into further detail.
Our priority was relaxation, so we opted for late mornings to conserve energy for our adventures.
Before leaving, let's make a promise. Oh, no, not that! Before leaving Koh Samui, let's pay our respects at the temple for good luck. Let's head to the Big Buddha Temple!
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Climbing up to the Big Buddha, the view is beautiful and the breeze is cool and comfortable.
Farewell, my love, remember the promises you made. Goodbye, Koh Samui.
The ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan costs 200 baht and is operated by the company Songserm. The pier is located near the 7-Eleven store.
Waiting for the boat under the scorching sun
Here's the translation:
Our cruise ship has arrived! It's not a very big ship, but it's incredibly comfortable. I slept the whole way!
The scene cuts to Phangan.
"Hello, Phangan Island."
The weather is quite hot, typical of an island climate.
The people of Koh Phangan welcome you.
The same as before, I'm looking to rent a motorbike. This time it's a real challenge, I must say. Because here they don't allow Thai people to rent. If you want to rent, you have to pay a deposit of 10,000 baht. Oh my god, seriously? What should I do now? I'm about to faint from walking.
After searching tirelessly, I was on the verge of giving up and taking a shared taxi. Just as I was about to do so, I stumbled upon a shop called "Go Holiday Tour" right across from the pier. What a stroke of luck!
The kind and honest shopkeeper allowed a Thai person to rent a motorbike even though they only had enough money for the trip and no deposit. The shopkeeper said, "If you dare to ask, I dare to give." Thank you so much! I got the motorbike! The price is reasonable, starting at 250 baht. I recommend this shop to anyone visiting Koh Phangan. If they are honest with us, we should be honest with them too. Take care of their motorbike. Honesty is always the best policy, because Thai people have a bad reputation for not returning rented motorbikes. Let's restore the reputation of Thai people... I'm feeling motivated! :D
The business card we requested from the store.
With the car, we headed straight to Drin Beach, where the Full Moon Party was taking place.
The road to Rin Beach is quite rough, so a powerful car is recommended. The road is uphill, winding, and has many turns.
Drive with utmost caution.
We were originally headed to Haad Rin, but we stumbled upon a scenic viewpoint along the way. The shop's beckoning charm drew us in.
The restaurant's name is Mong Lay Restaurant & Viewpoint. It offers stunning views, delicious food, and refreshing drinks. We highly recommend this establishment. The tom kha gai (chicken in coconut soup) is particularly noteworthy; its flavor still lingers in our memory. It's truly exceptional.
We've already burned the head at Mong Ler's shop. Let's hurry to Had Rin and see the party. I'm dying to see it!
As you enter the Rin Beach area, the party atmosphere becomes palpable. The streets are lined with shops selling liquor buckets, glow-in-the-dark body paint, and various party props.
Upon entry, a fee of 100 baht will be collected by staff, who will also provide a cute, pastel-colored wristband.
As you make your way to the beach, you'll be greeted by a vibrant scene of people dressed in skimpy outfits and adorned with various party props, all eagerly anticipating the night's festivities.
There are many 7-Eleven stores and minimarts inside the event, offering a wide variety of food and drinks. You don't have to worry about going hungry, but prices are slightly higher than outside. Food stalls within the event are more expensive for convenience. Beer, for example, costs 100 baht per bottle, almost 50% more expensive than at 7-Eleven.
We have arrived at Haad Rin, the location of Thailand's renowned Full Moon Party.
Let's paint since we've already brought the materials.
This is the largest drinking event in the country.
The entire beach was transformed into a party.
There are activities to watch and play.
Exhilarating and immensely enjoyable.
Those who want to stay until the morning and fall asleep before the event ends, there is a place to sleep. Sleep Area Free We tried it. It hurts our back. There is a little sand. The point is that it is cold because it is wet. 555
Zzz
The party raged on until dawn, with the revelers dancing as if they had just arrived. The energy was electrifying, with only the weak succumbing to exhaustion and collapsing on the sandy beach.
In the late morning, officials began to collect garbage, and the party gradually thinned out until it finally stopped.
An impressive sight was a Westerner diligently collecting plastic straws littering the beach. This heartwarming act, regardless of the motivation, deserves praise for its public-spiritedness. Their dedication is truly admirable.
Attending the Full Moon Party was an eye-opening experience. I was amazed by things I never thought possible. "Is this really allowed?" I thought to myself. But here, the answer is always "yes." It was a constant stream of "wows" and "oh my goodnesses."
Some experiences are too profound to be expressed in words; they must be felt firsthand.
Baaibai, Koh Phangan: A Paradise for Thrill-Seekers
We headed straight back to shore without stopping anywhere.
Exhausted! 5555
The return ferry was booked with Pantip, the same as the outbound journey (booked in advance to avoid the risk of the ferry being full and having no return trip). The pier belonged to Raja Ferry Company and cost 500 baht. The return trip was very crowded, with no seats available. Passengers had to find space on the floor as most people were returning at the same time.
Fortunately, I decided to return to the ship at 12:30 p.m. because it took a considerable amount of time for the ship to reach the shore and for the bus to reach the airport.
Arrived at the airport around 6:00 AM and waiting to board the return flight at 9:05 PM. Still flying with AirAsia.
There's nothing like seeing it for yourself. This trip has brought me so much new knowledge and experiences.
See you again, Surat Thani.
Farewell
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Wednesday, February 26, 2025 7:06 PM