Haad Rin is the scene of perhaps the world’s biggest regular party. Its two main beaches are Sunset Beach (Haad Rin Nai) to the south and the larger Sunrise Beach (Haad Rin Nok) to the north. The famous Full Moon Party takes place on Sunrise Beach each month although there are Half Moon and other Moon parties taking place across the island.
The town and beach first became popular with backpackers escaping the tourist influx to Koh Samui in the 1980s. As the popularity of the beach and Full Moon Party has increased, the town has grown to accommodate the new visitors. The town is centred around Chicken Corner, a crossroads and popular meeting spot.
Haad Rin Beach itself is a beautiful place to visit. On quiet nights when the crowds are not in attendance the Milky Way stretches across the sky leaving spectators a feeling of genuine awe.
Accommodation in Haad Rin has been undergoing a radical change in its nature from the style found in the early days of the Full Moon Party. Whereas originally backpacker accommodation was available in the form of basic beach shacks with balconies and hammocks for a very low price, there has been a huge rise in the number of air-conditioned rooms and apartment blocks is bringing a completely different feel to the resort. The concrete road from Thongsala has also made the entry road much less dangerous but has also reduced the “Robinson Crusoe” effect.
Haad Rin is a peninsular beach area and town on the southern tip of Ko Pha Ngan, an island in the Gulf of Thailand. Its two main beaches are Sunset Beach (Haad Rin Nai) to the south and the larger Sunrise Beach (Haad Rin Nok) to the north. The famous Full Moon Party takes place on Sunrise Beach each month.
The town and beach first became popular with backpackers escaping the tourist influx to Ko Samui in the 1980s. As the popularity of the beach and Full Moon Party have increased, the town has grown to accommodate the new visitors. The town is centred around Chicken Corner, a crossroads and popular meeting spot.
