Updated 2 years ago
Excellent article with amazing layout and photos!
The Full Moon Party on the Thai island of Koh Pha Ngan is the stuff of legend.
Now Covid-19 has put a stop to it. And some see an opportunity for a different type of tourism.
Is this the end of backpacking in Thailand?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/sgzd3bkqdp/thailand-death-of-the-full-moon-party
Wylie and Pete in Thailand 2004
Greeting suckers, Hows the weather in New York? Is it chilly? We (Peter and Wylie) took the 10pm speed boat from Thong Nai Pan on the north end of Koh Phagnan down to Haad Rin beach where we launched an amphibious assault on what looked like something from Apocalypse Now. Imagine sort of a cross between a Wagnerian assault met with USO Trance party but instead of bombs and shells booming and flashing it was bass thumping and lights and fireworks. Along a 500m beachfront were no less than a dozen different bars each sporting their own indoor and outdoor sound systems. Roughly half of these were trance in its various denominations. There was TranceCore or Hard trance, the were three psytrance bars and there was House and Reggae and Hip Hop and Drumb and Base too. It was a cornucopia or virtual smorgasbord of dance music. The denizens comprised 5-6000 Aussies (45%) Euro-trash (30%) and Thais (10-15%) in my estimation. Like New York, I was the only American I saw. This was eerie because most of these people, boyz and girlz, dressed just like American surfers/trancers yet when they replied to my greeting, it was in German or Danish but mostly Australian. This party was so big that one could not possibly sweep every bar and meet everyone. On the downside, this made it a little impersonal and everyone was a little standoffish (especially the white girls) . Though i saw a bunch of people tripping and several people ODing on apparently acid or more likely Fungi, I failed to “get sorted” and after several attempts gave up. It was a much more alcohol-based and a less psychedelic type party. This made it less intimate and “spiritual” if you know what I mean (I can’t believe I am writing this). As Mr. Machinelf was not present I felt a call to duty and had my face painted a la fluorescent and donned several Shamistic devices. This enticed many Aussies to take my picture (and a few Euros) but after that, they were done with me, and my dancing with their women was frowned upon. It was interesting to see such a huge party but the vibe wasn’t as cool as our New York parties or even as cool as Woodstock 94. Of course, some of this may be attributed to my being alone, not knowing anyone, and most likely being confused with a drunken Aussie. I wish we could have all been there (i.e., except Kelly, Lisa, and NanOUCH! just kidding). It was fun to see all the drunken Aussies which with enough alcohol, drop the “u”. They are predominantly good-natured surfer types that engage in horseplay and fall off tables and chairs and throw beer, water and sand on their good-natured women who fight back in like manner. Then there were the local girls probably half of which were semi-professional of which by default I shared many a dance. However, and this is KEY, one must with care be aware of traces of an Adam’s apple. Even this is not a sure-fire test in identifying a Lady-Boy. If their shoulders exceed in girth their waist and they walk with an exaggerated gait RUN! Or you know dow whatever you really want to do… Like all great outdoor trance parties, the best was the following dawn and morning. This weeded out the non-trancers and really snotty Eurotrash. With this came the crazy uninhibited signs of exuberance, affection, and glee. The scene was unbelievably beautiful with the sunrise casting light on the clouds above while itself was blocked by storm clouds. There was a heavy, warm, and welcoming rain that only fueled the well-kindled vibe. After which the sun broke out, it rained again and the sun came again and it rained with the sun out and people were swimming in the turquoise surf …..It was great! This continued until this sober trance warrior limped homeward at around 11am leaving two separate trance parties going the distance under prime conditions. This is your foreign correspondent Wylie on the BWN “Brainmachines World News” -this has been a syndicated Wylie transmission
Part II
Hey Guys, I am back fro another installment. Well, it is official both Peter and I have been slightly sausaged from the Sausage Monster. From Samui to Koh Phagnan to Koh Tau it is very cheap to rent motorbikes which is the best way to get around. On Samui the fist night we rented Honda 4 stroke enduro bikes and the next morning we headed off to the mountain trails. I have to say Pete was a trooper and plowed right along on some formidable climbs and mud pits, ruts, jumps, and deep sliding hills. Hats off Pete! At the top of the mountain, there was a waterfall and we stopped at a place called Uncle Min’s Magic Garden where we got drinks and went swimming with a bunch of little local kids. They teased and taunted poor Pete taking his clothes and pulling the hair on his back. Apparently, they had never seen a hairy bald white man like Petey before which made me wonder what Gym teachers and for that matter, refrigerator repairmen look like in Thailand. Surrounding the falls were strewn a memorable collection of Buddhist (and multi-armed Hindu-esque) statues. This was a great place to visit, swim, and hang out. If I had a digital camera perhaps I would have attached some photos. We were able to descend the mountain, get to a gas station and have the mud-caked bikes hosed off and return them just in time. This was a good thing because we found out later that in the contract it specified that were not allowed to take the bikes to the mountains. Ooops. The next day I rented time at a real motocross track by the hour on a really cherry ’91 Honda CR250 Elsinore two-stroke. After a half-hour, I was beginning for mercy but the track was good and I caught some nice air. Don’t worry mom they had all the gear including helmet, boots, and body armor. All’s I broke was two clutch levers (right Tony?) Up to this point, there were no injuries. On Koh Phagnan, our accommodations were on the North East of the Island. The only way to get there was by speed boat, or 4wd cab or dirt bike over the mountain trails which were washed out roads with ruts and bumps and mud and slid ing sand. Petey and I again rented two 250 4 stoke enduro bikes. Petey’s had a rack and he bungied all his stuff down. I, with shorts on had all my stuff including guitar on my back and we set off. Of Course, we didn’t know that we would be going over the heavy-duty mountain trails. I tried to jump a rut as I was being cut off by a jeep going the other way. I slipped on the sand and sausaged my right knee! ( and broke the brake lever)!! After that, we didn’t have any problems on Koh Phagnan. I met this crazy guy Marcos from California and we had some sick rallies through the woods at night. WE were the fastest dudes on that Island. Thailand is a GREAT! also rent good cheap bikes and ride of some really good challenging trails. But start slow, wear shoes and long pants, ask for helmets, and go slow down the hills. Otherwise go Nuts! and Beware of the Sausage Monster!!! Oh yeah, we had more of the same on Koh Tau. Except finally there were some good snorkeling sites at hard to get places on the Island. (More on diving and snorkeling later) I had a 4 stroke enduro and Petey got the 2 stroke honda 200cc. Poor Petey got bit by the bike as it had a “power surge” and he was left with a sausaged elbow. He is now on the road to recovery. WE just arrived in Phuket and are setting sail on a Chinese Junk for a 5 day 6 night live aboard dive excursion ot the Similians (with unlimited diving YEAH!!!) wylie out
