Is Pha-ngan's Haad Rin a tourist paradise lost?
Haad Rin Beach on Koh Pha-ngan was packed with foreign revellers for a full-moon party on Thursday night. Even amid rains and storm, the white-sand beach remains a party paradise for tourists around the world.
The wild party with more than 20,000 people started early. Many of the revellers showed up with painted faces and bodies. As they turned up the volume of the music, more tourists flocked in with drinks in their hands. Some jumped up on the stage to move their hips to the music.
This was the 32nd year of the full-moon party. Through these three decades, this southern island off the Gulf of Thailand has carved a niche for itself on the tourism map, bringing economic vitality to the local community with tourism revenue of more than Bt10 billion in 2012 through job creation and tourism-related business growth.
During the peak season, the number of night party-goers is estimated to double and reach 100,000 for New Year celebrations.
However, its rapid growth in the past 18 years has created a headache, too.