All Beach Parties Banned on Surat Thani’s Islands , Except Full Moon Party on Phangan Island

Beach events, such as the Black Moon and Half Moon parties, were partly responsible for problems affecting the province’s tourism.

The governor of Surat Thani, Chatpong Chatphuti stated the ban is to protect the security of tourists.

However the monthly Full Moon Parties on Rin beach of Koh Phangan, it will stay in place.

The ban is part of Thailand’s Authorities’ efforts to put a stop to vice and illegal activities which have put  the country’s  tourism image at risk, Mr Chatpong said in his order.

Beach events, such as the Black Moon and Half Moon parties, were partly responsible for problems affecting the province’s tourism.

The ban came after Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke during his weekly ‘Returning Happiness to the People’ program Friday night that  it was time to restore order on the province’s islands.

The parties are often held in private places  in secluded areas with not enough protection by security officials.

The order was passed on to all relevant government and private offices in Koh Phangan, while posters putting  up around the island district informing tourists of upcoming events, including the Black Moon, Jungle Moon, and Experience Moon parties, were being removed

Meanwhile Royal Thai Police  spokesman Pol Maj-Gen  Prawut Thawornsiri said the police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang had instructed officers nationwide to step up measures ensuring safety for tourists as the country enters its high season.

In addition to facilitate tourists visiting the country, the Immigration Bureau was also advised to keep better records of the number of visitors arriving, and where they stay, which can help in the event of security incidents.

Such information is  useful for the Tourist Police Bureau when handling security measures, he said. – Thai PBS