Full-Moon Party To Be Allowed Only At Haad Rin

The Nation
October 26, 2014
By Suwannee Bundisak, Kornkamol Aksorndech

All public parties in the Koh Pha-ngan district in Surat Thani province - except the full-moon party at Haad Rin - have been banned to "prevent crime and vices".

The move follows the gruesome murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao, a nearby island, which are still under investigation.

Haad Rin is the original site on Pha-ngan Island where the world-renowned beach party has been held on full moon nights.

The province's Governor Chatpong Chatphuti consulted Surat Thani Army commander Maj-General Kleukul Inchan and related officials to find long-term crime-prevention measures. This lead to the district office cancelling all beach parties except the one event. With the country still under martial law, all sides - including business operators - reportedly agreed.

The governor's order also makes it mandatory to seek his approval via the district office for any event to be hosted on a beach or public space. The order cites prevention of crime and vices as the reason for banning parties, after the Koh Tao killings hammered the country's image and tourism.

Meanwhile, Koh Tao residents joined in a vegetarian festival for the second day yesterday and said they prayed for the good health of Their Majesties the King and Queen while also making merit for the two British tourists killed in September. The festival runs until November 1.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Police Area 5 yesterday held a meeting of nine police stations under its jurisdiction to beef up security for tourists.

Following the meeting, area deputy chief Pol Colonel Somneuk Noikhong told the press that the meeting followed instructions from the National Council for Peace and Order for additional measures to promote tourism by restoring visitors' confidence to visit Thailand during the upcoming high season.

The measures include a through checking of the car/motorbike rental businesses at tourist areas; checking ferry/boat businesses to strictly observe safety protocol; checking tour bus and taxi operators to ensure the drivers had a licence, they were sober and passengers were given insurance cover.

Full-moon party only at Haad Rin - The Nation

The party bars on Samui will not be short of ideas for replacement parties. They could always fall back on the rotation of 'staff birthday' celebrations to pull mugs in.

They could always instigate the celebraion of the generals '12 values' at the rate of one per month.

^ ^ ^

The last comment would fit in perfectly

The governor's order also makes it mandatory to seek his approval via the district office for any event to be hosted on a beach or public space. The order cites prevention of crime and vices as the reason for banning parties, after the Koh Tao killings hammered the country's image and tourism.

Chink, chink. I can just hear the cash register. Lubly jubly.
sep

Untold millions of baht to be lost - watch for crime to rise, and then the parties to return by New Year's

Yes, good, haad rin is where all the dope is sold !