Hi -I'm going to Thailand for Christmas and New Year this year and will be heading to the Full Moon Party for New Year. I was wondering if it's best to stay in Phangnan or Koh Samui and get the boat over for the party? We are not on too much of a tight budget so want to stay somewhere quite nice. Any suggestions?

First, are you absolutely SURE you want to go to the full moon party? Full Moon Party Photo Gallery by kananga at pbase.com
Remember that it is rainy season on Ko Phangan and Ko Samui at that time of year as well....

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Some reviews I have read have suggested that it is best to stay on Phangang before and after" foolmoon party" and we talked to a few people over the years in Thailand that had some real horror stories about overpacking the speed boats with people to get them back to samui.

You will have to book real early to get a good place to stay and if you look at some of the hotels they do a fullmoon package.

Looks a total mess but if I was a bit younger I would be going too.

Den

If I were you I would definately go to Phangan instead of Samui.

Haad Yao West beach on Phangan is probably the best bet where it is laid back and the restaurants and most of the life are on the beach, great sunsets , nice swimming beach at that time of year with good sand,

Then you can get a taxi to the full moon party and come back whenever you want during the night,taxis will run allnight.
The boat from Samui on full moon night is dangerous they get overloaded having caused innocent deaths in the past.

Samui will be very busy and most the restaurants and bars etc are off the beach so that beach atmosphere is missing, full of ho's and lady boys and the ugly tourist syndrome,but can be fun if you like that sort of thing.
On Phangan you dont see the ugly side so much, (except at the full moon partys) , on Phangan you are amongst interesting travellers from all over the world.

If budget is no problem then try Haad Yao Bayview Resort just got back from there, I could spend all day in the restaurant looking down the beach,it has a pool and the newest rooms on the beach,the most expensive and some cheaper end rooms too.Otherwise HaadYao still has cheaper wooden huts too like the old days.

Catch Phangan before it gets much more developed, time is running out