There are some islands in Thailand that are the ideal destination if you want to sit in the sunshine and relax in complete tranquillity and there are other islands where you can go if you want to drink rum from a plastic bucket, make lots of new friends and dance until the sun comes up. The party scene at these islands is legendary and backpackers from all over the world travel to Thailand to drink and be merry in paradise.
So where are some of the most unforgettable Thai party spots? Here are a few of the islands in Thailand that offer a lively and fun nightlife experience:
Koh Phangan
Attending one of the famous Full Moon Parties in Koh Phangan is a must for any Southeast Asia backpacker. The beach bars boom with the sound of hip hop and techno music and people from all over the world decorated with glowing neon body paint rave until dawn. The Full Moon Party has grown to become one of the biggest beach festivals in the world, with a total of between 8,000-12,000 hedonistic partygoers travelling to Haad Rin every month in the low season and 15,000-20,000 in high season.
Koh Phi Phi
Your life on this paradise island will consist of sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling in the daytime, watching the sunset over the ocean from the viewpoint and then partying all night long. When it gets dark the beach will be filled with fire dancers and live music and you can sip beers or Thai whisky and cola at a plastic table with your feet in the sand. During your visit to Koh Phi Phi you can take a boat trip to picturesque Maya Bay, the beach you will recognise from the film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a popular destination for students and young travellers and there are a lot of excellent beaches on this island, offering a fun and laid back party scene. One of the best is Chaweng Beach, decorated with brightly coloured lights and lined with night clubs and bars.
Take a walk down Soi Green Mango, which is a loud and brash street lined with pubs and dance joints – including a few naughty strip clubs and erotic dance shows. It is also home to the famous Green Mango Club, which is a huge warehouse that pumps hip hop and mainstream tunes as well as techno and house music.
Phuket
Patong is the centre of the nightlife scene in Phuket and although it is a bit seedy, it's a noisy, colourful, chaotic place to drink with friends and there is always something interesting happening that will make a great story the next morning. Bangla Road is packed with a mix of beer bars, go-go bars and pubs, including Irish pubs that sell real pints of Guinness and Saxophone – a live music venue on the beach road offering Jazz, Blues and Funk music. When it comes to nightclubs, there are many to choose from including the very busy Tai Pan and the creatively designed Tiger Bar.
Koh Chang
The nightlife on Koh Chang is fairly mellow and laid back compared to the other islands, so if you are looking for somewhere to sit back in a chilled out beach bar, listen to reggae music and hang out with your friends – this might be a great place for you. The Jungle Queen Live Music Bar has a house band that plays from 8pm until midnight and they have free pool. The Mojito Lounge in Kaie Bay is a funky cocktail club with live DJs playing quality music.
These are some of the best islands in Thailand where you can enjoy an epic night out on your backpacking adventures. When you wake up with a sore head the next morning, a fruit smoothie, a hammock and a warm tropical breeze from the ocean will be the perfect cure for your hangover and by the evening you will be ready to do it all again!