IDthailand: Full Moon Party

IDsteve, 25 February 2013 AT 02:02 AM

Nearly thirty years ago, a group of 15 or 20 visitors to a little-known Thai beach threw a little party to celebrate the beauty of the evening’s full moon. Today, anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 people flock to Haad Rin, a little beach on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, to do the same—every time there is a full moon.

With the beach already buzzing full of people and small lamps, the party officially begins at dusk, when the golden moon rises over the white sands of Haad Rin. Over the next several hours, until the sun rises again, the beach turns into an all-out dance floor, as the DJ lineup switches things up from trance, to techno, to drum-and-bass, to reggae, to pop—pretty much any and everything to keep the crowd moving. Some will take a break to eat (there are beach vendors selling all kinds of yummy foods), perhaps take a dip into the warm Gulf of Thailand, or even shoot some of the impromptu fireworks you are bound to see.

All you’ve heard about conservative Thai culture doesn’t apply here—and that’s not surprising considering that very few partygoers are actually Thai. Pretty much anything goes, although police have made an effort in recent years to curb some of the rampant drug use that the party had become known for.

But while you have to keep your wits about you—Thai drug laws are strict (or, more likely, you’ll be expected to pay a hefty bribe) and the parties are often marred with petty theft—the Full Moon party is truly something to experience, unlike anything you’ve seen before or will likely see again.

IN Events, Social, Beach Parties, Full Moon Party, Haad Rin, IDhaadrin, IDthailand, Nightlife, Thailand / 0 Comments

IDthailand: Doggie Heaven

IDsteve, 30 December 2012 AT 10:12 PM

If you spend more than $100 a week on your dog, allow it to sleep in your bed, or otherwise treat your dog better than you would a child, stop reading now, before you realize that all of that money you’re spending, extra cleaning you’re doing or ridiculous care you’re giving is more for your benefit than the dog’s. Do you really think the dog cares that he’s eating ‘premium’ dog food? Do you think the dog wouldn’t sleep just as well outside, or in the living room? Garage?

Where did I learn this? Thailand. Go see for yourself.

See, Thailand is full of stray dogs. It’s also heaven. For dogs.

First of all, forget grooming. It doesn’t matter what you look like. What dog likes a bath?

No baths.

Next, forget dog food. What dog would prefer dog food to table scraps?

Only table scraps.

One of the first things you notice in Thailand is the abundance of street food. Throughout most of Thailand, you literally can’t walk a few meters without passing some kind of grilled meat, squid, sliced pineapple, mango, fruit juice, watermelon, nut or pancake.

Thai Chicken

One of the next things you notice in Thailand is the abundance of stray dogs. Everywhere.

I’ve always been afraid of stray dogs, probably dating back to a memory I have clear as yesterday of being chased from the grocery store all the way back to my grandmother’s doorstep in sleepy Spencer, Massachusetts, when I was, oh, six years old. It’s probably no wonder why stray dogs in America are cold and violent, because we’re all afraid of them, and judge them for lack of grooming. In Thailand, though…it almost feels as though every dog on the street is the community’s dog, and they’re all treated as such.

Street food in abundance, stray dogs in abundance…you do the math:

So you tell me where dogs are happier…here in the States (or any number of other ‘advanced’ societies) with our extra premium crap cooked up by a ‘chef’ who calls himself “Woofgang,” or the land of opportunity where dogs eat food fit for kings. You choose…”Eatables” or papaya salad!!

IN IDlifestyle, Dog Food, Dogs, IDkohsamet, IDthailand, Koh Samet, Street Food, Thailand / 0 Comments

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