SURAT THANI: Koh Phangan is jumping this weekend to the one-two beat of New Year celebrations and the full-moon parties for which the southern island is famous.
Tens of thousands of visitors flocked to the crescent-shaped Haad Rin beach beneath the full moon on Friday night and partied until after dawn on Saturday.
Wannee Thaipanich, president of the Phangan Tourist Promotion Association, said the party went smoothly and there were no negative incidents. An estimated 80,000 holidaymakers attended the event, she said.
And the partiers aren't finished yet, she said. Most of them will be back on Monday night on the same beach to welcome in 2013.
"There will be many activities and events including beach sports and an international beauty pageant," she said. "At least 100,000 local and foreign visitors are expected to join the event on the island."
Panu Woramit, director of Surat Thani office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said foreigners made up about 90% of the visitors travelling at this time to the province’s three popular islands -- Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
"More than 30 flights arriving and departing Koh Samui are full every day and almost all the passengers on each flight are foreigners," he said.
Photos by Supapong Chaolan