The Tourism and Sports Ministry may extend the Full Moon Party by two hours until 4am as the monthly beach party is back in full swing.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said he would ask the cabinet and the Interior Ministry to grant the extra time after inspecting the latest Full Moon Party on Had Rin on Koh Pha-ngan on Friday evening.

The packed party was joined by some 10,000 Thai and foreign revellers arriving in droves on boats from nearby Koh Samui, some arriving as late as 9pm.

People told the minister they lamented the 2am end of the Full Moon Party. They wanted the fun to carry on until 4am.

The rebound in tourism after more than two years of painful stagnation from the Covid-19 pandemic is helping to revitalise the economy.

A local speedboat rental company said the Full Moon Party was welcoming more tourists since public health restrictions began to ease last year. Now, more than 10,000 people are joining each party.

A local ferry company said the number of tourists heading to Koh Samui was almost back to pre-pandemic levels thanks to the easing of travel restrictions on May 1.