SURAT THANI: About 20,000 foreign and Thai tourists were on Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party on Tuesday night.
Provincial governor Wichawut Jinto, Samui district chief Chayapol Intarasapa and Marine Department officials gathered at Lom Phraya boat pier at Wat Na Phralan on Koh Samui earlier in the day to watch the departure of tourist-laden speedboats headed to Koh Phangan.
Mr Wichawut said the number of partiers signals an improving tourism situation.
Local business operators likewise noted it's a three-fold increase from the 6,000-7,000 who showed up on May 16 for the previous monthly event.
Mr Wichawut said Koh Phangan expected party-related spending of about 50 million baht on Tuesday night alone.
Officials were instructed to strictly enforce health and safety measures issued by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.
Regarding general safety, Tawich Somwang, chairman of a business group at Hat Rin beach where the Full Moon Party is held, said there were five checkpoints screening all arrivals for weapons and drugs.
There were also checkpoints manned by police and soldiers along the road from the boat pier to Hat Rin beach to ensure tourists' safety, he said.
