Thailand Bans Beach Parties With The Exception To Its Monthly Full Moon Beach Parties
According to Thailand officials, the ban is an attempt to keep order and ensure safety of tourist.
By Sadho Ram — 28 Oct 2014, 05:13 PM — Updated about 10 years ago
On Monday, 27 October, Thai authorities said that most of the beach parties on Koh Phangan island in southern Thailand have been banned. However, the "full moon" beach parties that attract thousands of people each month will still be allowed.
The ban on parties covers all islands in the province which, as well as Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, includes Koh Samui
As per authorities, the ban is a crackdown on raucous tourist behaviour after the murder of two British backpackers last month
The order follows the killing of Hannah Witheridge, 23 years old, and David Miller, 25, after a party at the beach resort of Koh Tao in September, which attracted international headlines and has shaken Thailand’s tourism industry.
wsj.comThe bodies of Britons Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were discovered on a beach on the tourist island of Koh Tao on September 15. Two Myanmar men have been arrested and charged with the murders.
telegraph.co.ukChatpong Chatraphuti, governor of Surat Thani, said that violators will be fined. He, however, didn't say how much the fine was
British partygoers dance as hundreds of full moon parties carry on past sunrise on Koh Phangan island, Thailand
Image via wsj.net"We've reached a point where we need to clean up the image of tourism in the province including beach parties that can get out of control and lead to violence," Mr Chatpong told Reuters.
telegraph.co.uk“The decision to ban other beach parties on Koh Phangan was partly due to what happened on Koh Tao,” said Chatpong Chatraphuti. He said that while a ban isn't imposed on the full moon parties, local officers will, from now, be more vigilant in keeping the events in order.
wsj.comThe governor added that a ban is also not necessary for Koh Tao where rogue parties have never been reported as the island has long been known for its white sand beaches and diving sites
The ban will only take place on Koh Phangan for the time being. Lt. Gen. Thawut Thavornsri, a spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said that the ban is an attempt to keep order and ensure safety.
Koh Phangan’s full moon parties have drawn tens of thousands of people for nearly 30 years—most of them young foreign backpackers, making the monthly party another major tourism event for this coastal city and the country. Smaller parties are held around the island during the rest of the month.
wsj.comThe shocking murder of the two British backpackers has left a great impact on Thailand's tourism industry, which accounts for nearly 10 per cent of gross domestic product
The killings have added to the challenges faced by the Thai tourism industry, which accounts for around 10% of gross domestic product, to revive from the impact of several months of sometimes violent political unrest that led to a military coup in May.
wsj.comThe police investigation has been tainted by suspicion the two Myanmar suspects may have been tortured during interrogation. Thailand's human rights commission has opened an inquiry into allegations of police torture.
telegraph.co.uk