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KOH PHANGAN & KOH TAO Koh Phangan Koh Phangan's full moon parties are the most celebrated and longest-running dance culture events in the world. They have become almost a rite of passage for young people who visit from all corners of the world. Every month, to herald in the new moon—the biggest and widely acknowledged to be the best—beach party rocks the island. It is one of the few places in the world where visitors can live out romantic, tropical island dreams of picturesque white sand beaches yet be right in the middle of party central every month. The island's nightlife capital, Haad Rin, boasts the biggest concentration of beach clubs that collectively host the ultimate beach party bringing together party devotees and their friends who visit year after year and return home to spread the word. When the round, yellow moon appears on the white sand beach, the fun begins! The party heralds over 12 major sound systems that run the 800-metre, crescent shaped-length of Haad Rin Beach and in the low season between 8000-12,000 partygoers pack the beach. In the high season this rises to about 15,000-20,000 while the New Year, the most popular time of the year, sees about 30,000 rock the sand in the moonlight. Highly talented DJs play a huge range of music from 180 www.paradisesonline.com Two different islands, two different destinations–but regardless of what you are seeking, these amazing islands are sure to please. techno to reggae to popular hits and anything in between! During the party, the beach is equipped with small tables where you can sit down with your friends or meet new ones from all over the globe, thousands of lamps are lit and the celebrations begin. Drinks and food can be ordered from the restaurants, bars and traders along the beach. Koh Tao Not far from Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, Koh Tao is the place to visit if you are seeking quiet relaxation, great snorkelling, spa treatments or fun filled nights under the stars. Conveniently small, the island is one of Thailand's best-kept secrets and is located about 70 kilometres east of the coastline between Suratthani and Chumphon in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao translates as Turtle Island—in the past the waters teemed with sea turtles. Nowadays they have moved on to new breeding grounds leaving travellers and tourists enjoy Koh Tao's glorious beaches, its international community, sensational cuisine at reasonable prices, fantastic nightlife, exciting activities and stunning vistas. With its calm, shallow beaches and bays, Koh Tao is the perfect place for families relax and unwind and it also offers an amazingly romantic getaway destination for honeymooners.