Megan Tidd

Photographic: Travel: Thailand

Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, 2003 - A tourist begins her night before the Paradise Bungalows, the site of the first Full Moon Party, in June 1987.
   
Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, 2003 - The beach in front of the Cactus Bar is covered with hand-woven straw mats, upon which party-goers sit, dance, and drink. Each beach-front bar sets up its own atmosphere, making the beach a clutter of music, lights, and crowds. Although the party begins at sun-down, traffic doesn't start arriving until around ten p.m.
   
Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, 2003 - A young boy sells buckets of alcohol at the Full Moon Party.
     
  
Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, 2003 - Revellers begin a long night of festivities at the Full Moon Party.
   
Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, 2003 - Drinks wait to be purchased at the Full Moon Party.
   
Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, 2003 - A group from England celebrates their first Full Moon Party as a destination during their gap-year trip. Many newly graduated students from England travel all over the world before going back to university, and Ko Pha Ngan is a highly regarded spot for gap-year travels.
     
  
Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, 2003 - A little after sunrise, partiers mix with a Thai clean-up crew. The beach is littered with bottles and buckets, while the water is often even dirtier. It doesn’t stop tourists from swimming and sun-bathing well into the following day.
   
Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, 2003 - Three men collapse while their peers continue to party, after the morning of the Full Moon party.