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From Psychedelic-Traveller
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[2007] Welcome to the land of smiles: THAILAND
- Article from "Trancer's Guide To The Galaxy" 2007
The land of smiles, with its beautiful and benevolent nature, makes it easy to feel at home and is an extremely comfortable place to be. The friendliness of the people, great food and nature has been attracting those in search of paradise for many years. Psytrance was brought to Thailand from travelers that stopped over on their way to Goa and soon backpackers started flocking to Koh Phangan, the Island of »The Beach«.
What began more than 20 years ago with two speakers and a tape deck as a goodbye party for a Westerner during a full moon, has since become South East Asia’s party island.
2007
Today, Koh Phangan plays host to most of the country‘s psy parties; the most famous of these being the Fullmoon parties held along Had Rin beach. One of the longest running sound systems is that at Tommies bar where DJ Jr, known for his harder tunes, is still the original resident and is joined by DJ Denny from Hong Kong and international guest DJs.
Parties
After the Fullmoon parties, the biggest event is the semimonthly Halfmoon party featuring excellent resident DJs Jao, Pat, Psyfrog and Note alongside an ever-changing line-up of international guests.
Then there is the Blackmoon party organised by DJ Leung and held directly on the beach. DJ Sabai Sabai, well known in Europe for his festival performances, is a resident here and alongside DJ Koi and DJ Johnny provides a memorable evening of psychedelic sounds and surf.
The Pirates Bar in Shri Thanu is another venue set in a perfect location on the beach that is reached by crossing a wooden bridge. DJ PsyKp and guests deliver pumping progressive and wicked psychedelic trance.
If you want to celebrate psy with an enthusiastic crowd, then the strictly psychedelic Shiva Moon parties are a good place to go, where you’ll find residents DJ Satwah, DJ Katsumi, Sanuk and DJane Venus Vibes joined by friends from afar.
If that still isn’t enough to choose from then there are still the Ban Sabai Day Parties with their nicely decorated location by the beach belonging to DJs Leung and Johnny.
Bangkok
DJ Jacky´s Ooze Bar in Rambutri road, parallel to Khao San road, is doing a good job at pumping some serious bass into the street. It’s not the only street bar in the area, but the most well known one and with a passion for what they’re doing. Occasionally, you will run into some DJs such as Psy Atmah and staff always is informed about what’s happening in Thailand’s trance scene. Tickets for most events are available at the counter. The atmosphere varies widely, but especially after a recent trance event you will find a crowd that might take their last energy to the streets and shake whichever body part is still flexible.
Ezze at RCA, the biggest nightlife spot for the city’s younger crowd, plays some kind of trance almost every day of the week (closed on Mondays). Apart from Friday and Saturday you will run into no other guests though. Psychedelic music is usually on on either Fridays or Saturdays, sometimes both. You have to be lucky to come during a good night, but music is usually outstanding and despite the tiny location, dancing is fun and the crowd is international. Mostly Bangkok residents.
DDM is off Khao San Road on Rachadamnern Road. Walk on Khao San Road towards the police station, turn left when you come to the end of the road, and follow the sidewalk on your right hand side for about ten minutes. DDM has regular trance parties, which usually are announced on Goabase or on flyers handed out at Khao San Road.
The Destination
There also is a pretty little town close to Bangkok. On an average day, probably no trance whatsoever can be found – but if there is, it is the destination in Thailand. It is common for Thais to charter a float, dragged along by a little boat, with a dancefloor on it. People have wild parties that last for the night and nobody objects to what people do while being there. There is a huge (!) artificial lake, created by a dam, and floats can go out far enough so they won´t be heard by anyone, except the partypeople.
When it’s time for The Destination, as the party is called, the organizers rent three floats: one for dancing, one for chilling, one for sleeping. For three days. Non-stop. Either the journey leads to a tiny island, or just randomly across the lake. Beautiful party, usually with around fifty people, three days smiles and superior sound. Check Goabase for the next event.
New Years Eve
And for those in Thailand over New Year’s Eve, the Greenspirit Festival is without a doubt the country‘s best known New Year’s party. Protected by the shade of a rubber tree plantation in the idyllic setting of Krabi, this International gathering promises to be one of those events that everyone who’s there will remember. However, it seems like Greenspirit has been replaced by the Experience festival on Ko Tao. The location is stunning, on a mountain with an ocean backdrop and superb DJs from around the world. Usually only one of these two festivals is actually happening, but either one really is an experience.
