Terror threat: Warning of attacks at Full Moon Party in Thailand

Shortly before the monthly Full Moon Party on the Thai island of Koh Phangan, the German Embassy in Bangkok issued a travel warning for potential visitors. The background to this was reports of possible terrorist attacks specifically on Israeli citizens at the popular celebration on Friday, the embassy said. The Full Moon Party has been attracting countless tourists from all over the world to Haad Rin Beach for decades.

In the past few days there have been “indications of possible terrorist attacks” at the parties on the island north of Koh Samui, the embassy writes on its website. According to the information, other music festivals or events with many foreign guests in other parts of the country could also become targets. Thailand tourists should avoid the full moon parties and other similar events at this time, it said.

Security measures strengthened

Security authorities in Surat Thani province have assured that Koh Phangan is safe and rejected reports of possible terrorist attacks on Israelis as untrue, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported. Nevertheless, security measures were increased as a precaution, said police chief Sermphong Sirikhong.

Israeli media had previously reported a possible threat, citing internal Thai police documents. The Israeli authorities then issued a travel warning for their citizens. Just a week ago, violent attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam sparked horror. The attacks were condemned worldwide as a disturbing outbreak of anti-Semitic violence.

The Full Moon Parties have been attracting more and more night owls to Koh Phangan since the late 1980s. Up to 30,000 people regularly take part in the event, where every month they dance under the full moon to electronic music from techno to trance.