Template:Thailand 2009
From Psychedelic-Traveller
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[2009] Beautiful locations in THAILAND
- written by Venus Vibes
Koh Phangan
Hello and welcome back to Koh Phangan, a beautiful island in the gulf of southern Thailand. It’s a destination well known as the centre for psychedelic trance in southeast Asia and for the natural environment including the best beaches in southern Thailand.
Today you can find psychedelic trance, progressive and the up coming of a darker style. The party culture aside, Koh Phangan is a place to relax, kick back and enjoy the breath taking nature, beaches, culture, cuisine and the friendly locals.
The Experience Festival
The highlight of the year, next to the islands biggest monthly party "the Fullmoon", was the Experience Festival held in Koh Tao at the end of 2008. It started on the 30th of December and ended on the evening of the 2nd of January. It was an excellent way to welcome in the New Year with a perfect combination of sound and decorations with panoramic views from a new and exciting location.
Joining the resident DJs were special guests and friends: Scotty, Antaro, Sabai Sabai and Samadhi. Bringing a special twist to pumping progressive, deep dark night Psy and the melodic morning tunes. This was a small festival professionally organised by DJs Leung and Johnny of Blackmoon culture and Ban Sabaii, which will continue to grow after this first success.
Parties
The second biggest event is without doubt the Halfmoon festival, which is held bimonthly in the jungle of Bantai. The decoration transforms the night of the jungle into a mystical psychedelic grove, which attracts a crowd of up to 2,000 people. The organizer DJ Jao with the resident DJs: Patt, Note, Ping, Psyfrog and their international guests make this a venue you shouldn’t miss.
Of a similar size, the Blackmoon party is located on the beach in Bantai. It’s held once per month and is organised by DJ Leung with resident DJs: Sabai Sabai, Johnny and Koi. The decorations bring light to darkness; combined with the sound and cool sea breeze you will be dancing way past sunrise. The mystical Blackmoon is certainly a darker celebration you will never forget.
While a smaller organisation, the Shivamoon Family has earned themselves a reputation for hosting a psychedelic event. It’s held bimonthly and has a new location in a little valley, just a stones throw from the old party place in the jungle of Bantai . The resident DJs: Kazumi, Sattwah, Rangun and Djane Venus Vibes will pin back your ears and keep your eyes wide open, while taking you on an unforgettable psychedelic journey in a uniquely decorated venue.
For those seeking a psychedelic experience in the jungle where better to go than to the Jungle Experience. Deep in the dark jungle of Bantai, this location has also been the home of the Dark Psy event. The resident DJs: Leung, Johnny, Oli with Dj/ Vj Silver combine their distinctive sound and light energy in perfect harmony.
Located on the sunset side of the west coast is the well-known Moonset party, which is held three days before and two days after the Fullmoon. Nestled in a small alcove with its own private beach you will find a pirate ship, a rocking sound system and the residents. The ship houses the bar on the first floor and chill out area on the second. The Bumping sound of the resident DJs: Rangun, Djane Venus Vibes and friends will guarantee you a special night filled with fun and laughter.
If you are still thirsty for more, after dancing the whole night to the morning you’ll be heading to Ban Sabaii the Day party. Held after every Fullmoon, Halfmoon, Blackmoon, Shivamoon and Jungle Experience. It’s located in Bantai with an ever-growing variety of decorations, which makes this beachfront location the perfect day party venue to dance laugh and swim for all party piggies ;). Two new projects of DJs Leung and Johnny, the organizers of Ban Sabaii are the Acid moon. A dark psy night and Progression, a progressive trance night. Both of which have taken off offering a full nights entertainment of the aforementioned style.
For the travelling trancer this destination is a must. If your planning a trip to Southeast Asia don’t forget to pack your party shoes and sun cream. With both a strong trance party scene and relaxing nature, budget on staying a lot longer than three days when planning a trip to Koh Phangan.
Bangkok
- written by LoveDave
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 the staff is always 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 part of their body 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 only 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 night with more than a handful people, but music is usually outstanding and despite the tiny location, dancing is fun and the crowd is international. Recently though Sabai Sabai and Jacky have been playing rather regularly. Business has been picking up ever since and Saturday nights are always worthwhile. 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. Apart from that, especially during weekends, it’s always worth a visit. The location is tiny, but I haven’t seen one bad DJ so far. Music normally ranges from trance to drum’n’bass. Go there with five buddies or so, you will fill up the dance floor and have a great time.
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 dance floor on it. People have wild parties that last for the night and nobody objects to what people do. 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 party people.
When it’s time for "Moon Mountain" 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.
