Full Moon over Koh Phangan: What Adventurers, Dancers, and Freaks Seek and Find on Thailand's Magic Island

by Brian K. Gruber

This first-ever full-length nonfiction book on Koh Phangan's characters, communities, and magnetic appeal is an oral history, with stories gathered from 25 diverse perspectives.

What attracts Phangan’s eclectic range of adventurers? What makes this island so uniquely interesting and attractive to visitors seeking a new life, transcendence, restoration or, simply, a memorable, gorgeous respite from the world? There are many beautiful islands and tropical beaches. But there seems a special dose of magic in the island’s coves and mountains. People come for three weeks, then stay 13 years.

These 25 longtime residents share their answers to those questions.

Participants in the book
Gill Beddows, The Sanctuary
Joe Cummings, Lonely Planet Thailand
Daliah and Ari Barkan, Orion Healing Centre
Phra Olarn, Buddhist monk, Loyfa resort owner
Nathan Parker, Why Nam beach
Hinch, Twisted Village. Chaloklum
Prapan Daewwanich, Koh Phangan Phuiyaiban (village chief)
Robin Vos, Bubba's Roastery
Ara Willeke, Haad Khontee
Sarana Kursakul, Coral Bungalows
Nattakit Libprapakorn, Sand & Tan
Karine and Melanie, L'Alcove
John Fitton, EcoThailand
Charlie Solares, SAGE Land and House
Suriyan Boonya, nephew of monk who established Phangan's national park
Michal Ora, founder, Green Gallery Srithanu
Robert Van Dam, Jam Bar
Jintamard Sinlapaprommard, eco activist
Tomas Krocka, Safari Boat
Michael Doyle, The Sanctuary
Marc Guede, Kupu Kupu resort, Echo Beach
Sahajo
Oliver Benjamin, The Tao of the Dude
Joe Ling, Ling Sabai Bungalows
Yuval "Fluke" Birman, Wonderland Healing Center

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2022

Reviews

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing stories from interesting people — recommended if you have a special connection with Koh Phangan!

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting titbits but lots of repetition. It feels quite half-arsed, like Gruber literally transcribed conversations, leaving out the best bits (which he alludes to). Some pieces are cut so short that I thought there was missing text. Good to read while on the island and will help to propel alluring island legends. Exorbitantly overpriced - a bit like Koh Phangan itself these days.

[james wrate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing insights?

As someone who knows the island quite well, it's a delight to hear from those who know it far better and helped create the culture Phanganphiles enjoy today..

Great read for anyone who loves KP.