Israel’s love affair with Thailand has long gone beyond vacations and backpacking trips. Now, Swadi Club, Israel’s Thai lovers community aims to bring one of the experiences most associated with the Thai islands to Israel — the Full Moon parties. A new event series inspired by Koh Phangan’s famous celebrations will begin in Tel Aviv on Saturday, with free admission to the opening event at Frishman Beach.
The program includes DJs, fire shows, Thai food stalls, body painting and other activities modeled on the atmosphere of the full moon celebrations on the Thai island.
“Swadi Club is a community of Thailand lovers in Israel,” Pashosh Morag said in an interview with ynet studio. “People whose love and addiction to Thailand crosses borders, and who love celebrating this special connection both in Thailand and in Israel.”
Asked how the Full Moon party atmosphere could be recreated in Israel, Morag said: “There will be Thai food, banana roti and other Thai dishes, Thai Chang beer, fire shows and juggling just like on the party beaches. We’re creating the full experience and want to dance on the sand like there, only here.”
According to DJ and event producer Mia Haviv, the music lineup was also chosen to recreate the familiar Koh Phangan atmosphere.
“It was important to bring DJs who each have their own musical style, but also people who have been to Thailand and the Full Moon parties and know the atmosphere,” she said. “We wanted to create as authentic an experience as possible for people who haven’t experienced the Full Moon themselves.”
Haviv noted that one of the defining features of Full Moon parties is the combination of music, color and a carefree atmosphere. “We want to bring a lot of joy and color,” she said.
Despite the wild image often associated with Thailand’s Full Moon parties, the organizers stressed that the Tel Aviv event is also intended for families.
“It’s an event for everyone, for the whole family and all ages,” Morag said. “There will be body painting like at the Full Moon parties, but the atmosphere is more of a beach festival with music and a Thai vibe.”
Haviv added: “We wanted to bring both families and young people together, and simply create a joyful event.”
During the interview, Morag said she is currently in Indonesia, where she has been staying for about two months. Asked how her Israeli identity has been received in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, she said she generally felt safe.
“I also have a German passport, so I entered the country with a foreign passport,” she said. “In some places I downplayed the fact that I’m Israeli and said I’m from Germany, but so far I haven’t received any unpleasant reactions.”