Restaurant Scams in Koh Phangan

Haad Rin Tainted Bucket Cocktail

In Koh Phangan's Haad Rin area — especially around full moon and half moon party periods — some beachside bars and open-air restaurants serve bucket cocktails mixed with cheap, unregulated alcohol that causes severe illness. Even outside party periods, buckets at cut-rate prices may use methanol-tainted spirits. Severe illness can leave tourists incapacitated and vulnerable to theft or follow-on extortion for 'medical assistance.'