- My mom joined me at Ko Pha-ngan, which is known as Thailand's "Party Island."
- The island is famous for sex parties, tantra courses, and all-night jungle raves.
- We spent our trip dancing and exploring — and my mom got used to seeing so many nipples in public.
Ko Pha-ngan is world-renowned as Thailand's "Party Island."
It's known for spiritual tantric yoga courses, sex parties, all-night jungle raves, and free-hugging hippie spirituality.
In fact, it's the origin spot of the famous Full Moon party — a massive all-night beach party that's been happening for every full moon since the '80s.
But I fell in love with the serenity of Ko Pha-ngan during the low season in May 2022. I played with everything the island offers, from cuddle parties and kinkster meet-ups to dance parties and breathwork classes.
I kept going back. Eventually, I took my mom for her 62nd birthday.
My concerns about bringing my mom to a party spot didn't last long
Nicknamed everything from "Sexual Utopia" to "Tantra Island," Ko Pha-ngan is famed for its adults-only kind of fun, so bringing my mom along confused my island friends.
They wondered how I'd show her the island without exposing her to its sexual scene or wild party atmosphere.
For a minute, I also questioned my decision: Would the topless beachgoers and tantra-loving partiers be too much for her to handle?
My doubts didn't last. Within minutes of arriving, Mom said she understood why I kept returning to Ko Pha-ngan.
She held on for dear life during her first ride on a songthaew taxi — an open-backed truck-like taxi with no seatbelts — but loved taking in the epic views of the beach and jungle as it navigated the island's winding roads.
I loved embracing my inner hippie alongside my mom, who raised me to do so
On the first day, I drove my mom all over the island while she rode on the back of my automatic scooter.
Her nails dug into my back on the first few rides, never letting a hand slip in fear of losing her balance. But soon, she was holding onto me with one hand while snapping photos with the other.
On our first day, I introduced her to one of my favorite spots — Chaloklum Beach. We spent time enjoying the surreal views, cooling off in the calm waters, and visiting delicious eateries between swims.
Taking my mom to a sex party or tantra class was off the cards, especially after she struggled to acclimatize to the topless sunbathers, so I took her to an ecstatic dance event in the middle of the jungle.
Ecstatic dance is a type of free-form dance event where participants gather to let loose while sober.
After conquering the almost vertical hill to get there, we entered the jungle and let our inhibitions go for hours.
The group meditation slowly got more intense as the music climbed from calming to passionate, building to a crescendo that encouraged attendees to embrace their inner animal.
No cameras and no judgment were allowed at the dance, so it was easy to get lost in the movement without the fear of being perceived.
We got some curious looks because seeing anyone above age 45 is a rarity on Ko Pha-ngan. Still, we were welcomed with open arms, probably because my self-professed hippie mom fit in with her vibrant wardrobe and free spirit.
My mom and I adored every minute of our first ecstatic dance together. I loved watching her sink into the magic of the moment.
We bonded on our trip to Ko Pha-ngan, and the precious memories will last a lifetime
Aside from bumping into a guy I'd been seeing and his poly partner, there were no social mishaps.
No one invited us to any wild orgies or cuddle parties. Eventually, my mom got used to seeing nipples in the wild wherever we went.
One of my favorite parts of this trip was seeing my mom rise to every challenge, even those well outside of her comfort zone.
She even learned how to drive my scooter — and got into a minor accident, which she paid for with scrapes and a gash on her knee.
But, despite my concerns, she got right back on the bike and drove perfectly for the rest of the trip. It was an amazing full-circle moment where I got to cheer her on and play the proud parent for once.
And watching her embrace my nomadic life without judgment made celebrating her birthday in paradise even sweeter.
It's easy to stick with convention when exploring the world, but diverting from the prescribed path gave me an unrivaled opportunity to deepen my connection with my mom.
I treasured every moment of treating her and can't wait to do it again. I'll probably choose somewhere with fewer topless people, though.