Foreign Office warns of gang attacks at Full Moon parties

The popular Full Moon parties on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand have become a fixture on the backpacker circuit but the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is warning revellers to beware.

This updated advice has been prompted by a number of incidents this year "where western tourists have been victims of vicious unprovoked assaults by gangs", the FCO reports.

Official advice is now to take extreme care when around the bars in Haad Rin, particularly late at night and around the time of the Full Moon parties.

The FCO goes as far as suggesting people avoid the area altogether if possible.

Further travel advice for Thailand includes warning holidaymakers about the dangers of accepting drinks from strangers at clubs and parties.

According to the FCO, six British nationals have been murdered in Thailand in the past two to three years and incidences of date rape have been reported.