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Patong Beach is
the most popular and well-developed
beach on Phuket Island. Long recognized
as one of the world's Top 10 diving
sites, Phuket is now Thailand's most
important tourist destination, offering
a variety of beaches, attractions and
exciting night life. It is the main
tourist resort in Phuket and contains
the centre of Phuket's nightlife and
cheap shopping on the island. Numerous
large hotels and chain hotels are
located in Patong
 Patong Beach is maybe more famous for
its nightlife than the 2-kilometer beach
that runs the entire length of Patong.
Nightlife is centered on two main areas
Bangla Road and Paradise Complex, with
Bangla Road being predominantly straight
and Paradise Complex being predominantly
gay. Much mixing of the two scenes
occurs due to Phuket Island's tolerant
nature.
Patong
Beach is the most active beach in Phuket. Recently upgraded from
"Village" to the status of "City". Famous for its long sandy beach
but also for its famous hyper active nightlife, patong has the
largest concentration of visitors on Phuket Island.
Growing at the speed of light, it will offer a large range of
activities during day or night, an amazing choice of hotels and a
life style to fit any type of visitors. Since the past ten years,
Patong Beach has changed a lot and became a family destination,
eventhough all the bar girls are still at the same place (Bangla
Road), you will see many couples and family strolling along the many
new streets opened lately.
It offers a beautiful tropical beach ringed with lush green
mountains. The bay is a 5 km gently curving crescent of beautiful
white sand, suitable for every kind of water sport.
It is the most developed of all Phuket’s beaches, almost solidly
lined with hotels, bungalow complexes and a concentration of
restaurants, shops and night-spots appealing to all tastes. It is
not recommended for those in search of tranquillity, but definitely
suitable for those looking for a lively holiday.
There are miles and miles of white sand
beaches edging the clear blue waters of
the Andaman Sea on the west coast of the
island, where Patong is a favorite
centre for many visitors.
Patong is really very attractive, and
has the advantage of having plenty of
shops, restaurants, bars, apartments and
hotels just across the road from the
beach.
Patong
Nightlife can be gaudy, rowdy, naughty, noisy, tacky, disgusting, or
delightful -- take your pick to describe it. As the sun goes down
the lights come on, the girls and katoeys (transexuals) come out,
and the show begins on soi Bangla and the surrounding areas. ‘Beer
bars’ Thai style usually have a score of young hostesses (generally
female) who serve drinks and chit chat with the customers (usually
male). The competition is fierce and the management of each
establishment depends on the charms and the finely honed talents of
persuasion of the girls to help potential customers decide where
they want to enjoy a drink or two.
It is in Patong where by far the largest number of A-Go-Go bars can
be found. Similar bars exist around the world but the visitor will
find something quite unique about the ones in Patong. Perhaps it's
the girls, perhaps it's the warm welcome, whatever it is it's an
experience we suggest you don't miss. Here you will find very pretty
girls indeed displaying their charms and talents for your
entertainment. The girls usually dance on a raised stage around
gleaming dancing poles, and will dance for your entertainment to a
varied musical selection ranging from the latest hits to old
favourites.
During the evening don't be surprised if the
dancers give way every so often to a few girls who perform a more
daring and intimate show for the guests. You will see that the girls
may well be wearing numbers - it makes it easier for you to point
out to the bar staff which one you like the look of. As with the
beer bars, the girls may well be willing to spend some personal time
with you if you wish and agree those delicate financial matters.
Again, you will have to pay a bar fine if you and your new friend
leave to seek entertainment elsewhere.
Some of the more popular places on Soi Bangla are Ned Kelley’s Bar
where Big Joe and Little John can regale you with stories about
Phuket, and on down the street, The Kangaroo Bar and the Alice Bar
draw steady crowds. You can drop by the Oasis Club on Soi Patong
Resort for a game of pool and a cold beer. Thai-style Go-Go clubs
like the Play School and Pink Panther on Soi Sea Dragon, and the
Rock Hard and Tai Pan Discos on Soi Bangla, all have dancers to
entertain the customers.
More traditional discos, like the Banana Disco on the Beach Road and
the Safari Pub on the top of the hill on the road to Karon Beach,
get going at about midnight. The Shark Club on the corner of soi
Bangla and Rat-U-Thit Rd offers a high-tech environment for those
looking for a place to dance or just watch the laser light show.
Admission is about 100 Baht and includes one drink. Most bars and
entertainment venues close at 2AM, when the action moves to Soi
Sunset where the bars stay open to the wee hours of the morning.
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