Phuket - Patong Beach

Patong is the most famous - some would say infamous - beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong is an ideal place to party and play. By night the town has a bustling nightlife which includes literally hundreds of restaurants, chic lounge bars, beer bars and of course discos. The nightlife is centred around Soi Bangla (Bangla Road) however there are quiet parts of town.

Visitors hoping for a glimpse into the exotic East will likely not find it here among the McDonald's, KFC, Boots and Starbucks outlets, though the steaming hot streets, neon lights and chaotic atmosphere of Patong can be overwhelming for the new arrival. The key to full enjoyment of the place is to pace yourself, drink lots of water and learn the meaning of 'mai pen rai' - which translates roughly to 'It doesn't matter' or 'Don't worry, be happy'.

This is Phuket's central tourist and night time entertainment district. Over the years, Patong has turned from a fishing village into one of the island's two cities. The famous bay and 4 km. beach is know as a centre of entertainment with restaurants catering to every nationality. Live music can be found in most pubs and bars. Accommodations range from budget to five-star. Shopping opportunities appear to be endless. In addition, there are many tour companies waiting to help visitors plan their vacations. Some of the options available are listed below. Among the larger attractions are : Pirate's Cove Miniature Golf 36 holes of miniature golf. 2 courses to choose from : The Jungle Course or Blackbeard's Challenge. Internationally rated; fast food restaurant and bar. Located on Song Roi Pi Rd., the next road back from the beach, next to Holiday Inn Hotel. Tel. (076) 342951; open 10:00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Phuket Water Ski Cableways An inland water skiing course on a man–made lake. Skiers are pulled round the oval track at speeds of up to 30 kph by overhead cables. Instruction is free for beginners. Located over the hill northeast of Patong at 86/3 Moo 6 Soi Nam Tok Kathu, near Kathu Waterfall. Tel. (076) +22 525-7; open daily 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Simon Cabaret This transvestite show features dozens of gorgeously appareled boys dancing and lipsynching to popular songs. Costumes, choreography and pacing are very impressive; sound system and staging are state–of-the-art. Two shows nightly. Located on Patong-Karon road. Tel. (076) 34+211-5 Tarzan's Jungle Bungy Jump Jump from the top of a 53 m crane toward a pond while connected to a long elastic bungy cord; very exhilarating. Note : This is not recommended for the aged, the infirm, or those with chronic heart problem. Located over the hill northeast of Patong at 61/3 Moo 6 on the road to Phuket Town. Tel. (076) 321351. Tarzan's Catapult Bungy It uses an elastic cord similar to the one mentioned above, but relies upon a catapult to shoot customer up in the air. Located on Soi Sunset at Patong Beach, near the Expat Hotel. Tel. 01-4641581. Patong Go–kart Speedway A well planned raceway and high–powered go–karts await go-karting enthusiasts. Located over the hill northeast of Patong at 118/5 Vichit Songkram Rd., near Kathu District office. Tel. (076) 321949; open 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Phuket Joyland is an amusement park with many different attractions, located in the same area of Phuket Water Ski Cableways. Open daily from 11:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. Tel. (086) +23005-6. Horror House at Patong, features scene from 16 famous horror movies. Open 5:00 p.m. - 12.00 p.m. Tel. (076) 293123.