One of the places you should not miss when visiting Phuket is the resort town of Patong, centered on Patong Beach which is the most popular beach on the island Phuket. It is a long strip (almost 3 km) of soft white sand that is full of restaurants, cool cafes and bars, shops and massage parlors. In addition, it offers vacationers many attractions of water and land sports, sunbathing under umbrellas and beach chairs for rent. However, the leading reason for its popularity Much of the beach is its lively nightlife, where you can find all kinds of clubs, discos, dance bars, live performances and wild parties that last until dawn.
Patong Beach started as part of a small, traditional fishing village and over time, starting in the 60s, travelers slowly began to discover it. The government soon realized that it was worth turning the place into a tourist destination and since then it has become very westernized. Today the beach is popular among Chinese and Eastern European tourists, so much so that it is also known as "Little Sweden" and the menus in some restaurants are in Mandarin or Russian. Of course you can meet quite a few Israelis there as well.
The beach area is very crowded, especially towards sunset. If you want some quiet and less crowding, it is recommended to move a little further to the southern part.
How do you get to Patong?
Patong Beach is about a 20-minute drive from central Phuket. To get to the beach you can take a taxi or rent a car From Phuket Airport. Phuket Airport is 40 km from Patong, about a 50-minute drive. If you have booked a certain place to stay before your arrival, a private driver can be arranged to take you from the airport, by prior arrangement with some of the hotels in the area.
Attractions in the Patong area
Water skiing and boating
You will find many operators along the beach who will offer you to rent a boat (canoe, tube, etc.) or jet ski and pay according to the time. Average price for these activities is about 1,500 baht per person for half an hour (170 NIS approximately). Please note that not all operators have insurance in the event of an accident, God forbid, and it often happened that tourists had to pay for the damage themselves. You should find out well and beware of scammers.
Diving and snorkeling
In Patong there are several companies that offer diving and snorkeling trips to various sites, caves, reefs and islands around Phuket. You can choose between day trips and trips of several days. Day trips will usually take you to Racha Noi and Racha Yai islands, which are famous for their exceptionally clear waters. There are also day trips for coffee, to points like King Cruiser Wreck and Shark Point. Recommended dives are at Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon and Tachai, where you can swim alongside sharks and seals. Also, the diving centers offer first and second star diving courses with qualified instructors.
Walking in the jungle and Omega in the forest
In Patong, you can feel like monkeys among the trees, when you skate on an omega track at a height of 40 meters in the heart of the tangled forest. The place where the activities are held is called Flying Hanuman, a camp located behind the road to Kathu Falls. This is a recommended way to experience a bit of nature in Phuket and do something a little different. Due to the vegetation in the area, it is important to stock up on mosquito repellent and dress accordingly. The safety of the facilities is taken seriously by the company that organizes the activities, which is considered reliable and professional.
Thai cooking course
In Patong there is a warm and lovely woman called Pam, she will teach you to prepare any Thai food you want at the cooking school she set up near a shopping mall Jungceylon. Be sure to come hungry, because at the end of the meal you can eat your handiwork. Pam's kitchen is air-conditioned and clean. The prices of the lessons are according to time, about 30 minutes for one session and up to 6 hours, starting from 450 baht.
Massage on the beach
It is likely that if you stay at the beach for more than a few minutes, a Thai masseuse will approach you and offer you her services. You can usually choose between a foot massage, a head massage or a full body massage, with or without oil. There are also many spa centers on the street parallel to the beach strip where you can pamper yourself inside closed rooms, but the prices will increase accordingly.
Thai boxing fights
An integral part of Thai culture and the country's national sport. Patong has two boxing stadiums:
- Patong Boxing Stadium - Battles are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 21:00-23:00. The fights start with young fighters and as the evening goes on, professional fighters come up. The place holds about 350 spectators and serves fast food and drinks. Address: 59 Sainamyen Road.
- Bangla Boxing Stadium - Battles are held on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 21:00 to midnight. It is a modern place, with 2 floors and a huge stage. In the battles you can watch both Thai and foreign fighters. Here, too, the evening starts with the young and continues to the most professionals. The entrance ticket varies in price according to the seating position and ranges from 1,700 to 2,500 baht. Found in-Sai Kor Road.
Shopping in Patong
Patong is by far the best place to shop in Phuket. Here are some of the places that make it so:
- Jungceylon - A large shopping mall that is entertainment in itself. You can find anything you can think of in the mall, clothing, cosmetics, toys, electronics and more. The place also has a wide selection of restaurants of all kinds and cool pubs. The mall also has a movie theater, a variety of games and a souvenir museum, so you will certainly not be bored. The mall's opening hours are 11:00-22:00 and it is located right in the center of Patong.
- Banana Walk Shopping Mall - A relatively new mall located along the beach. It is built of 3 floors of shops, restaurants, bars and spa centers. There is a mini golf club on the roof. A highly recommended restaurant in the place is Wine Connection and Sizzler, which is located on the second floor and offers a beautiful view and a varied and excellent menu. The mall's opening hours are 11:00-23:00.
- Banzaan Market – A typical Thai market located inside a building located on Sai Kor Road. The complex is clean and organized and the goods are fresh and varied, from food to clothing and toys, all at reasonable prices. On the top floor there is a food court where delicious and cheap Thai food is sold, highly recommended. The opening hours of the place are 7:00-17:00.
- Malin Plaza Patong Night Market – A typical night market. You will find souvenirs, clothes, bags, beach equipment and cheap street food there. The market is located in Prachanukhro Road and operates from 14:00 to midnight.
- OTOP Night Market - A lively and fun market to visit with lots of good food, cute bars and the usual goods you'll find in any market in the area. The market is close to the mall Jungceylon, B-Rat-u-Thit Road and there is a branch of Hard Rock Cafe right next to it. Opening hours are 10:00 a.m. to midnight.
Nightlife in Patong
Pusht is known for its never-ending nightlife, and most of what it has to offer in this area is concentrated in the Patong area and especially in Bangla Walking Street. This is a big party area, where tourists come from all over the island. This is a 400 meter long street that is packed with travelers and night clubs. The atmosphere in the place is loud and the lights are dazzling. You will find striptease shows, dancers and many bars and discotheques. Most places are open from the evening hours (18:00-19:00) and close around 4 in the morning. Here are some of the well-known entertainment venues on the street:
- Seduction Complex – The largest party complex in Phuket. Contains a large terrace, various restaurants, bars and discotheques.
- Tiger disco - A huge and famous discotheque with 3 floors and live performances.
- Illuzion - a club located on the second floor of the Ocean Plaza Hotel. The music played is mainly house style and occasionally there are live performances and dance performances.
- Moulin Rouge – A club where cabaret shows are presented.
- Monsoon – A bar with good music and live performances.
- White Room - A night club decorated entirely in white. Cool parties are held there every day.
Beaches in the Patong area
Near Patong Beach there is a selection of calmer and more peaceful beaches. The beaches are within walking distance of Patong Beach or a short taxi, tuk-tuk, motorbike or boat ride away. Among the recommended beaches are:
Freedom Beach
Pastoral and quiet beach with crystal blue water. You will not find shops or restaurants on this beach, so before you go it is important to stock up on food, towels and everything you need in advance.
Kalim Beach
Excellent beach for surfing waves. The beach has two excellent and well-known restaurants.
Paradise Beach
A small and beautiful beach belonging to the resort. Entrance to it costs 200 baht. The beach is extremely accessible and has every service you could want: cloakrooms and lockers, towel rental, and even an ATM. The resort itself also has a dance bar, restaurants, a children's area and a permanent DJ that will change the atmosphere for you. Various activities such as snorkeling and diving are offered there. It should be noted that every month a good full-moon party is held there with thousands of revelers, barbecues and shows until sunrise.
Tri-Trang Beach
Also called the Emerald Coast. Located south of Patong Beach and popular mainly due to the resort Marriott Merlin. The beach is quiet and pleasant but it is rocky and therefore less pleasant for swimming. Be sure to take sunscreen with you because there are no trees on the beach. The beach offers a variety of sports activities, massage services and restaurants.
Where is it recommended to sleep in Patong?
High budget hotels
Amari Phuket - A hotel with a particularly successful location, on a hill that overlooks the entire beautiful area. The place has a huge pool where you can drink a cocktail while you watch the sunset. If that's not enough, the hotel also has its own private beach. The atmosphere is quiet and calm and the location is close to all the main attractions of Patong. The rooms are decorated in a modern and beautiful way, with an excellent view of the sea.
Avista Hideaway - A hotel that is also located on a verdant hill and has a spectacular view of the coastal area. The design is elegant and traditional and there is a beautiful tropical forest around. This is a particularly luxurious hotel, with no less than 3 swimming pools, two restaurants and a bar on the roof. The rooms have a pampering jacuzzi. The place is a little far from the center of Patong, but there are shuttles that will take you there, which leave the hotel very frequently.
BYD Loft Boutique Apartments Hotel - Located in the center of Patong Beach and considered the best hotel in the area. The hotel is located right on the beach and in the center of all the happenings and attractions. The apartments are large and polished, they are designed in a chic modern style with a fully equipped kitchen and a large screen in the living room. The on-site restaurant serves excellent food and there is also a grocery store in case you prefer to cook. On the roof of the building there is a large and calm pool.
Medium budget hotels
Searocco Phuket Apartment Hotel - A new building of 6 apartments designed in a modern way. Each apartment has a kitchen, a sitting area and a balcony with a great view of the beach. Some apartments also have a private pool. The place has an impressive outdoor pool with the best view on the island. The disadvantage of the place is the distance from the center of Patong - half an hour of walking or a 5-minute taxi ride.
Patong Terrace Boutique Hotel - A central and affordable hotel run by a nice German guy named Peter. Peter will be happy to advise and recommend attractions and restaurants and will help you with any problem. The rooms are large and clean and each guest is provided with a beach towel. There is a sun terrace on the roof, but the place does not have its own pool.
Burasari Resort & Spa - A large and extremely popular resort with two large outdoor pools. The location is central, just a few minutes walk from every attraction in the area. The place offers an excellent and varied breakfast.
Low budget hotels
La Piccola Patong - A small and comfortable hotel located in a central location, but in a quiet street. There is also a restaurant serving Italian and Thai food. The rooms are clean, the staff is very kind and the prices are affordable.
Lub d Phuket Patong Hostel - A new and designed hostel located in a very central place. You can choose between a private room, a room with shared toilets or a room in the dormitory. It is a social and lively place with a game room, work areas, a large pool, a boxing ring (!) and a spacious lobby. The hostel also has washing machines that you can use.
Judy@ – A small and cute guesthouse located right next to the famous night market Malin Plaza. The rooms are clean and colorful. Each room has a TV, fridge and safe. The price is relatively affordable for the value.
