Patong Beach – Phuket Travel Guide
Patong beach, the crescent-shaped 3km beach, is the most popular, well developed and frequented beach in Phuket. It has a host of beach activities and water sports options for visitors. Patong is also famous for its peppy nightlife and seafood joints.
Patong lost its village atmosphere long time back. It has developed into one of the busiest cities of Phuket. The restaurants here offer a variety of cuisines to suit the taste of the international travelers. It has bars and pubs with live music to add spice to the nightlife. There are hotels, resorts and guesthouses that suit the pocket of a wide range of travelers from five-star to low budget. Patong has a horde of travel agencies to help the tourists with sightseeing and other activities.
In Patong discos and nightclubs, you have more chance of meeting your friends back home than in your own neighborhood. Tourism is a big industry in Patong and everything is being done to lure the tourists here.
Patong has attractive shops that sell anything that tourists want, especially clothes. You will get them cheaper in the shops inland than from the vendors selling items on the beach itself. The beach area has many food stalls to cater to the hungry beach visitors. The beach has facilities for activities like banana boat, windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, waterskiing and wakeboard.
How to reach
From Phuket International Airport, Patong is 35km to the south and takes 45 minutes by car. Taxis vouchers can be bought from the airport for 500 baht to Patong. If this too steep, you can opt for shared minibuses, which come to around 150 baht. Still cheaper is to take the airport shuttle service to Phuket town and catch a local bus to Patong beach.
Bus services from Phuket town to Patong run every half an hour. The time taken is 45 minutes and fare is 20 baht.
Getting around
Patong is small enough to travel on foot. Still if required, there are many transport options. Taxis here are of two types – metered sedan-style taxi and songthaews-style minivans that have no meter. The metered taxis are colored yellow and red and have ‘TAXI-METER’ sign displayed prominently on top. The minivans drivers are worse than highway robbers and charge you astronomical fare. If you are boarding minivans, decide on the fare before the journey. You have to bargain hard. For short journeys around the city, 100 baht is a reasonable fare. If you are going for a longer trip, metered taxis are the better option. Motorbike taxis also operate with fares starting at 20 baht.
Places to see
Patong is the place for you, if you like modern conveniences and a vibrant nightlife. If you are looking for unspoiled beaches, this is not for you.
The beach is very beautiful, but crowded. You find what you seek here. If you are looking for flaws and drawbacks, you will find them in plenty. If you come here with a willingness to accept the place as it is and enjoy what it has to offer, you will find that Patong has well developed facilities to cater to the demand of a wide range of travelers. It has five-star amenities as well as budget accommodations and restaurants.
Patong has an active sex industry, but if you want to avoid it, keep away from Bangla Road.
Patong has bars of good repute suitable for couples out to enjoy a night out. They have regular performances of professional dancers with unique dance routines and music.
For live music, visit Saxophone on the Beach Road. Each night they have top blues, jazz, soul or funk performances. The place is well designed and the music is good.
For the rock fans, there is Rock City. It is close to Saxophone and it has a huge neon-lit guitar displayed outside. Live hard rock and great setup – good combination.
Things to do
The beach and water activities available in Patong beach are
• Scuba diving
• Jet skiing
• Snorkeling
• Parasailing
• Banana boat
• Surfing
Many diving companies here give diving lessons and gear to beginners. Phuket-Diver offers assistance, gear, information and individual help for scuba diving and snorkeling. They guide families and couples during these activities, letting them enjoy a safe and exciting experience.
Other activities in and around Patong are
• Cruise along the river
• Enjoy a Thai Massage
• Try Nail Spa at Oriental de Phuket
• Cable slide in the jungle
• Learn to kickbox in two hours for 300 baht
• Watch Thai boxing at Bangla Stadium or at Simon Complex
• Stitch a designer dress or a suit for cheap amount
• Watch ladyboy show at Simon Cabaret or the cabaret show at Erotica
• Buy cheap souvenirs from the many shops
• Dance to boogie music at various joints
• Learn to speak Thai
