Getting to Patong
By plane:
Phuket International Airport is 35 km to the north of Patong. "Limousine" taxis from the airport to Patong are a steep 500 baht (45 minutes); meter-taxis 300+ baht (if coming from the airport, from outside the car park gates); shared minibuses limit the damage to 150 baht (but 180 baht in the Patong to airport direction, presuming you book through an agency). Cheapest way of all (however also the most time consuming) is to take the airport shuttle bus to Phuket Town, and switch there to a local bus to Patong.
By bus:
Regular buses connect to Phuket Town (20 baht, 45 minutes) every 30 minutes or so between 07:00 and 18:00. The route starts from the southern end of the beach, after which the bus crawls through town (via Bangla Road), stopping to pick up passengers, before finally heading off across the hills.
Getting around Patong
Patong can (just about) be covered on foot, but there are plenty of taxis and motorbikes to get you around.
Phuket has two types of taxi - millions (or so it seems) of small songthaew-style minivans (usually bright red, occasionally bright yellow), and a much smaller number of conventional sedan-style taxis (yellow and red, with a "TAXI-METER" sign on top).
The minivans have no meter, and their drivers are notoriously mercenary, so always agree a price beforehand and do bargain hard. Short hops around town shouldn't cost more than 100 baht these days, but you'll have to bargain hard.
For longer distances the metered taxis are generally a better bet, so do your bit to break the iron grip of the minitaxi mafia and patronize them if you can. You can hail one by telephone on 076-232157.
Motorbike taxi rides within Patong start around 20 baht.
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What to see in Patong and around Patong Beach
There are many sorts of beaches on Phuket, if one wants unspoiled and natural then Patong is not your kind of place, there are many unspoiled beaches in the north and south of this beautiful island.
Patong is for those of you who like a developed resort with a wonderful nightlife.
The beach is both stunning and busy. One of the finest developed beaches in Asia.
If one goes out in Patong with head full of prejudices and a determination to see the seedier side of Thailand, then this is what you will see. If on the other hand you go with an open mind and a willingness to understand rather than judge, you will find a highly sophisticated holiday resort with dozens of world class restaurants and entertainment opportunities.
There is a sex industry, but it easily avoided if you stay off the main drag of Bangla Road. If you do go there, please try not to judge what you see there, it is more complicated than you think.
Amongst the non sex related bars we can recommend are 'Erotica' off Soi Bangla, on Soi Seadragon - its aimed fairly and squarely at couples and is a sexy, smart, fantasy cabaret bar. Professional dancers perform a unique and highly entertaining series of original dance routines to some of the best tunes from the last 40 years.
Saxophone - on the beach road is the little brother of Bangkok's most famous live music venue. They have top quality Jazz, Blues, funk and soul outfits there each night and the place is very well designed. Can be hit and miss with the bands but usually very good quality.
Rock City - for those about rock - just down the beach road from Saxophone this place is easily spotted due to a giant, neon guitar outside. Live, hard rock and tribute bands perfromed by excellent musicians in a great atmosphere. Don't miss it.
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What to do while in Patong?
- Most of the big Scuba diving companies have offices here too.
- Get a designer suit or dress made for peanuts. Jaspalas Tailor off Soi bangla is a good place to start.
- Pay to see the world famous ladyboy show at Simon Cabaret or see one for free at Katoueys R Us, off Bangla road.
- Pay to see Muay Thai - Thai Boxing at the Bangla Stadium, or see it for free further down the road at the Simon complex, next door to katoueys R Us.
- Take a river cruise with River Rovers.
- Have a massage, we recommend Bali Hai on 200 Years Road.
- Boogie at either Tai Pan, Banana, Tiger, D Club or Seduction discos.
- Buy fake goods off the many stalls all over the place.
- See the cabaret Show at Erotica - Soi Seadragon, off Soi Bangla.
- Take a two hour Thai kickboxing lesson for around 300 baht
In short:
Hotels ranging from cheap guesthouses to stylish 5 star hotels & resorts – Click here to view recommended hotels & resorts in Patong Phuket.
Entertainment ranging from girly bars to mega nightclubs to cabaret shows. There is a bit for everyone in Patong or nearby Patong like Phuket Fantasy on Kamala beach – click here to see more about Phuket Fantasy – Great family entertainment.
Restaurants ranging from your local street stall offering great Thai food and local seafood, to European specialties, to Mexican aromas to Indian curries. The hardest decision in Patong is deciding where to eat as there is so much!
Activities ranging from gentle beach walks & swims to extreme parasailing to jet skiing. Patong offer a wide range of beach activities so you will not be bored staying in Patong during the day.
Shopping ranging from cheap street merchandise to super brands in Jung Ceylon – click here to visit the office website. Patong also offers the OTOP market (stands for One Tambon One Product – a Tambon is a village in Thailand and the OTOP program was created to promote traditionally & handmade products from small country village of Thailand promoting economic development of poor regions of Thailand – visit the official OTOP website for more information. In some other Asian countries, OTOP is also referred as the One Town One Product). Good Web references for the Patong scene:
- Jung Ceylon shopping arena- Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200P (near the northern end of Bangla Road) is Patong's first full-fledged modern air-con shopping mall, complete with 200 shops, integrated hotel, etc. The launch was postponed several times in the wake of the 2004 tsunami. Now open since July 2007! http://www.jungceylon.com
- Patong OTOP Shopping Paradise, Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200P (south end). You might be excused for thinking that this has something to do with the "One Tambon, One Product" scheme to promote local industry, but no, turns out this market sells exactly the same copies of branded clothes and mass-produced handicrafts as everybody else. At least there's a fairly wide selection to choose from - http://www.thaitambon.com
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Recommended Hotels on Patong Beach:
Andaman Beach Suites Hotel -  - Each of the 90 rooms at this fine 4-star hotel feature superior amenities. Some of the features you'll enjoy are air conditioning, television, private safe, baby crib upon request. To make each guest's stay more complete, this Phuket hotel offers airport pick-up and drop-off, dry cleaning and laundry, nursery, room service, restaurants.
Click here for details and easy online booking with the lowest rates.
Amari Coral Beach Resort - - The Amari Coral Beach Resort is convenient to everything Phuket has to offer, and is only 40 km (25 miles) away from Phuket International Airport. Whether on business or holiday, each of the 197 rooms at this 4-star property are designed help guests relax in comfort and style. To make each guest's stay comfortable, all rooms feature hair dryer, air conditioning, television, private safe, balcony/terrace, in-room movies, minibar.
Click here for details and easy online booking with the lowest rates.
Burasari Hotel -  - From US$101
Holiday Inn Resort - - From US$101
Banthai Beach Resort & Spa - - From US$95 |
