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PATONG BEACH
Patong Beach
Understand
Patong is the party capital of Phuket, with a sex-drugs-booze-saturated nightlife and a great beach. Mostly made up of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and various tourist attractions, there's a thriving nightlife, with numerous "entertainment complexes" and countless bars clustered together in and around Bangla Road, and female, transgender and male prostitutes to cater to every taste. Massage parlors of the erotic as well the therapeutic (Thai Nuad) genre provide less alcohol/drug infested venues for punters and wellness seekers. One can even find masseuses practicing this medical art atop bamboo mats on the beach sands (100 baht and up).
Prices are higher than in Phuket Town, but there's more budget accommodation here than at the more southerly beaches. This may not be a good destination for the average backpacker, except in the rainy season when prices are far lower. Rooming houses ('Mansions') a few blocks inland provide nice, clean a/c rooms and suites as cheaply as 300 baht/day (less without a/c), or 3,000-10,000 baht/month.
2004 tsunami
Beach Road and the immediate surrounding areas were hit hard by the December 2004 tsunami, however the only signs now remaining are the "Tsunami" titles on sale at the VCD/DVD vendors.
U.S. Navy
Phuket Island in general and Patong Beach in particular are popular destinations for ships of the United States Navy. The navy sailors are generally well behaved and are policed by their own Shore Patrol. As Phuket is not considered big enough, very large navy ships usually visit Pattaya instead.
Orientation
Patong's two main axes are the aptly named Beach Road (Thanon Thawiwong) and Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi (the last bit means "200 years" and is pronounced song roi pee) running parallel a few hundred meters inland. A handful of streets and sois (alleys) connect the two, the largest and most central of which is Bangla Road (Thanon Bangla).
Eat
Patong offers an amazingly cosmopolitan array of eating options, including Arabic, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Scandinavian and pretty much any country that sends tourists here. Prices are, however, generally inflated (at least by Thai standards).
Ali Baba, 2 Thanon Ruamchai, and Ali Baba 2, 206/17 Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200P have two separate menus for two separate cuisines, namely Indian and Arabic; both are pretty good, and both locations offer air-con inside and smoking waterpipes outside. Appetizers 60-100 baht, mains around 200 baht.
Baan Yin Dee Restaurant, 7/5 Muen Ngen Road offers a fusion of European and Thai food in a warm and relaxed atmosphere, with a discreet ambience and outstanding service.
Green House and Balcony Restaurant, Bangla Road. Extensive menu covering Thai and Western food, plus pastries and snacks from the in-house bakery. Terrace seating outside and air-con restaurant inside. A bit pricy though with most everything over 100 baht.
Karlsson's Restaurant & Steak House, 108/16 Taweewong Road, Soi Patong Tower is a good choice for imported steaks and Scandinavian specialities. Open 15:00-midnight.
Lim's Restaurant & Bar, Kalim Beach (follow Beach Road out of Patong, turn right at Soi 7 after Kalim...
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Hotels in Patong Beach
| | Naiya Buree Resort at Nai Harn Beach  |
Score 6.675 from 5 reviews | | 95/22 Moo 1 Tambol Rawai, Nai Harn Beach |  |
| Naiya Buree Resort offers a peaceful retreat in beautiful surroundings. Enjoy the good location near the sandy white beaches and blue waters.
From Naiya Buree Resort, a day trip to Phuket to explore the local markets only takes 30 minutes by car. If you wish to explore the area further, there are trips to the neighbouring island and beaches.
Kata Beach and Karon Beach are 10 to 15 minutes' drive from Naiya Buree Resort. Patong Beach, which has a good variety of nightlife, is only 30 minutes' ride away. ... more | | |
 | Phuket Heritage Hotel |
Score 6.15 from 9 reviews | | 558/6 Patak Rd., Karon beach, Muang, Phuket | |
| Enjoy the rolling waves and golden sands of Karon Beach while you stay at the Phuket Heritage Hotel. With its Chinese and Portuguese influenced architecture, the resort offers comfortable accommodation at an affordable price.
You'll never need to go far from Phuket Heritage as the hotel has several facilities on site.
Relax and lounge by their swimming pool or indulge in a massage and various beauty treatments at their spa and beauty shop. There is even a night bazaar, tattoo shop and exchange bureau available.
If you're looking for more shopping and nightlife options, the hotel's location makes travelling around easy, as it is only 15 minutes away from Patong and 30 minutes from Phuket town centre. ... more | | |
 | BYD Loft Phuket  |
Score 9.075 from 13 reviews | | 5 / 28, Haad Patong Road | |
| Just a 5-minute walk from Patong Beach, BYD lofts offers stylish 1 and 2-bedroom apartments and provides easy access to various shopping and nightlife options.
Apartments are spacious and hip in design. It offers a separate living room, fully equipped kitchen and terrace. Facilities include a 42-inch plasma television with surround sound and DVD player. Free internet access is also available. This chic hotel also offers room service for your comfort.
To cool off after a hot day, take a refreshing dip in the outdoor swimming pool or enjoy a delicious meal at BYD Loft's on-site restaurant. For information on attractions and daytrip travel arrangements, enquire with the helpful staff. ... more | | |
 | South Sea Karon Phuket |
Score 6.125 from 5 reviews | | 204 Karon Road, Muang District, Phuket | |
| Morng Talay Restaurant & Bar Terrace:
This all-day restaurant and bar is an open-air beachfront venue offering a variety of international and Thai delicacies.
Bella Vista Italian Fusion:
Savour unique cuisine created by blending Italian and western cuisine with Thai spices and Thai-style cooking. Enjoy a special dining experience while gazing at the Andaman Sea.
Rooftop Garden:
Overlooking Karon Beach, the rooftop garden offers an entertainment and retreat area, where you can enjoy the aromas of herbs and spices, and sip healthy drinks.
The hotel also comes with a pool bar. ... more | | |
 | Patong Premier Resort |
Score 7 from 22 reviews | | 118,120 Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Rd., Patong Beach | |
| Patong Premier Resort is conveniently situated in a quiet location just a 5-minute walk from the beach, and 10 minutes from Patong shopping and the Bangla Road.
Start with a very good breakfast close to the swimming pool. The pool is attractively designed, and the attention to detail adds to the peaceful environment to begin the day.
Energize at the fitness centre. Rejuvenate at the sauna and steam room, and with a massage. Relax also in the pretty garden. When planning going out, ask at the tour desk for advice. The ATM is useful, too.
Enjoy the best combination for Patong of a calm spot nearby all of the attractions. Before going out to discover them, savour the delicious Thai and international food, and a favourite drink at the bar. ... more | | |
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| | | More hotels in Patong Beach |
| Half Day Safari around Phuket |
5 - 6.5 hours |
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This is perhaps the most popular and top selling half day combination tour on the Phuket island! The tour includes 9 interesting and exciting activities as follows:
Pick up from your hotel and travel by four wheel drive Land Rover into Chalong highlands to Chalong. Arrive at Siam Safari elephant camp on the top of a mountain. Meet Siam Safari?s elephants and learn about them and their carers, the mahouts. Also learn about Thai elephant conservation and how you can help. See how young elephants are trained, you can even touch them and feed them bananas. This elephant camp is the only one in southern Thailand to have attained the Thai government standard award. Take a trek on an elephant's back in the Chalong highlands with good views over Chalong bay and out to Pee Pee island.
Later see how Thai jungle curry is made and try some if you dare. See how rubber trees are tapped to produce natural rubber latex. Watch how monkeys are trained to pick coconuts and see them in action. Learn about buffaloes, you can try to sit on one and take a ride on a wooden cart pulled by a buffalo. Also see how coconuts are processed to make coconut milk and oil.
If you have chosen the option including a junk ride (morning tour only), then cruise on a traditional wooden junk in Chalong bay where you can see great views of Phuket and surrounding islands. The tour ends with a delicious buffet lunch prepared with fresh ingredients and with a selection of Thai dishes that are not too spicy. Return to your hotel after an active, educational and rewarding adventure.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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3.5 hours |
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The Elephant Village was opened in 1973 as a sanctuary for former working elephants. These elephants, through reasons of injury or ill health, can no longer be used as a part of the backbone of heavy work in the jungles of Thailand. Also because of their diminishing habitat, it is now longer possible to return them to the wild. The Elephant Village provides these magnificent creatures with a safe haven, where they may live out their lives with dignity and freedom from fear. Spend the afternoon being entertained by the big tuskers, see them having a bath and how they were once used as a working animal. The elephant show includes demonstrations of training techniques, bathing, traditional roundup methods and the Glong Sabad Chai Ceremony with a war elephant. At the end of the show, visitors will have the opportunity to take a short ride on an elephant for an extra cost.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Phi Phi Island by Speedboat |
8 hours |
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A full day out to visit the two most beautiful islands in the Andaman Sea, a perfect combination tour for those who have limited time to explore this area. Enjoy an hour ride on a speed boat to the most famous island in Asia, Phi Phi.
Discover the fantastic landscapes of 'Maya Bay' made famous by the film 'The Beach'. Enjoy a great lunch at a beachside location on Phi Phi Island. After lunch another 10 minutes ride to a secluded beach where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling and sun bathing.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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