Phuket is one of Thailand's top tourist destinations. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the white isle in search of sun, sea and a lot more besides. Tourism has taken a lot of knocks in recent years, what with the tsunami and internal problems, but Phuket still manages to attract a decent crowd no matter what. Although numbers are down after the latest spat of political turmoil, Phuket is still the island of choice for most visitors, and no beach seduces tourists quite like Patong Beach.
To look at Patong Beach, you'd wonder just what it is about the place that keeps travelers coming back in their droves. Patong isn't Phuket's most scenic place, but it does have a lot going for it. The beach itself has seen better days. What were once stretches of gorgeous white sand have become overcrowded and inundated with sun loungers and parasols.
The beach is also not as clean as it has been in the past, thanks to the large number of tourists and hawkers. But Patong is about more than just the beach. If you want unspoiled scenery, Mai Khao, Nai Yang and a host of other beach spots are just a short drive away. What Patong Beach has going for it is convenience. Everything you could think of for a holiday is right their on your doorstep.
The variety of accommodation in Patong is unsurpassed anywhere else on the island. Whether you're a backpacker on a shoestring budget or a honeymooner looking for something romantic for you and your loved on, Patong has it all, with no budget left uncatered to.
Then there is Patong's dining scene, which remains more vibrant and chock full of choice than any other part of Phuket. Whatever your preference, be it for pasta, seafood or fajitas, there are enough restaurants in Patong to please even the choosiest of travelers.
You can't, however, talk about Patong Beach without mentioning the nightlife. It's what makes Patong famous, and also very noisy. For a long time, the nightlife in Patong was primarily about go-go bars and beer bars. To a certain extent, this is still the case. Throngs of tourists come with one thing in mind: meeting Thai girls. Romantic, it ain't, but the sex industry in Patong is not likely to disappear any time soon.
Patong has more to offer than just girly bars. Rockers can mosh at Rock City, dancers can boogie away at La Salsa and serious clubbers can get down at Club Lime. There really is something for everyone at Patong Beach.
There are so many Phuket beaches that it can be difficult to choose which one is right for you. There's no doubt that Patong Beach has a lot to offer, but Phuket is large enough that there is no harm in moving about from one place to the next to get a feel for which areas are the best.
