From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

View of Patong Beach, with condominium tower.

Patong Beach (Thai หาดป่าตอง) refers to a beach on Phuket's west coast, and to the town adjoining it. It is the main tourist resort in Phuket. It also contains an important center of Phuket's nightlife and is the center of inexpensive shopping on the island. The beach became popular with Western tourists, especially Europeans, in the late 1980s. Numerous large hotels and chain hotels are located there.

Patong Beach is as equally famous for its nightlife as also the 3.5-kilometer beach that runs the entire length of Patong’s western side. Nightlife is centered on two main areas Bangla Road and Paradise Complex, with Bangla Road being predominantly straight and Paradise Complex being predominantly gay. Both roads are lined with many themed bars, discotheques, and go go bars. Prostitution is culturally acceptable, especially on Bangla Road where there are many older Western men drinking with much younger Thai women and transvestites. Most discos in Patong charge a 100 baht admission fee but rather than being a cover charge, this is actually a drink minimum since you get a voucher and most clubs charge 100 baht for almost all drinks. [1]

On December 26, 2004, Patong Beach along with many other areas along the western coast of Phuket and Thailand were struck by a tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The wave caused a great deal of destruction to the waterfront of the beach and immediately inland, and many people were killed there. Patong was one of the worst affected areas of Phuket, although the destruction was not nearly as bad as nearby in Khao Lak. However, the water in Patong Beach seemed clearer after the tsunami. ^[1]

View of the Patong Beach facing South.

Row of tuk-tuks on Thawiwong Road, Patong Beach.

Climate

The island of Phuket has a tropical climate with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. Average temperatures are consistent year-round. Average highs range from 29 °C (84 °F) to 33 °C (91 °F); average lows range from 23 °C (73 °F) to 26 °C (79 °F).

References

External links

• Patong Beach travel guide from Wikitravel

Coordinates: 7°53′N 98°17′E / 7.89°N 98.29°E / 7.89; 98.29

From Wikitravel

The south end of Patong Beach

Patong Beach (หาดป่าตอง Haad Patong) is the largest beach resort on the island of Phuket.

Understand

Patong is the party capital of Asia, with a world famous nightlife and a great beach. Mostly made up of hotels, world class restaurants, nightclubs and various tourist attractions, this is a hedonists heaven of nightlife, with numerous entertainment complexes and countless bars clustered together in and around Bangla Road and the beach road. The town has a very obvious female, transgender and male sex industry to cater to every taste, however to only view it as this is a mistake, it offers so much more, for families and couples too.

Massage parlors of the erotic as well the therapeutic (Nuad Thai) 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. However this is not Patong's stated market, it is fairly and squarely aimed at holidaymakers and does it rather well.

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. However Patong has every type of accommodation imaginable, from home stays to 5 star palaces.

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 visited about once per year 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 three 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 bee) running parallel a few hundred meters inland, bisected at the midpoint by the world famous Soi Bangla.

Running parallel to the Beach Road and Rat-U-Thit about half a kilometer inland is Nanai Road which is the residential expatriate area and has many cheaper guest houses and hotels. The restaurants on this road tend to be cheaper as well as beers which can be had for B50 a bottle generally.

Between Nanai Road and Rat-U-Thit is the new bypass road which is almost open, suitable for motorbikes at present and braver car owners. This Road runs behind the huge Jungceylon shopping center and past the local fresh fish and vegetable market 'Baanzan', well worth a visit if you are self catering.

Get in

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.

By Limousine

Limousine usually referrs to a larger sedan, such as Toyota Camry, with leather seats, etc. They cost around 600-700 baht to go to Kata Beach. Considering the drive is about an hour long, this is one of the best options to get to Kata Beach.

Get around

Patong can (just about) be covered on foot, but there are plenty of taxis and motorbikes to get you around. The cost of these is one of the main down sides to Patong as they are unregulated and charge what they please.

Phuket has two types of taxi - millions (or so it seems) of small songthaew-style minivans (usually bright red, occasionally bright yellow), and very few 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 typically cost B200 since the one way system was invoked.

For longer distances the metered taxis are generally a better bet. You can hail one by telephone on 076-232157.

Motorbike taxi rides within Patong start around 40 baht.

See

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.

There is a sex industry, but it easily avoided if you stay off the main drag of Bangla Road. This is mainly populated by visitors whom are curious and mostly sex tourists.

Amongst the non sexual 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 performed by excellent musicians in a great atmosphere. Don't miss it.

Do

Private Party on a Private Island [1]. You can rent a private island including a Thai staff to service, a sound system with D.J stand with loud speakers.

Diving and Snorkeling There are many big scuba diving companies located in Patong. The dive centres offer full dive courses and introductory dives.

• For Snorkeling and SNUBA diving Phuket-Diver [2] offers snorkelling gear rental, maps, information and SNUBA diving which allows individuals, couples, and families to safely and easily experience the underwater world.

• Take a day trip to Koh Racha Yai for either scuba diving or snorkeling. A full day out that all the family can enjoy. Amazing scenery above and below the surface. Thailand Divers conduct this trip on a daily basis all year round. [3]

Other Things to See and Do

• Jet-skiing, para-sailing and other water-sports. (Note: There is NO insurance when doing these)

• Get a designer suit or dress made for peanuts. Jaspal Tailor [4] off Soi Bangla is a good place to start.

• All tours and holiday activities, visit Wild Kingdom Tours [5] opposite the temple “Wat Suwan Kiriwong”

• Pay to see the world famous ladyboy show at Simon Cabaret [6] or see one for free at Katoueys R Us, off Bangla road.

• Pay to see Muay Thai - Thai Boxing at the Soi Tan Stadium, tickets available from the old Bangla Stadium next to Margarita Bar.

• Learn to speak some Thai at Patong Language School [7]

• 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, Hollywood, Baya Beach or Seduction discos.

• Buy fake goods off the many stalls all over the place (quality is normally poor). The Thai government recently introduced a new law making it a criminal offence to buy or sell pirated goods. Although no cases involving tourists have been reported at the time of writing, the risk does exist that goods that violate intellectual property rights may be liable to confiscation at the airport. [8]

• Take a two hour Thai kickboxing lesson for around 300 baht.

• Do a Fishing Trip [9]. Including: stay on a Private Island, fishing on a Thai fishing boat inc. guides, snorkeling and swimming, seafood barbecue dinner. You can have a private fishing trip for your group only. You can rent the private island for a Private Party on the island.

• Have a Nail Spa to retreat your nails at Oriental de Phuket [10]

• Take a private tour of Phuket with an experienced tour guide - fluent in English and Thai [11]

Buy

One of Patong's main attractions, besides the nightlife, is shopping. Many small stalls and markets line the streets offering everything from t-shirts and clothing, silk, carvings, souvenirs, shoes, CDs and DVDs. Bargain hard for anything you buy from these stalls, as everything is negotiable in Patong and starting prices are often ridiculously high. Get a local to help you haggle rather than complain about it. Save yourself to bargain and overpay. Shopping at shopping malls in Phuket is a lot saver and cost effective. Price of a pair of sunglasses for example will be the same price as stalls on beach road (non-bargain).

• Jungceylon (จังซีลอน), Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200P (near the northern end of Bangla Road) [12] 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, but it opened in July 2007.

• 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.

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).

• Savoey (เสวย), 136 Thaweewong Rd, Patong Beach (Simply best seafood restaurant in Patong.), ☎ 076 341171, [13].  edit

• Patong Seafood Restaurant, 130 Thaweewong Road, Patong Beach, ☎ 0 76341244-5. One of the finest seafood restaurants on Phuket serving local delicacies.  edit

• Casablanca Restaurant (ร้านอาหาร คาซาบลังกา), 135/23 Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Road,Patong Beach (Get to the heart of Arabian taste and dining experience right here), ☎ 076 340 666.  edit

• Ali Baba, 2 Thanon Ruamchai, and Ali Baba 2, 206/17 Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200P [14] 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.

• Spice House, Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200P, Jungceylon Shopping Centre (Sino Phuket Wing), Patong Beach.[15] The most varied restaurant in Patong, offering authentic Russian, modern Thai and traditional Japanese cuisine, cooked by 5 star russian and thai chefs, relaxing and spiritual atmosphere, reasonable prices. Rich in flavor, rich in taste. Open 12AM - 10PM.

• Baan Rim Pa Prabaramee Road, Patong Beach ( Tel: 0 76340789) [16] (impressive wooden carving decor, fabulous location on the cliff, excellent royal Thai Food)

• Baan Yin Dee Restaurant, 7/5 Muen Ngen Road, Tel: 0 76294104-5 [17] 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.

• Fuji Japanese Restaurant Jungceylon,Patong Beach 1 st Fl. (Tel: 0 7660 0056-7)

• Floyd's Brasserie,at Burasari Resort,Patong Beach:Highly recommend!Tel + 66(0)7637 0000, [18]

• Karlsson's Restaurant & Steak House, 108/16 Taweewong Road, Soi Patong Tower [19] 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 Beach, on your right 500m into the soi) [20] is a nice hide-away from the busy streets of Patong, with modern Thai cuisine served daily 18:30-22:30. LIM's also has an adjacent art gallery of modern style.

• Sam's Steak House, Holiday Inn Resort, 52 Thaweewong Road [21] serves the finest steaks only from top quality US or Aussie beef, free salad bar with all steak orders. Moderate to high price depending on the kind of food ordered but good value. Daily 18:00-22:15.

• The Old Fisherman's, Novotel Phuket Resort (Kalim Beach) has Thai and international food. Reasonable prices for a hotel outlet. Open 18:30-22:30.

• The Roma is down one of the little streets along Patong but easy to see you do go past MacDonalds. Good for imported Italian pasta and pizza, has indoor and outdoor seating.

• The Yorkshire Inn, Soi Sansabai, has "fabulous" European and British food, and an "amazing" Sunday lunch which is repeated on Wednesday.

• 99 Seafood Restaurant, Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee, is an open-air restaurant opposite the Royal Paradise Hotel and has excellent seafood selections. The price is also quite affordable and the place is usually busy at night!

• La Diva, Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee, is in a dead-end alley off Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee. It is a bit off the beaten path but you can find it right next to an Austrian, a Belgian, and a Mexican restaurant (go figure) at the bend of the alley. You can easily see it by its colorful neon sign. La Diva itself has a Latin theme and plays Latin pop non-stop. However, the menu is all Thai. And the Thai food there is the best I've ever had anywhere. One should not miss the green curry chicken (Gang Kiew Wan Gai) and the king prawn with glass noodles (goong po woon sen).

• Oceanview Restaurant, Patong Lodge, 284/1 Prabaramee Road [22] serving various kind of international and Thai food. Reasonable price and good value for money. Open Daily 11:00-24:00.

• JungceylonFoodcourt, Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200P ,Basement Jungceylon Centre,Patong Beach - Foodcourt in basement has various types of local food Indian/Thia mostly .Good value commercial canteen in style with tables in middle and food vendors set into walls around table area.

Bangla Road by day

Patong's nightlife spills out in all directions but the center of the maelstrom is Thanon Bang La and its four sois - Crocodile, Eric, Gonzo and Seadragon, packed with a frenetic mix of pubs, beer bars, and go-go bars. Soi Crocodile is also known as Soi Katoey, a reference to its many transexuals. There are also a couple of good nightclubs with dance floors - an unusual sight in Thailand otherwise.

• Molly Malone's is a nice place to sit down and have a decent pint or two. The prices are a bit high, but if you need some good pub food and want to sit back and watch the human traffic plus the great music band, this is a good enough pub.

• Get your bearings and great advice about the island from the super friendly management at Zasa Bar, soon to be renamed The Manchester Arms, opposite Jungceylon Shopping Plaza.Zasa's Manchester Arms [23] It's also the best place to watch the sports and they have an occaisional live music Jam with some of the island's best musicians. They are also the only bar in town playing music from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. Reasonable prices and they have Aussie beers and Tetley's Bitter from the UK on draught.

• Irish Bar Is another nice and less expensive place also on Beach Road, though not with a view of the beach. One of the only places in Patong to sell Guinness, it also has a Celtic cross made with Guinness cans.

Rock City at the very top of Soi Bangla, opposite end from the beach, is a palace built to Rock Music called Rock City. They promise to 'rock your ass off' and they do with excellent rock tribute bands. It's like going to a mini gig every night. A bit pricy but well worth it.

• Andaman Queen (อันดามัน ควีน) Patong Beach (A Go Go Cabaret)
• Atrium Lobby Lounge (แอทริม ลอบบี้ เล้าจ์) Tel: 0 7623 3333, Fax: 0 7623 3335 (Hotel lobby cafe & restaurant)
• Banana Disco (บานาน่า ดิสโก้) Patong Beach
• Baya Beach Disco (บายา บีช ดิสโก้) Patong Beach
• Clublime Disco, Patong beach road, Tel: 08 787 11 95 (disco)
• La Saisa Bar (ลา ใสสา บาร์) Patong Beach
• Old Dutch Bar (โอ ดัช บาร์) Patong Beach
• New Star Club (นิว สตาร์ คลับ) Patong Beach, Bangla Road
• Little Aussie Town Aussie Bar - OTOP Shopping Paradise, Rat-U-Thit 200 Year Road, Patong Beach [24]
• Reggae Bar (แรกเก้ บาร์) End of soi Seadragon, Bangla Road, Patong Beach
• Relics Pub (รีลิกซ์ ผับ) Patong Beach, Sai Namyen Road
• Rock Hard (ร๊อค ฮาร์ด) Patong Beach, Bangla Road (A Go Go Bar)
• Siam Indigo Bar & Restaurant (สยาม อินดิโก้ บาร์ แอนด์ เรสเตอร์รอง) Tel: 0 7625 6697, Fax: 0 7625 6697 (Exotique hotel & restaurant)
• Tai Pan Bar (ไทยป่าน บาร์) Patong Beach (A Go Go Bar)
• Tiger Disco (ไทเกอร์ ดิสโก้) Patong Beach, Bangla Road
• YoYo's Bar (โยโย่ บาร์) Patong Beach

• Banana Disco, Thanon Thawiwong (50 m south of Bangla Road) - entry 300 baht, including 2 drinks. Small but good DJ.

• Clublime, on Patong beach Road [25] become one of the best spot in Phuket. Clublime nightclub, bar & restaurant is seaside, on Patong Beach road, 20 meters from the beach, a 5-10 minutes walk north of Bangla Rd. There are very few bars and clubs in Phuket that dare to play anything other than hip hop or rock music... Club Lime focuses on real clubbing tunes, covering everything from electro, techno to funky house. If you are looking for a club with decent house music, with happy people, Clublime is definitely a place to check out. [www.clublime.info]

• D Club, Soi Crocodile, Bangla Road [26] - recently opened nightclub under joint Thai/Swedish ownership

• Hollywood Club, Thanon Bangla [27] - opened in August 2008 and very popular, pulling in many of the nearby bar girls after work, and a lot of young tourists. Plays dance and contemporary pop music, unfortunately not over the best sound system/acoustics. Features 'prize throw' giveaways.

• Tai Pan, the daddy of all Patong's disco's, the best music and lights and always very busy, at the top of Soi Bangla at the traffic lights end of the road.

Sleep

Accommodation is rather expensive during the peak season with simple air-con rooms ranging from 500-1500 baht; fan rooms start around 300 baht but availability is limited. In the low season, air-con rooms are easily found from around 300 baht and up. You can usually get at better deal for the more expensive rooms by using one of the local travel shops. It pays to haggle with them.

• Andaman Place Guest House, (kaya.guesthouse.phuket@gmail.com), [28]. A friendly, clean, safe guesthouse situated at Patong Beach. All rooms have air-con, refrigerator and cable TV.  edit
• Golden Buddha Guesthouse, Soi Nanai 157/9 (close to Mae Ubol and Banzaan Thai Markets), ☎ +66-(0)848431776 (contact@goldenbuddha.com), [29]. Run by a great group of people, comfortable rooms, easy baht bus trip to the beach, no joiner fee, wireless, cable, food and coffee downstairs. 700THB-1100THB.  edit
• Add Mansion. Cheap & clean rooms in the town centre.  edit
• Anchalee Inn [30] book through wotif.com.Basic clean ensuite rooms with no windows at South end of beach. About 15 min walk from Bangla Rd. Staff were very friendly and helpful, plenty of warnings about patong life.No extra cost for 'joiners'.
• Kaya House, (kaya.guesthouse.phuket@gmail.com), [31]. A friendly, clean, safe guesthouse situated at Patong Beach. All rooms have air-con, refrigerator and cable TV.  edit
• Patong Palmview Resort. 135/1 Nanai Road , Tel: +66 76 344837, Palmview Resort Patong Beach [32] situated on the footstep of the mountains of Patong Beach Bay, 5 min. drive to the center of lively Patong. Rates are from THB 711 to THB 3000 incl. all Taxes. Own Hotel Swimming Pool and relax zone, 20 spacious rooms.
• SquareOne, 241/34 Rat-U-Thit Road, ☎ 076 341 486 (info@square1.biz, fax: 076 340 873), [33]. Swimming pool, Wi-Fi, free Internet.  edit
• SUNSET MANSION, [34], - Offers accommodation - rooms and apartments with all attractively furnished and appointed to give you complete comfort and relaxed holiday.
• The Tavern, 104/37 Thaweewong Rd., Patong Beach (End of Soi Post Office, 100m from beach), ☎ +66(0)89868-1073 (thetavernphuket@hotmail.com, fax: +66(0)76344491), [35]. Good values rooms above a bar run by a Thai/British couple, a stone's throw from the beach. A/C, Minibar, Hot Water etc. THB500 up (low season).  edit]

• Patong Paragon Resort & Spa, 280 Prabaramee Rd. Patong, Krathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand, ☎ (66-76) 290 555, [36]. The resort's seven suites and 114 rooms feature modern tropical interiors with spacious size, large balconies, huge bathrooms and plush amenities. All suites and rooms have private balconies most of which overlook the breathtaking views of the crystal blue Andaman Sea and the powdery white sand of Patong Beach. Thailand  edit

• Add Mansion (แอ๊ด แมนชั่น) 209/25-26 Rat-Uthit 200 Pi Road, Tambon Patong (Tel: 0 7629 4430-1) 15 rooms: 1,300-1,500 baht
• Aloha Villa (อโลฮา วิลล่า) 145/2 Rat-Uthit 200 Pi Road, Tambon Patong (Tel: 0 7634 5733-42 Fax: 0 7634 5743 www.phuket-aloha.com), 121 rooms: 1,100-2,500 baht

• C&N Hotel, 151 Rat-U-Thit Song Roi Pi Rd., Patong Beach. Tel. +66 076 341892-3, Fax +66 076 341895. Located in its own Soi about 50 mtrs from the corner of Bangla Road, this three-storey hotel with a friendly management is double glazed throughout and therefore relatively peaceful at night in spite of its location in the heart of the nightlife action. The hotel has its own massage parlour, restaurant and beauty salon in addition to free overnight parking facilities. The hotel also offers a complimentary free airport transfer by air-conditioned minibus for bookings of three days or more. Rooms from 1,000 Baht. [37]

• KN Guesthouse, 076-294-151, [38]. Just off Ratuthid Road on Soi Jintana, near the Paradise Complex. Swimming pool and restaurant. Squeaky clean and great hosts. Rooms from 1200 baht.

• Komma Bar & Guesthouse - fantastic location on the south end of the main Patong strip, right across the road from the beach, offers good food, warm vibes and hotel quality rooms for 1400 baht.

• Patong Inn 128 Taweewong Road, tel: +66-76292545. Right in the middle of everything, just across the road from the beach and steps away from Bangla Road. Friendly staff, clean and comfortable. 2000 baht including breakfast for 2 people.

• Yorkshire Inn. central location, nice people, and great rooms and suites starting from 1200 baht.

• Patong bayshore. central location, average service and poor quality rooms and from 1200 baht. best avoided.

• Patong Lodge Hotel. 284/1 Prabaramee Rd., Tel: +66 76 341 020, [39] situated on a hill between the end of Patong and Kalim beaches, overlooking the Andaman Sea, In a walking distance to the beach, 5 minutes drive to the center of lively Patong. Rates are from THB1000 to THB5000.

• Patong Palmview Resort. 135/1 Nanai Road , Tel: +66 76 344837, Palmview Resort Patong Beach [40] situated on the footstep of the mountains of Patong Beach Bay, 5 min. drive to the center of lively Patong. Rates are from THB 790 to THB 3000 incl. all Taxes. Own Hotel Swimming Pool and relax zone, 20 spacious rooms.

• Quality Resort Patong Beach. [41] the most relaxing and hospitable boutique resorts! Located on the south of Patong Beach, the most well known beach in Phuket, just a few steps from the beach. Surrounding the resort are a multitude of shops offering a tempting array of goods and souvenirs. Phuketbooking.org (it's sister company) is the major online booking channel to promote on the Internet.

• SM-Resort SM Resort Patong Beach Phuket, Patong Beach Resort Hotel Phuket Tel: +6676512493, +6676512494 Patong Beach Resort Hotel Phuket

• Absolute Sea Pearl Beach Resort (แอ็บโซลูท ซีเพิร์ล บีช รีสอร์ท) 42/1 Thawiwong Road (Tel: 076 341901-10 Fax: 0 7634 1122 Bangkok Tel: 02 9507 7526 [42]), 65 rooms: 4,200-20,000 baht

• Amari Coral Beach Resort, (อมารี คอรัล บีช รีสอร์ท) 2 Mun-Ngoen Road (Tel: 0 7634 0106-10 Fax: 0 7634 0115, [43]. The only resort up on the small hill at the east end of Patong Beach and away from the noise of the town. Very peaceful, exotic views, extremely nice staff and ideal for honeymooners. US$ 138-315.

• Andaman Beach Suite (อันดามัน บีช สวีท) 60/12 Rat-Uthit Road, Tel: 0 7634 1879-83 Fax: 0 7634 0893, [44]. 91 rooms: 2,000-4,500 baht

• Burasari, 18/110 Ruamjai Road, tel. +66-76292929, [45]. Lovely boutique resort in a quiet soi on the south side of Patong, just 15 meters off the beach. Hit by the tsunami but quickly and competently restored, excellent swimming pool with direct access from the aptly named "Deluxe Pool Access" rooms. Regular room rates from 2700/4000 baht in the low/high season.

• Diamond Cliff Resort, [46], is located at the northern end of Patong and nestles into the hillside above the town. Commanding spectacular views, it overlooks the sparkling turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea below, as waves break onto the glistening white sands of Kalim Beach. The hotel has 333 rooms and suites, all with private balconies, set in 20 acres of lush gardens. Low-season rates are from 5797B for the Super Deluxe (Double/Twin) rooms.

• Holiday Inn Resort, [47], is conveniently located just 15 minutes from Phuket town and standing in its own secluded grounds just a step away from the island's most popular beach, Patong. The hotel offers accommodation either in the 265-room Main Wing or in the new Busakorn Wing, which offers 140 Studio and Villa rooms centred around two magnificently themed and landscaped pools. Rates are from 3700B to 5600B.

• Impiana Phuket Cabana, [48], is the island's one and only first-class boutique resort haven situated at the heart of Phuket's most popular beach, Patong Beach. The resort has 70 luxuriously appointed rooms with full services and amentities to make your holiday a real retreat in Phuket. Rates start from 8800B for a Superior, Patong-facing room and go into the stratosphere with the 15400B/night Impiana Suite.

• Novotel Phuket, [49], is next to the Diamond Cliff and offers magnificient views and stunning tropical sunsets over Patong Beach and the Andaman Sea. The hotel has six restaurants including the superb "Old Fisherman" seafood restaurant. There are 215 rooms available and rates start from 3260B for a Superior room.

• Thavorn Beach Village & Spa, [50], is situated amongst the lush greenery of Nakalay Bay looking across the crystal clear ocean and fine white sands. The Beach Village has 119 villas and 75 bungalows.

• Phuket Resort Hotel, [51], all phuket patong resort hotel.

• Raya Buri, [52],

• SUNSET BEACH RESORT, [53], - located on a quiet place in north Patong, set in harmony with nature, a daily beach stroll is very appropriate or big varieties of activities are just down the beach. Or simply enjoy the perfect twilight with the huge orange ball slowly disappearing into the sea.

• Deevana Patong Resort & Spa is surrounded by twelve secluded acres of lush tropical gardens on Patong Beach, Deevana Patong Resort and Spa offers tranquillity and a relaxing pace of life away from the bustling crowds yet still within easy walking distance of the vibrant night life and entertainment that Patong is renowned for. Experience the ultimate in relaxation and get a real taste of Thailand in this tropical oasis just 45 minutes from Phuket International Airport and a 10 minute walk to Patong beach. [54]

• Horizons Hotels Phuket [55] 64/39 Thaweewong Road, Phuket 83150, Thailadn, +66(0)76 292 526-30 Located in Patong Beach (Phuket) features 160 rooms in 1 to 3 storey buildings style buildings. All rooms are well furnished with private bathtub / shower, toiletries, color TV with cable TV, individually controlled air-conditioning.

• Kamala - next beach to the north

• Karon - next beach to the south

• Phuket Town