Its official, Phuket is still rocking! 
Please note this story was written before the recent Tsunami

       Patong Beach Area    

IÂ’m pleased to inform all that despite entertainment zoning and early closing hours around the Kingdom, Patong Beach, Phuket still has a lively nightlife!

 Noy, a bartender at Patong’s oldest Irish Bar “Molly Malones” summed up island life when she said “Mai Pen Rai (nevermind), we just make all Phuket our own zone!”

And with that vibe of positivity in hand I was ready to revisit Patong Beach, ThailandÂ’s premier entertainment zone!

Strolling along the 3 KM curved white sandy beach and being reacquainted with the multitude of languages and accents heard around me I was delighted to see nothing had changed. The Pearl of the AndamanÂ’s most popular beach is still a world class venue for some serious fun in the sun.  It never really matters how many of PatongÂ’s cosmopolitan sun worshippers hit the sand, as because of its size and shape, it never seems full.

 Bronzed beach beauty Natilie from Argentina commented that “Patong is better than Rio because the beach here is truly wonderful and there is carnival every night along Bangla Road” (the heart of PatongÂ’s nightlife, cabaret and bar scene)   

 As the bay is a well known, very safe (swimming areas are separated by easily seen fluorescent buoys from water sport areas) and a fantastic venue for water sports, all are available and to save you time IÂ’ve done the leg work for you, so let me assure you that all vendors offer the same hire prices; Jet skiing 500Bht/15mins or 700Bht/30mins, Parasailing 600Bht/per 1 trip around the bay (yep thatÂ’s me, couldnÂ’t resist, the view was great from up there), Banana Boat 200Bht/per person, Speedboat and Catamaran hire/negotiable as per time or destination.

For those who are less energetic, 50Bht for the day will get you a sun lounger and an umbrella which are much needed during peak sun hours (noon to 3pm) with cold drinks, fresh fruit and sandwiches all at 20Bht also sold and served to you all day by beach vendors without you having to move an inch! If you still arenÂ’t relaxed enough from the amazing view across the bay and the lack of necessity to move your backside or you need a good squeezing to wake you out of last nights hangover, beach oil massages at 300 Bht/1hr are commonly available too.   

If like me, you just decided to rock up at the last moment (check out the excellent low air fares currently available 3,000Bht return), donÂ’t worry about finding accommodation.

Quite simply, Patong has heaps of hotels, resorts, guest houses, villas, and apartments to suit every budget from backpacker to executive. Cheapest rooms I noticed weÂ’re 200Bht (with fan & shared bathroom) and 10mins walk from the beach. If you follow the rule that the further away from the beach you are, the lower the room rate will be, youÂ’ll find the right place for you. DonÂ’t forget that the longer you stay the more discount you may get so ask at reception.

Away from the beach and aside from the souvenir shops and few early opening market traders (most are usually only in full swing at night when itÂ’s cool and as with everywhere expect you to bargain for the price you want) thereÂ’s less activity around town until at least midday when most visitors are woken by the demand of a neglected stomach for some much needed solids or the head wanting the hair of the dog.

The 2 main roads running parallel to the beach Thaweewong Road (the beach road) and Rat-U-Thid Road (300m away) are home to numerous bars (99Bht/Calsberg Pint & 60Bht Large Beer Chang), restaurants, cafes and hotel coffee shops of ALL descriptions that cater for EVERY taste and budget, so whether youÂ’re wanting to sample some of the AndamanÂ’s freshest bounty or simply just crave some of your home countryÂ’s delights Patong has it all, but maybe your first solids of the day should be delayed until youÂ’ve truly woken up Patong style with a mad leap from the World Bungy Jump located 20mins walk from the beachÂ…Â…Â…..to be continued!

Nightlife, Ko Phi Phi and more to come, so if you want to learn about PhuketÂ’s very own yellow submarine (no, IÂ’m not joking), see you soon.

And rememberÂ…..

Keepitreal.