Phuket
Strikes Back!
Please
note this story was written before the recent Tsunami
Whether it be the bars, clubs, cabaret, or even Vegas style shows,
you'll find Patong Beach's nightlife will rock just about everyone's world. As
the sunsets, generous happy hours (Baht 99/Pint Carlsberg) are well under way
along the neon lit Soi Bangla; the centre of Patong's entertainment.
Linking the 2 main roads running parallel to the beach
Thaweewong Road (the beach road) and Rat-U-Thid Road (300m away), Soi Bangla is
where the adventurous can experience everything from live ringside Muay Thai (Thai
boxing) from about 8pm onwards at the boxing bars (boxers appreciate a contribution
for their efforts) to the full on Cabaret performed by the local Katoy's (Thai
Lady Boys) down the road at the Moulen Rose.
Among
the multitude of small western style bars (Irish, Aussie, English etc.), Soi Bangla
is also home to two large 'Thai' entertainment plazas; "Tiger" a sprawling, split
level mountain theme plaza and "Dragon" a 3 storey plaza with a new disco and
sound system, open 9pm. Both sport many small bars, pool zones, music and very
friendly hostesses making either venue a welcome port of call.
If
your after a more mellow scene and prefer to chill with a beer and live music
then there are numerous venues on and around Soi Bangla; Scruffy's, Tai Pan, Baya,
Molly Malone's, Two Black Sheep, Moodies and so on, catering for every musical
taste from Latin, Jazz, Pop, to Blues, Celtic and of course live Rock n Roll from
"Elvis" himself with open air performances at Phuket Bar along the beach rd.
The
most popular nightclubs in town are the Banana Disco (usually 9pm start, Baht
200 entrance) located affront the Patong Beach Hotel, beach road and the Star
Club (under reconstruction, re-open April/May) located on the corner of Soi Bangla
and Rat-U-Thid Road opposite Puket's infamous Rock Hard Caf? (a go go bar/restaurant).
But
for those looking for an unforgettable and truly spectacular island extravaganza
to top off a great visit then look no further than the Phuket Fantasea Show.
For approx Baht 1,200/1,800 (with or without dinner) tickets
can be booked at your hotel or at one of the numerous tour kiosks around town.
You will be collected from (and returned to) your hotel by tour van (on time)
and taken to the Fantasea theme park at Kamala (20mins away)
I'm not going to
give details of the show as (the surprises add to the experience) except to say
that once you are seated in the amazing elephant temple (2000 seater auditorium)
you are witnessed to THE most impressive, surprising, beautiful and larger than
life 2hr Thai show you will ever see anywhere in the Kingdom, so don't miss it.
Enjoy.
And remember
..
Keepitreal.
