Phuket.Baronbonk.com Phuket Island and Patong Beach, Thailand

P h u k e t

Phuket has a vast array of nightlife mainly centred in Patong Beach which has a vast variety of nightlife from small beer bars to modern flashy cocktail lounges and gogos. It also has one of the latest nightlife areas in Thailand. However many people can remember when Patong beach was a few bungalows not the major international resort it now is. However the whole Island has become a major tourist destination with several resort areas and large hotel resorts all round the island.
Phuket Town, the official state capital, is a hive of industry as well as a port. However Patong Beach is the main area that will interest our readers with its bars and gogos, but that does not mean to say there is not life elsewhere.
The beaches are a popular daytime destination and are normally safe to swim providing you watch the currents in certain seasons. However no problem if your idea of swimming is a gentle paddle. You can normally find a part of beach that is relatively secluded, especially if you move away from the main areas,, but of course, the beach traders will still find you.
Being such a vast tourist attraction, which these days is heavily focused on couples and families means, that almost every tourist attraction is available. The Phuket Fantasia show is, by all reports, well worth a visit. There are four good golf courses on the island.

Getting to Phuket

There are night buses and various other nefarious ways of traveling, but the only practical way to get the Phuket is by air. There are many flights from Bangkok each day and except at the very height of the high season a flight can normally be walked onto at the last minute. The prices now vary considerably as some of the no frills airlines have started operating on this route. There are also direct flights from Samui and a few other smaller airports. International flights, some by the cut price airlines, from surrounding counties, fly in daily. In the high season there are some direct flights from Europe.
The airport is well to the north of the island and minibus, or taxi transfers, are then booked at the airport. Unfortunately the transport from the airport has been taken over by a couple of very unpleasant and unhelpful companies. It is one of the worst hassle factor airports I know. The minibuses, which are supposed to go regularly to main areas, are constantly delayed in an attempt to get you to take an expensive (by Thai standards) taxi.

Bars and Nightlife

All the main bar areas are in Patong beach, although there are a few bar sois in Karon, Kata and Phuket Town. Kamala, where Phuket Fantasia is located, is just beginning to develop a few bars.
In Patong the central Bangla road has bars, gogos and bar sois it's entire length. Opposite the top on Bangla (opposite end to the sea) is the late night bar area that starts around 2 am and goes on to late. Sawatdirak road has a few new bars and a developing bar soi in the middle (Soi Sea Pearl). The Night Plaza is a vast new redevelopment of an already failed-once area. It now does seem to have a large number of bars, but the punters don't seem to know, or care.

Getting around

In central Patong a good pair of legs and an ability to walk will get you to most areas. There are tuk tuk mini buses, which will take you wherever, but agree the price before unless you know. Getting round the island can be done by taxi, or bus. Many people hire motor bikes to get around. There are three rules to riding motor bikes. 1. Do not ride when drinking. 2. Have plenty of insurance and check it covers bike accidents. 3. Write a will before leaving home.
You have been warned!

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