 |  |  |
 |
 |
| SPOTLIGHT | | Tropical
beaches and jungle, Wildlife, natural heritage and sun-kissed islands. |
| |  |
 |  |  |
| | | |
| "Thailand Most Beautiful Beaches |
Pattong Beaches Beautiful Beaches
This Beach is the most
developed, most vibrant, most visited beach of Phuket that never fails to impress
visitors. Located approximately 15 kilometers from the city, the beach has a wide
range of accommodations and shopping arcades, and provides magnificent leisure
activities and energetic night-time entertainment. It is a picture perfect postcard
view of a 3-kilometer long white sandy beach that is perfect for swimming, lazing,
and enjoying challenging water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing snorkeling,
sailing, and parasailing.
Patong is the most famous - some would say
infamous - beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife,
Patong is an ideal place to party and play.
Visitors hoping for a glimpse
into the exotic East will likely not find it here among the McDonald's, KFC, Boots
and Starbucks outlets, though the steaming hot streets, neon lights and chaotic
atmosphere of Patong can be overwhelming for the new arrival. The key to full
enjoyment of the place is to pace yourself, drink lots of water and learn the
meaning of 'mai pen rai' - which translates roughly to 'It doesn't matter' or
'Don't worry, be happy'.
Patong Beach
is a beach on Phuket's west coast. It is the main tourist resort in Phuket and
contains the centre of Phuket's nightlife and cheap 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 in Patong.
Patong Beach is maybe more famous for its nightlife than the 2-kilometer beach
that runs the entire length of Patong. Nightlife is centered on two main areas
Bangla Road and Paradise Complex, with Bangla Road being predominantly straight
and Paradise Complex being predominantly gay. Much mixing of the two scenes occurs
due to Phuket Island's tolerant nature.
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 although the
destruction was not nearly as bad as nearby in Khao Lak. It took probably less
than 6 months to rebuild 80% of what was destroyed and 1 year after you could
hardly not see any traces of destruction caused by the Tsunami.
By day, Patong's curved sandy bay is a hive of activity with parasail and jet-ski
operators, boat drivers, beach vendors and masseuses all vying for the attention
of the many visitors relaxing on the beach chairs.
Patong Nightlife
Newcomers will notice that the streets of Patong are relatively
quiet by day, but they'll soon find out that when the sun goes down the town awakens
and roars. At night, the beach road and back streets turn into a hectic treading
ground for street vendors and pedestrians while the bars, pubs and discos become
heavily populated with fun-seeking locals and visitors.
Bangla Rd is
the center of the nighttime action with its long stretch of beer bars and pubs
and side lanes leading down to more naughty spots. The notorious Soi Katoey, just
off Bangla, is a lively place where punters can watch super-sexy 'ladies' dancing
on stages at the soi's entrance and further inside. The other sois are amusing
places to wander, with countless beer bars, a-go-gos and pubs to explore.
An entertainment venue that doesn't feature scantily-clad women is the Muay
Thai boxing ring at the east end of Bangla, with regular shows of the famous martial
arts form in a cavernous beer-bar setting. The famed Phuket Simon Cabaret has
two spectacular shows a night, while the newly opened Sphinx Restaurant and Theatre
offers dining and live dance shows in a classy setting.
Fans of rugby,
football and other pro sports worried about missing the big games will be relieved
to hear that Patong has numerous sports pubs with satellite TV links to all the
favourite European and international matches.
Dancing fiends will not
be disappointed with the long-running Banana, Tai-pan, Safari discos and Tiger
discos being consistently popular places to shake a leg.
For live music,
the Newly open "Saxophone" from Bangkok, and right next to it "Rock
City" are the newest additions to the night scene, located on the beach road
in front of Club Andaman. Then good bets are Molly Malone's, Scruffy Murphy's
and Margarita pubs, and The Port at Banthai Beach Resort with its marvellous Filipino
band and twirling stage.
The myriad shopping outlets and open-air markets,
bowling alleys, bookshops and cafes offer an alternative for those looking for
quieter nighttime options.
The following places offer enjoyable activities:
Phuket Water Ski Cableways: Tel: 0 7620 2525-7
Simon Cabaret: Tel: 0
7634 2011-5
Tarzans Jungle Bungy Jump: Tel: 0 7632 1351
Tazans Catapult
Bungy: Tel: 0 1464 1581
Patong Go-kart Speedway: Tel: 0 7632 1949
Phuket
Joyland: Tel: 0 7620 3005
Horror House: Tel: 0 7629 3123
In addition,
Patong offers gastronomical delights for seafood lovers. There are plenty of good
restaurants located along the beach. |
|
 |
Top Beaches |
 |
|
|
 Kata
Beachs  |
|
Just a few minutes south of Karon, Kata has a cosier
feel about it, with headlands at each end and calmer waters. A place for families
and couples to relax, snorkel, body surf and enjoy the fine sands. Good surfing
conditions during the monsoon season of May-October |
|
|
| Kata
Noi Beach |
|
This small bay of stunning white sand, separated from
Kata by a headland, is a quiet and peaceful retreat. The Kata Thani resort complex
dominates the area, while a few shops, small hotels and restaurants line the beach
road. A nice place for a relaxing snorkel or swim. |
|
|
| Kamala Beach |
|
This well-enclosed bay and fishing village has developed
rapidly in recent years yet it still retains a small-town feel. Popular with families,
Kamala Beach is lined with casual restaurants and food stalls, with good snorkelling
at the rocky north end |
|
|
| Laem Singh Beach |
|
This small,
hidden gem of a beach just south of Surin is accessible only by walking down a
fairly steep path from the road. Even so, it can get busy in the high season so
get there early for a beach chair. A few rustic restaurants offer cold drinks
and food. A pretty, quiet place to wile away an afternoon.. |
|
|
| Surin Beach |
|
This 900-meter
stretch of sand is packed with food stalls, beachfront bars and restaurants yet
life never feels too hurried here. A good place to meet friends for a relaxed
afternoon of snorkelling, swimming or touch football. Kayaks, surf and boogie
boards available for rent. |
|
|
| Bang Tao Beach |
|
Bang Tao is
beautiful wide beach of fine sand that up until the mid 1980s was a virtual moonscape
following extensive tin mining activity. Much of the area has now been converted
into the lush and lovely lagoon-dotted grounds of the 5-resort complex of Laguna
Phuket - a stunning ecological feat. |
|
|
| Pansea Beach |
|
Pansea is a tiny
cove of glittering white sand - but only accessible to the rich and famous guests
of The Chedi and Amanpuri Resorts |
|
|
| Cape Panwa |
|
The exquisite Cape Panwa, just south of the eventful Phuket Town, remains a calm, untouched gem of a place. Its blossoming hills, sandy coves, mangroves and tidal flats offer a settle down place to walk around away from the crowds. |
|
|
| Nai Thon Beach |
|
One of Phuket's
best-kept secrets. Approaching this quiet beach of silky white sand is spectacular
in itself - a drive on the coastal road from the south takes you through forested
hills while the northern approach winds through a lovely valley and small village.
Once you arrive, swim, sunbathe and marvel at how few people have discovered this
little piece of paradise. |
|
|
| Nai Yang Beach |
|
The casuarina-fringed
Nai Yang, together with Mai Khao in the north, forms the longest and most secluded
stretch of beach in Phuket, about 10-km altogether. Two hotels sit on the south
end of Nai Yang, while the north enters into Sirinath National Park, a protected
marine and coastal area. A good spot to rent a beach chair or gorge on barbecued
seafood. |
|
|
| Mai Khao Beach |
|
An endless
stretch of fine sand; the only real getaway on the west coast of Phuket. Aside
from the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, the area is largely undeveloped with
only a few bungalow operations and a campground on the beach. Take a stroll and
watch the crabs scuttle, swing on a hammock under the trees or enjoy a refreshing
swim. |
|
|
| Nai Harn Beach |
|
With most of
its beachfront land occupied by a temple, Nai Harn has been spared from over-development,
with only Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club and another resort nestled into
the hill at its north end. The soft sands and clear waters make Nai Harn an ideal
swimming and sunbathing spot, though conditions can be dangerous in the monsoon
season of May-October. |
|
|
| Ao Sane Beach |
|
A little beach
reached via a dirt road that runs through the car park of Le Meridien Phuket Yacht
Club in Nai Harn. Sometimes called "Jungle Beach". Usually a quiet and
peaceful place, with decent coral outcroppings off its mostly rocky shore. Just
one very inobtrusive resort here, the Baan Krating. |
|
|
| Ya Nui Beach |
|
A little sandy
beach found between Nai Harn and Laem Promthep, with some fairly good snorkelling.
Also a launch point for divers. Getting busier in recent years and now lined with
beach chairs for rent, but it's still quite relaxed here. There's one small, informal
restaurant with friendly staff. |
|
|
| Rawai Beach |
|
Rawai is Phuket's longest-established beach resort,
though the sea-gypsy village at its north end probably hasn't changed much over
the years. The beach is lined with open-air seafood stalls and restaurants for
casual dining under the shade of the casuarina trees. A popular launching point
for boat trips to Racha, Coral and other islands. |
|
|
| Chalong Beach |
|
This bustling
bay, a major launch area for boat and dive trips, is filled with bobbing vessels
of all shapes and sizes throughout the year. Plenty of casual restaurants, dive
shops, fishing charter and tour operators, watersports equipment suppliers, Internet
shops and even yoga and Reiki centres are packed into the short street leading
to the pier. |
|
|
| Patong Beach |
|
Patong is the most famous - some would say infamous
- beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong
is an ideal place to party and play. Patong's 3,000 metres of soft sand is a great
place to people-watch as you soak up the sun on a beach chair |
|
|
| Karon Beach |
|
Karon, featuring an incredibly long stretch of squeaky
white sand, is less hectic than Patong but it still offers a full range of facilities,
dining and activities. While it's a fast-growing area, Karon is nicely spread
out and rarely feels crowded |
|
|
|
| |
