A Travel Guide To Patong Beach, Phuket

Patong refers to a beach and town on the west coast of Phuket and it’s the main tourist resort area on the island. Patong is also the centre of Phuket’s vibrant nightlife and shopping scene. Even though it’s currently one of the most popular tourist spots, it hasn’t always looked like that.
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Historically, Patong was a quiet fishing village that provided a calm escape for the very few travellers who made it to the island. Not much was known about Patong or Phuket itself until the 1970s when travellers began exploring the hidden gems of Thailand.
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The turning point for Patong’s tourism came in the 1980s. That’s when the government decided to transform Patong into a tourist destination and made great improvements to its infrastructure.
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With the Phuket International Airport and better roads, Phuket and its beaches became more accessible to travellers around the world. That’s when Patong and the surrounding areas began transforming into the bustling beach resorts we see today.

Having experienced and sustained the boom of tourism from the 80s, Patong and Phuket are now moving on to more sustainable and responsible tourism practices. The country is making efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the island and the health of its marine life.
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Nowadays, when most people think about Phuket, their first associations are the Patong nightlife and beach scene. While the bustling club and bar scene does attract a lot of travellers, there is still so much to see and do there.

Only 20 minutes away from Club Med Phuket, Patong Beach is easily accessible and you can reach it by taxi, bus, or car hire. The beach is also just 35 kilometres away from the Phuket International Airport and there’s no shortage of transportation. Whether you want to get a meter taxi, minibus, or the airport shuttle, you can reach Patong Beach in less than an hour.
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Guests staying at Club Med Phuket can easily reach the nightlife and shopping mecca from the resort. Once you’re there, you can easily cover the entire town and beach on foot and take in all the sights. However, if you prefer motorized transport, you can take your pick between buses, taxis, minivans, and even motorbike taxis.
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A quick tip: If you hire an unmetered vehicle, make sure to agree on a rate with the driver before starting the trip to avoid being overcharged.

If you love doing beach activities and trying out new adrenaline sports, know that you can go parasailing and jet skiing on Patong Beach. Water sports in general are a big thing there, but parasailing and jet skiing seem to be the most popular. You can find operators all along the beach and a parasailing trip or thirty minutes on the jet ski will typically set you back around $70–$80 AUD.
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One thing to know before you sign up is that not all operators on the beach have insurance. If you accidentally damage any equipment and the company doesn’t have insurance, you’re sure to be presented with an inflated bill. All that is to say, make sure you do a bit of research before trying any extreme sport.

Speaking of things to do in Patong, you can also try out diving and snorkelling once you’re there. You can book a diving or snorkelling trip as there are quite a few diving companies in Phuket. To ensure you have a pleasant experience, look for companies with PADI Scuba Diving or PADI Open Water Diving Courses and certifications.
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Guests staying at Club Med Phuket, our staff will help you organise a trip with Phuket’s most experienced divers and instructors.
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Pro tip: Even though you can go diving and snorkelling on Patong Beach, know that the area is often overcrowded, making the conditions less than ideal. Luckily, Phuket has many incredible beaches, like Karon and Maya, perfect for exploring marine life.
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Beach Massage
One staple of Patong Beach is having a massage done while you’re lounging around. While you’re there, you're bound to come across many polite female massagers, offering a foot, head, or full body massage. You can also choose whether you want a traditional Thai massage, and pick between oil or aloe vera.
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Guests of Club Med Phuket also have access to the Club Med Spa by Payot. In addition to massages, the spa offers facial treatments and tailored treatments lasting between two and six hours.

The Patong nightlife scene is probably unlike anything you’ve seen before. If you love partying, bar hopping, and enjoying delicious drinks, it’s probably one of the best things to do in Patong.
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Patong is known as the party capital of Phuket and here, you can party from dusk till dawn. The nightlife there is world-famous and almost notorious at this point.
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Most go-go bars, strip clubs, pubs, and discos are located in one single street in Patong – Bangla Walking Street.
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Located near the Jungceylong Shopping Mall, Bangla Road is a 400-meter-long street that’s closed off for bikes and cars. Not only is it easily accessible, but you can hear and see the bustling nightlife as soon as you step on.
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In addition to all the bars, you’re also going to find many street performers and dancers doing shows in between crowds. But if you prefer going inside for a drink, you’ll have your pick of venues. Nightclubs, party complexes, cabaret shows, discos, and more – Bangla Walking Street has something for everyone.

If you’re not a big partygoer or night owl, but you still want to do something fun, you’re in luck because there are tons of shopping opportunities waiting for you in Patong. The streets there are packed with shops, malls, and night markets, selling all kinds of stuff and something for every budget.
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Jungceylon Shopping Mall
The Jungceylon Shopping Mall is the biggest one in Phuket, located just opposite the Bangla Walking Street. It’s pretty easy to spot as it’s in the town centre and has a huge department store called Robinson.
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The Mall is stocked with everything you might need, from a huge supermarket to over 200 shops featuring both international and local brands. In addition to clothes, toys, and electronics, the Jungceylon Shopping Mall also houses over 20 restaurants, pubs, and cafes. You can even find cinemas, arcades, and a bowling alley inside. It’s the perfect spot to do a bit of shopping or for when you’re not up for a day on the beach.
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Banana Walk Shopping Mall
Banana Walk Shopping Mall, opened only a few years ago, has become quite the attraction in Patong. It has a contemporary and eco-design, located right along Beach Road, which runs along Patong Beach.
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The Banana Walk Mall is another great place to head to when you need a break from the beach or want to pick up some souvenirs. Once you’re there, you’ll find floors of shops, bars, restaurants, spas, and even a mini golf course on the roof. The restaurants there, like the ones in Jungceylon Mall, serve food from around the world, along with many Thai delicacies.
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Banzaan Market
A typical Thai fresh market, Banzaan Market in Patong is organized and inside a well-maintained building with escalators. There, you can find everything from fresh vegetables, tropical fruits, meat, flowers, toys, and souvenirs.
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Just like the Jungceylon and Banana Walk shopping malls, the Banzaan Market also has a lovely food court that mostly serves delicious Thai food and drinks. You can easily find the market as it’s located right behind the Jungceylong Mall, on Sai Kor Road.
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Malin Plaza Patong Night Market
A popular night market in Patong, the Malin Plaza is where you’ll find knickknacks, souvenirs, clothes, and much more. It’s also the place for great Thai street food for a low price.
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The partially covered market has most of the stalls in shipping containers, with some even having air conditioning.
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OTOP Night Market
The One Tambon One Product or OTOP Night Market is where local village communities produce and sell locally made handicrafts and foods distinct to each subdistrict of Thailand. Originally, the idea behind OTOP was to only feature traditional Thai crafts, like silk, pottery, wood carvings, and other products. Unfortunately, it quickly became flooded with low-quality products, many of which you’ll still see there.

If shopping in Patong isn’t your cup of tea, you could always find a Thai Boxing or Muay Thai fight. Being the national sport of Thailand, seeing a fight is considered a big part of truly experiencing the culture.
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The art of Muay Thai dates back hundreds of years and there is even evidence it was one of the eight disciplines men had to master back in the 13th century. Called the “art of eight limbs” Muay Thai is a discipline in which fighters use their hands, elbows, knees, and shins.
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There are two places you can go to watch a great Muay Thai Boxing match – the Patong Boxing Stadium and the Bangla Boxing Stadium.
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Try out Ziplining or Jungle Canopy Walkway
Thanks to its unique geography, Patong is a great place to try out ziplining or a jungle canopy walkway. One of the best ways to experience Phuket’s rainforest is by ziplining among the treetops at the Flying Hanuman. But before you head onto the wild, remember to pack lots of mosquito repellent and sunscreen.

In addition to Patong Beach, Phuket offers a variety of incredible beaches, all offering something beautiful and unique.
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Freedom Beach is the most popular in the area and one of the top places to unwind and take in the incredible Thai scenery. The best time to visit Patong and Freedom Beach is between November and early April when the temperatures range from 29°C to 34°C.

Just north of Patong Beach is Kalim Beach, which has a more relaxed and local vibe. There, you can find a small market and parking lot. However, keep in mind that it’s rocky and not ideal for swimming at low tide. On the other hand, if you’re into surfing, Kalim Beach is one of the best spots in all of Phuket for it.

Located in the south of Patong Beach, you’ll find Tri Trang Beach, which is 500 meters long and quite peaceful. It’s become popular over the years due to its proximity to hotels in Patong Beach. However, if you plan on going to Tri Trang, make sure to bring your reef-safe sunscreen as there aren’t any palm trees there.

As the most popular beach town in Phuket, Patong has more shopping centres, bars, restaurants, and shows than others combined. If you choose Patong Beach, you’ll have a huge variety of boutiques, shops, and accommodations to choose from.
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Even though the amenities are a plus, keep in mind it’s for that reason that the beach itself can sometimes get overcrowded. If you’re looking for calm and serenity, Patong Beach might not be your cup of tea.
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Whether you’re looking for the best place to stay in Phuket or want to experience luxurious, all-inclusive service – book Club Med Phuket today! In addition to our vicinity to the many beaches of Phuket, we also offer amenities, services, and activities that you won’t find anywhere else.
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Book now and see why thousands of travellers have decided to explore the Land of a Thousand Smiles with Club Med.