Pa Tong

The best time is from November to April, when the sea is calmer and skies are mostly clear. From May to October the monsoon brings rain, waves and strong currents. Swimming can be unsafe then, and red flags often fly on the beach.

December and January are the busiest months, so book early.

• Patong Beach is the long main beach, lined with sun beds, water sports and snack stalls. Check the flags before you swim.
• Bangla Road is the famous nightlife street, with bars, clubs and street performers. It is busy and loud after dark.
• Jungceylon is a large shopping and entertainment complex in the center of town.
• Banzaan Night Market is a night market with food, souvenirs and clothes.
• Banzaan Fresh Market is a local fresh market where you can see everyday Patong life.
• Wat Suwan Khiri Wong is a temple on the hills above town, a calm break from the beach.

• Beach day: Rent a sun bed and swim on calm days in the dry season.
• Water sports: Try parasailing, banana boats or snorkeling trips on the beach.
• Thai massage: Choose a spa for a long massage after a hot day.
• Night out: Walk Bangla Road in the evening and see the street show.
• Muay Thai: Watch a boxing match at a local stadium.

These trips are listed from closest to farthest.

• Kata and Karon beaches: about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi south. Calmer beaches with a more relaxed feel.
• Phuket Town: about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi. Old shophouses, cafes and markets.
• Chalong and the Big Buddha area: about 40 minutes by taxi. Temples and viewpoints in the south of the island.
• Boat trips to the islands: tours leave from piers around Phuket for Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands.

• Phuket Town is the island's old town.
• Chalong is the main harbor area in the south.
• Phi Phi Islands is a popular island day trip by boat.
• Phang Nga Bay is a bay of limestone islands north of Phuket.

• By air: Phuket International Airport is in the north of the island. A taxi or private transfer to Patong takes about an hour.
• By taxi or minivan: Airport minivans run to Patong. Agree on the price before you start, or book a transfer in advance.
• By bus from Phuket Town: Local buses run from Phuket Town to Patong. They are cheap but slow.
• By boat: Ferries from Krabi and Phi Phi arrive at Phuket piers, not at Patong. Take a taxi from there.

• On foot: The beach road, Bangla Road and the malls are all close, so walking is easy within the center.
• Tuk-tuks and taxis: Common but often expensive. Agree on the price first or use a ride app.
• Songthaews: Cheaper shared trucks run to Phuket Town and other beaches.
• Scooters: Easy to rent, but traffic and hills make them risky.

• Is a car worth it?: Not for Patong itself. Parking is tight and streets are crowded. A car helps for exploring the island.
• Driving side: Traffic drives on the left.
• Roads: Hills and narrow roads between beaches are steep. Drive carefully in rain.
• Scooters: Accidents are common among tourists. Wear a helmet and check your insurance.

Patong has Thai street food, seafood restaurants, and international cafes from many countries. Fresh seafood is a good choice near the beach.

Night markets and small side streets offer cheaper meals than the main road. Southern Thai dishes, such as curries with coconut and chili, are worth trying.

Patong is a busy tourist town, so common sense helps.

• Swimming: Rip currents are strong in the rainy season. Obey the flags and lifeguards.
• Scams and prices: Agree on tuk-tuk, jet-ski and tour prices first. Rent jet skis only from clear, reputable operators.
• Night safety: Watch your drinks and belongings on Bangla Road, and use licensed taxis late at night.
• Scooters: Accidents are common. Do not ride after drinking.
• Drugs: Thai drug laws are strict. Do not carry or use drugs.
• Sun and water: Use sunscreen and drink bottled water.
• Royal family: Do not speak or write badly about the monarchy. It is a serious crime in Thailand.

Patong was a quiet coastal village before tourism arrived. Tourism grew quickly from the 1980s, and the town turned into Phuket's main beach resort. The 2004 tsunami damaged the coast, and the town was rebuilt in the years after.

The hilltop Wat Suwan Khiri Wong reflects the local Buddhist community behind the resort.

Quick practical facts for Thailand at a glance: