Patong
If there is one city that is very often associated with the island of Phuket, it would have to be Patong. It is the island’s second largest city and the number one tourist destination each year. This resort city is built alongside a 3.5 kilometers beach on the western side of the island, bordered by the city of Karon Beach in the south and Kamala in the north. It was made famous thanks to its red light and entertainment district; Bangla Road.
The biggest advantage of Patong is to have everything you may need in one place, whereas other cities in Phuket may require you to take a taxi to navigate to the closest shopping mall. International hotel chains are plenty and allow you to find affordable accommodations during your stay. As with the rest of the island, December to April is considered high-season and therefore, the price is much higher than it is during the rest of the year.
Foodies won’t be disappointed as the city offers plenty of restaurants and international eateries that are often gathered in different neighborhoods. As it is often the case with touristic destinations, bear in mind that while some restaurants are really worth a visit, some others may try to rip you off charging you overpriced service for example.
Shopping fans will be thrilled at Jungceylon, Phuket’s second largest shopping mall after Central Festival in Phuket Town. Plenty of local and international brands are available and tourists will enjoy a VAT refund on most items they buy there. If big, luxurious shopping malls aren’t your thing, you can find several smaller markets in the same area, some of them open quite late.
But primarily, Patong is all about entertainment, with world-class nightclubs and shows available, mainly on Bangla Road. There, you will also find the famous go-go shows and hundreds of bars, all trying to beat the competition by offering the same discount all year around.
