Patong Beach (Thai หาดป่าตอง) refers to the
beach and town on Phuket's west coast. It is the main tourist resort in Phuket,
and contains an important center of Phuket's nightlife and inexpensive
shopping. The beach became popular with Western tourists, especially Europeans,
in the late 1980s. Numerous hotels are located there and the area has expanded
into a large tourist mecca.
History
Patong Beach is famous for its nightlife and 3.5 kilometres (2.2
mi) beach that runs the entire length of Patong’s western side. Nightlife is
centered on two main areas Bangla Road and 'Paradise Complex', with Bangla Road
being predominantly straight and Paradise Complex gay. Both roads are lined
with many bars, discotheques and go go bars. Prostitution in Thailand is
illegal but tolerated as is the case with Patong Beach, especially on Bangla
Road where there are many older Western men drinking with young Thai women and
transvestites. Most discos in Patong charge a 100 baht admission fee but rather
than being a cover charge, this is actually a drink minimum since you get a voucher
and most clubs charge 100 baht for almost all drinks.
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 the2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The wave caused a great deal of destruction
to the waterfront of the beach and immediately inland and many people were
killed. Patong was one of the worst affected areas of Phuket, although the
destruction was not as bad as nearby Khao Lak. Patong has largely recovered
since the tsunami.
Patong's pulsating
nightlife never fails to attract curious visitors every evening. Like a magnet,
it's hard to resist a wander down Soi Bangla - the heart of bar scene where
girls, neon lights and deafening music compete for your attention. Over a
hundred bars ranging from beer bars (girlie bars), Go-Go bars, nightclubs, pubs
are condensed into the small action packed area fondly known as
"Bangla" where the only priority is to have a good time.
