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Originally a fishing village, currently Patong is Phuket's most developed beach offering virtually every kind of entertainment imaginable. Exuberant nightlife and numerous leisure, sporting, shopping, and recreational options flourish along its three kms of beach. The beer bars cater to every interest and nationality with charming hostesses to entertain, and all play video movies and music so loud that when several are clustered together it can be deafening. There are also massage parlors, travel agencies, car and motorcycle rental agencies, coffee shops, discos, nightclubs, cocktail bars, and virtually every other form of enterprise designed to separate tourists from their baht. For those determined to party until the water buffalo come home there are few better spots than Patong Beach.

Haphazard modern development doesn't take anything away from Patong's delightful natural setting. The beach is lovely and excellent for watersports including sailboarding, parasailing and snorkeling (best at the south end) as well as for relaxation, sunbathing and strolling. Fine accommodation abounds in all categories, from the most exclusive and luxurious hotels to bungalows and guesthouses offering simple facilities.

Eating out in Patong can be a truly international experience. Scandinavian, Italian, German, Swiss, Mexican and French restaurants compete with the usual array of fast food joints. Thai cuisine concentrates on seafood cooked Thai-style, which means very spicy with lots of garlic, lemon grass, chilies, shrimp paste and herbs.

Shopping opportunities appear to be endless. Fine modern jewelry can be found at shops in Patong offering rubies, sapphires, pearls, emeralds and gold pieces. Other shops sell silk, bronze ware, porcelain, ceramics and benjarong pottery.

Patong has a full range of outdoor activities such as yachting, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing and water skiing, horseback and elephant riding, mountain biking, sea canoeing and more.