The Attractions of Patong Beach
Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand, is one of the most popular beach destinations for its natural beauty and a host of activities from adventurous to hedonistic. From an almost inaccessible place a few decades ago, Patong has grown to a tourist’s paradise that visitors from every corner of the globe come to each year for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation.

The white sands of the vibrant Patong Beach spanning 3.5 Kilometers is always bustling with tourists activity. The beautiful turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea if simply serene during the North / East Monsoon time which is the best season for families. The Andaman can get somewhat choppy in Wet Season or the South / West Monsoon Season and can be dangerous as some beaches aren’t patrolled. Tourists every year get dragged out in dangerous rips and never return.

Patong is a destination for tourists all round. Even in low season, it can get surprisingly busy, especially with Australians trying to escape their winter from June through to August when hotel rates can be slashed by as much 80%. With tourists crowding Patong throughout the year, lots of infrastructure has been developed. There are new hotels, resorts, guesthouses, restaurants, bars, discotheques popping up all over the city to cater for the increasing number of tourists. There is so much variety in accommodation for all different budgets and needs whether it be a cheap stay in a $15 guesthouse, or a $300 per night fully self-contained resort.

For beach lovers who stay away from active sports, there are options like sunbathing and Thai massage. There is nothing better than sitting on the beach with a cool cocktail under a sun umbrella while receiving a relaxing one hour foot massage for just a few dollars. The shaded areas of the beach are full of trained massures. Some are offering different types of massage including reflexology. Hundreds of sun loungers and umbrellas are available to rent all along Patong Beach for just 100 baht for the day.

Patong has a huge variety of water sports to offer. There are Jet-Skiing, Wind-surfing, Kayaking, water Skiing, Snorkeling, Hobby-Cats and Banana-Boats. There is also Beach Volleyball and soccer. These games are usually played in the evening hour. Beach Vendors or (Touts / Hawkers) on Patong Beach sell many goodies. Quite a few of them are Thai souvenirs or food ranging from corn on the cob to fried prawns. Bargaining for price is taken for granted though it is done in a friendly ambience.

Body Message
Body Massage Centers both of the erotic and the therapeutic are extremely common and popular for Patong’s wellness seekers. You can also find massuses working their medicinal art atop bamboo carpets on the seaside sands and in many shops dotted around the city. If the spa center that you have entered has a private room, then it’s almost certain that they will provide and offer ‘extra’ services. This can be the highlight for many tourist traveling to Patong as some of the massage girls are young and extremely beautiful.

Shopping in Patong
For visitors who like to go shopping, Patong offers an abundant supply of shops and market places at all hours of the day and night. You can shop for souvenirs or local unique handmade items like jewelry and silk scarves, sarongs etc. Jungceylon Shopping Mall is the most popular venue for shop therapy with over 300 retail shops and computer and mobile phone section on the top floor.

Thai Cooking Classes
For the less adventurous, Thai cooking classes are available in many spots around the city. A lot of them are set up in the resorts so you can take some knowledge home and impress your friends at dinner time.