Phuket's Night Life

      Patong's nightlife, depending on how you perceive It, can be fun, wild, tasteless and tacky. On Soi Bangla and Soi Sea Dragon there are katoeys (transsexuals) and "extremely friendy women" and the average tourist may feel a little overwhelmed by it all. It's certainly not the place to let your guard down. The amount of sob stories originating in Patong featuring gullible men and guileful women is proof enough. However, there are good discos, friendy pubs and great live music to be enjoyed in Patong.

      Kata still retains a more innocent air, with more family-orientated businesses. In Kata the main drag features every sort of bar and pub. Down, near the beach, there's "Crazy Corner" where lots of glamourously dressed ladies and near-ladies will ask you where you're from and tell you you're "velly han'some" if you're into that sort of thing. Karon's a little raunchier and care should be taken late at night if walking near the beach for this is the main katoey stomping ground.

      Phuket Town's a whole different kettle of fish. It caters for every taste, culinary wise and entertainment wise, and has more of a Thai flavour.

      By night, Kata Still retains an easy-going seaside atmosphere with cafes, pubs and hawkers all contributing to a cheery splash of colour and noise. Mom Tri's Boathouse, at the south end of Kata Beach, stands out for its fine dining and wine selection, but on the main drag (Thai Na Road) there's everything from Mediterranean to Chinese to British food. At the beach end of this road to the left stands the Crazy Corner, a conglomeration of beer bars, loud music, very fnendly women and almost-women. Not for the family. Definitely for the family, though, is Dino Park, situated on the beach road out towards Karon. Good food, fun mini golf and a regularly "exploding" volcano.

      Nightlife in Karon has a different atmosphere. On the road leading east away from the traffic circle there are turn-offs full of raunchy bars frequented by equally raunchy punters and katoeys (transsexuals). it's all a bit like a toned-down Patong - or Patpong, in Bangkok. As for eating out, the choice is similar to Kata, with fine dining available at Central Karon Village (on the road to Patong) and a host of eateries to pick and choose from.

      The Beach Road has a number of open-air bars and tailors with a busy cutthrough road about halfway between Kata and Karon (Luang Pho Chuan Road). To walk the length of the Beach Road late at night is not recommended, as it's the main strutting area of the katoeys, although it's a pleasant early evening stroll.