Patong--Phuket

I heard about the notorious traffic conditions in Phuket but I was still shocked by a one hour ride from the pier to Patong Beach (purchased the ticket at 100Baht/person on the boat to Phuket since the price from agencies in Ko Phi Phi is double). I couldn’t help wondering where the beach was when the car dropped us off in front of the Deevana hotel which is located in a back street away from the bustling Rat Uthit road. The hotel provides a free shuttle bus daily departing at 10:00 from the hotel to the beach (about 15min walking distance) and at 16:00 the other way around.

Restaurants, souvenir shops, hotels, nightclubs, and of course the famous transvestites are all concentrated in this area. Thai boxing stadiums launch their best propaganda by sending out boxers to warm up on top of mini trucks cruising down the streets. Transvestites dress extravagantly solicit in the street of the Simon Cabaret. Water activities are thriving on Patong beach. The queue for banana boats, water jets and para-sailing along with parasols make the beach over crowded 3 dimensionally. Unless you are staying in a five stars hotel such as trisara which owns a private beach otherwise Phuket (Patong Beach) is a center for actions but not for relaxation.

Being a tourist attraction, it’s surprising that there is no public transportation in Phuket. Options for moving around are cabs, tuk-tuks, mini buses run by travel agencies or renting a car/bike which is not recommended for a long distance travel. The last mini bus departing from Patong to the airport leaves at 18:00, you can buy the ticket from any travel agency and the bus will pick you up at your hotel.