The dry season
December to March by the municipality's count, and November to April for the sea: calm, clear water, every water sport running and the longtails to Freedom Beach. The busiest and dearest months of the year.
Patong
District
Bangla Road's nightlife, two malls, night markets and the island's widest choice of hotels around one long bay, with quiet coves and viewpoints at either end.
Patong in photographs
Patong. Patong.
- Nightlife
- Bangla Road, the island's nightlife street
- Food
- Night markets and street food
- Walking
- Beach, malls and markets on foot
- Views
- Lookouts on the hills above the bay
- Facilities
- A 24-hour public hospital in town
About Patong
Patong is a town municipality of 16.4 km² in Kathu district, on Phuket's west coast, about 16 km from Phuket Town. Its beach runs for about 3 km between Kamala and Karon, and the municipality counts seven communities, among them Ban Kalim, Ban Sai Nam Yen, Ban Na Nai and Hat Patong. It borders Kamala and Kathu to the north, Kathu to the east and Karon to the south.
The town sits in a bowl: hills of 200 to 400 m curve around the bay on three sides like an amphitheatre, and only the flat strip behind the beach, 1 to 30 m above the sea, is built up densely. Rain from the hills gathers in the low ground behind the sand before draining into the bay. The roads in and out climb over those hills, to Kathu, Kamala and Karon.
Patong grew from a sanitary district of 1986 into a town municipality in 2002, carried by tourism. Today it is the island's nightlife and shopping centre: Bangla Road, Jungceylon and Central Patong, night markets and hotels in every price range, all within walking distance. North of the centre, Kalim is quieter, with restaurants over the bay; to the south, a headland road leads to the coves of Tri Trang, Paradise and Freedom.
What is good about Patong
Bangla Road
The walking street closes to traffic every evening from 18:00 and fills with bars, clubs, live music and shows; it is the loudest part of the island until the small hours.
Markets every evening
Banzaan's fresh market behind Jungceylon is a food court by night; Malin Plaza at the south end, the OTOP market on Rat-U-Thit Road and Bangla's seafood market add stalls until midnight or later.
A town you can walk
The beach, Bangla Road, both malls and the markets lie within a few blocks of each other; a guide calls Patong the one part of Phuket where you barely need to drive.
Viewpoints above the bay
Radar Hill and Kalim Viewpoint, up small roads on the hills, look over the whole bay and the town below.
Hospital, malls and supermarkets
Patong Hospital on Sainamyen Road runs a 24-hour emergency department and a hyperbaric unit for divers; Big C, Tops and a Makro food-service store cover daily shopping.
Water sports in season
Parasailing, jet skis and boat trips run off the beach; an artificial surf wave at Surf House works all year.
Things to do at Patong
Patong. Patong. Patong.
Nightlife
Bangla Road after dark
The walking street from the beach to Jungceylon: bars, clubs, live music and go-go bars, closed to traffic from 18:00.
Shopping
Jungceylon
Patong's main mall, with a lagoon and fountains, a Robinson store, a Big C, a cinema and a Thai food court; open daily 11:00 to 22:00.
Shopping
Central Patong
A quieter department-store mall across the road from Jungceylon, with the Tops Food Hall supermarket in the basement; open daily 10:30 to 23:00.
Food and drink
Banzaan fresh market
Fruit, vegetables, meat and fish in the morning, from 06:00; in the evening the streets around it turn into a big street-food market.
Food and drink
Malin Plaza
An open-air market at the south end: food stalls around shared tables, several halal, then clothes and souvenirs at the back; daily 11:00 to 23:00.
Food and drink
Bangla's seafood market
Grilled seafood picked live from the tanks, pad thai, satay and mango sticky rice at the inland end of Soi Bangla, 18:00 to 02:00.
Shopping
OTOP market
Covered bazaars of clothes, bags and trainers on Rat-U-Thit Road from 10:00, and a street-food court with beer bars from 17:00 to midnight.
Nature · dry season
Radar Hill
A lookout by a radar station above the town, with a wide view of Patong Bay; a small road leads up, then a few steps.
Nature · dry season
Kalim Viewpoint
A deck with a sign on the hill above Kalim Bay, reached by a road that needs some care.
Culture
Wat Suwan Khiri Wong
Patong's temple, a calm break from the beach town: an ordination hall, a bell tower and a shrine with a replica of the Buddha's footprint. Free; cover shoulders and knees.
Surfing · monsoon months
Surf the reef at Kalim
In the low season the reef at Kalim, at the north end, gets surf at high tide; it is sharp and better left to surfers who know reefs.
Family
Surf House
An artificial wave where children and beginners can try surfing safely, with a bar and DJ nights for adults.
Boat trips · dry season
Longtail to Freedom Beach
About 10 minutes by longtail from the pontoon at the south end, mainly December to May; check first that the beach has reopened.
Water sports · dry season
Parasailing and jet skis
Parasailing costs about 1,500 THB for adults and 1,200 THB for children; jet skis 1,500 to 2,500 THB for 30 minutes, open to bargaining.
A day at Patong
Banzaan's fresh market opens at 06:00: fruit, coffee and Thai breakfast before the town wakes up. Banzaan Fresh Market
The northern end of the beach has the softest sand and the clearest water; the lifeguards' flags show where to swim.
Jungceylon's food court and shops, or Central Patong across the road, for the hottest hours. Jungceylon
Wat Suwan Khiri Wong, then up to Radar Hill for the view over the whole bay. Radar Hill
Walk 20 minutes north along the shore to Kalim, where food cars park along the seafront in the late afternoon. Kalim seafront street food
Grilled seafood at Bangla's market or the halal stalls of Malin Plaza. Malin Plaza
The walking street at its busiest, with bars, clubs and live music until late. Bangla Road
Places in Patong
Our picks
Bangla Road
Landmark · Patong BeachPatong's nightlife street, about 400 metres from Beach Road to Rat-U-Thit Road, and the centre of Phuket's nightlife for decades.
Jungceylon
Shopping mall · Patong BeachPatong's big shopping mall, a few minutes' walk from Bangla Road, which the guide still calls the largest mall on the island.
Central Patong
Shopping mall · Patong BeachA department-store mall across the road from Jungceylon in Patong, two minutes' walk from Bangla Road.
Banzaan Fresh Market
Fresh market · Patong BeachPatong's fresh market on Sai Kor Road behind Jungceylon, clean and bright; "banzaan" is Hokkien for fresh market. In the evening the area around it becomes a night market of street food.
Malin Plaza
Night market · Patong BeachAn open-air market at the southern end of Patong Beach, on Prachanukhro Road.
Bangla Night Market
Street food market · Patong BeachA street-food market at the inland end of Soi Bangla in Patong, about 140 metres from Jungceylon.
OTOP Market Patong
Night market · Patong BeachA large open-air market on Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong's second road; named after the One Tambon One Product scheme, it is now a shopping market, an evening street-food court and a large beer-bar area.
Night Market Patong
Street food market · Patong BeachA small covered market in central Patong for cheap Thai street food and seafood.
Kalim seafront street food
Street food market · Kalim BeachStreet-food stalls and cars selling dishes along the seafront of Kalim Beach, just north of Patong, at the end of each afternoon.
Radar Hill
ViewpointA little-visited lookout high above Patong Beach by a radar station, with one of the widest views over Patong.
Kalim Viewpoint
ViewpointA lookout high in the hills above Kalim Bay, reached by a road that is only partly easy to drive.
Wat Suwan Khiri Wong (Wat Patong)
Buddhist templeA Buddhist temple in Patong.
Phuket Surf House
Surf school · Patong BeachAn artificial wave on Patong's beach road near Bangla Road: no more than 20 cm of clear water rushes over an inflated rubber curve — a soft cousin of wakeboarding rather than real surfing.- No photograph yet
Longtail pontoon to Freedom Beach
Patong BeachA long floating pontoon at the south end of Patong Beach where longtail boats take visitors to Freedom Beach, about 10 minutes away, in the high season; boats from about 750 THB. 
Patong Hospital
Hospital · Patong BeachThe only public hospital in Patong, on Sainamyen Road, and one that sees many tourists.- No photograph yet
Tops Food Hall Patong
Supermarket · Patong BeachA Tops supermarket in the basement of Central Patong. - No photograph yet
Big C Extra Phuket 2 (Patong)
Hypermarket · Patong BeachA two-storey Big C inside Jungceylon in Patong, in the mall's Botanica zone next to Robinson. 
Makro Food Service Patong
Wholesale store · Patong BeachA Makro Food Service store on Nanai Road in Patong; The Thaiger says the first Food Service store in Phuket opened in Patong in 2017.
SIAM Phuket Seafood Restaurant
Seafood restaurant · Patong BeachA small shophouse seafood restaurant on Thaweewong (Beach) Road in Patong, next to the DoubleTree Banthai, a few minutes' walk south of Bangla Road.
Malika Sky Bar
Rooftop bar · Kalim BeachThe open-air sky bar on the sixth floor of the Kalima Resort, between Patong and Kamala, with a 180-degree view of the Andaman Sea.
Beach clubs
Barra Cuda Beach Club
Beach club · Patong BeachA large beach club on the sand at Patong, next to the Impiana hotel, a short walk from Bangla Road.
Endless Summer Beach Club
Beach club · Patong BeachThe beach club of the Courtyard by Marriott at the south end of Patong, across the road from the sand with a sea view.
FUGA Beach Club
Beach club · Patong BeachA beach club at the quiet northern end of Patong Beach, below the Novotel, with a terrace raised above the sand.
KUDO Beach Club
Beach club · Patong BeachA party beach club with a hotel in the middle of Patong Beach, a short walk from Bangla Road.
Paradise Beach
Beach club · Paradise BeachA privately run beach 4 km south of Patong, past Tri Trang: two small sandy bays with bars, restaurants and loungers behind an entry fee.
Bars
Pitbull Bar
Bar · Tri Trang BeachA small bar and restaurant next to Tri Trang Beach, the first of a group at the bottom of the hill, its entrance hidden under a tree.
Restaurants
Acqua
Fine dining · Kalim BeachChef Alessandro Frau's Italian restaurant on Phra Barami Road at Kalim, just north of Patong, listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Beast & Butterflies
Restaurant · Patong BeachThe restaurant and bar of M Social Hotel Phuket, the hotel built into the Jungceylon centre on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Road in Patong; breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Big Boys' Burger Club
Restaurant · Patong BeachA burger restaurant in a walking alley off Patong's beach road, run by a young team.
Bincho Izakaya
Restaurant · Patong BeachA Japanese izakaya in M Social Hotel Phuket, the hotel built into the Jungceylon centre in Patong, on its livelier Afterglow wing towards Bangla Road.
Brasserie C'est la Vie
Restaurant · Patong BeachAn open-fronted bistro at BYD Lofts on Patong's beach road, serving European comfort food and a full Thai menu from 7 am to midnight.
Briley Chicken Rice
Local eatery · Patong BeachA chicken-rice shop in Patong, open for more than twenty years, one of the two famous chicken-rice restaurants of Phuket.
Cafés
Baan coffee
CaféA quiet café with plants in its room and windows onto the jungle.
Bé Hoa Cafe & Restaurant
Café · Patong BeachA café-restaurant on Prachanukhro Road in Patong, cooking Thai, Isaan and Vietnamese dishes.
Blue Harbour Coffee
Café · Tri Trang BeachA small café built into the steep hillside above Tri Trang Beach, on the road to Paradise Beach, facing Patong Bay.
Cafe Phuket Viewpoint
Café · Kalim BeachA sunset café on terraces built into the rocky hillside above the sea, on a blind curve of the Patong–Kamala road.
Coconut Heaven
Café · Tri Trang BeachA family-run viewpoint café on Muen-Ngern Road, which climbs from Tri Trang Beach towards Paradise Beach south of Patong.
Kan's Haus Cafe and Bistro
Café · Patong BeachA café on Patong's beach road that opens through to a covered terrace on the sand and runs as a beach bar until late.
Shops
Sevenstar Ministore
Grocer · Patong BeachAn Indian mini-mart in Patong.- No photograph yet
The Kosher Shop Patong
Grocer · Patong BeachA kosher grocery in Patong run by Chabad of Phuket.
Health
Clinic Bodrum Phuket (Patong)
Clinic · Patong BeachA private clinic in Patong for urgent travel-related problems and planned care.
JBB4 Pharmacy
Pharmacy · Patong BeachA pharmacy on Thaweewong Road in Patong that Google Maps shows as open 24 hours.
Lovecare Pharmacy
Pharmacy · Patong BeachA pharmacy on Rat Uthit Road in Patong that Google Maps shows as open 24 hours.
Medical Pharma
Pharmacy · Patong BeachA drugstore in Patong that Google Maps files as a wholesale drugstore and shows as open 24 hours.
New Smile Dentists
Dental clinic · Patong BeachA dental clinic in Patong near the Patong Merlin Hotel, formerly Promjai Dental Clinic.
Phuket Dental Plus Clinic
Dental clinic · Patong BeachA dental clinic in the centre of Patong whose dentists are certified by the Dental Council of Thailand.
Transport
- No photograph yet
Paradise Beach car park and shuttle
Freedom BeachThe large car park at the top of the road to Paradise Beach, for more than twenty cars and many bikes, with a free shuttle down to the sand.
Work
- No photograph yet
The Grid
Coliving · Patong BeachThe hybrid co-working lounge of the Radisson RED Phuket Patong Beach hotel, sold from an hour to a year to anyone.
Kids
Erawan Patong Seaview Zipline
Adventure park · Kalim BeachA zip-line park in the hills above Patong with sea views.- No photograph yet
Froggy's Fun Park
Indoor playground · Patong BeachAn indoor amusement park on the third floor of Jungceylon in Patong, the largest in Phuket by phuket101's account. 
Kidzoona Jungceylon
Indoor playground · Patong BeachAn indoor playground in Patong, at the Robinson end of Jungceylon: over 1,100 m² of soft floors and air-conditioning for small children.
PowerDrive Go-Kart
Family attraction · Patong BeachAn indoor electric go-kart track on the third floor of the Jungle Building at Jungceylon in Patong, opened after the mall's 2024 renovation.
Muay Thai
Bangla Boxing Stadium
Boxing stadium · Patong BeachPatong's Muay Thai stadium with fights every night, in a white building behind Jungceylon; it opened on Bangla Road in April 2004 and later moved here.- No photograph yet
Chanrit Muay Thai Gym
Muay Thai camp · Patong BeachA traditional Muay Thai gym in Patong. - No photograph yet
Muay Thai Patong – My Gym
Muay Thai camp · Patong BeachA martial-arts gym in Patong teaching Muay Thai, boxing, MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. 
Patong Boxing Stadium
Boxing stadium · Patong BeachA Muay Thai stadium on Sai Nam Yen Road in Patong with fight nights six days a week; it also runs training sessions with active fighters and has a gear shop.
Patong Thai Boxing Gym
Muay Thai camp · Patong BeachA large Thai boxing gym in Patong.
Petchnumnoi Gym
Muay Thai camp · Patong BeachOne of the oldest Muay Thai clubs, a traditional Thai gym in Patong; rebranded in 2025.
Gyms
Fitness Hero Phuket
Gym · Patong BeachThe only official Hammer Strength gym in Patong: 1,500 m² on two air-conditioned levels inside Banana Walk, on the beachfront.
Maximum Fitness Phuket
Gym · Patong BeachThe largest gym in Patong: a 1,600 m² floor with Hammer Strength and Matrix machines, dumbbells up to 70 kg, Smith machines, cable crossovers and an Olympic lifting area.
Yoga
Anantra Yoga
Yoga studioA yoga studio in Patong, on Pisitkoranee Road, with classes focused on technique and breathwork.
Padel and tennis
- No photograph yet
Sensei Padel Phuket
Padel courts · Patong BeachA padel club in Patong with four outdoor courts among tropical greenery.
Water sports
Baan Andaman Sea & Surf School
Surf school · Patong BeachA surf school at the north end of Patong Beach, where the waves are gentler for learning, with ISA-certified instructors and small groups.
Sports
Patong Football Club
Football pitch · Patong BeachA football complex in Patong built around artificial-turf pitches for games and training.
- The zone
- A home and its rent
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
Buddhist temple
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Beach club
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Rooftop bar
Bar
Seafood restaurant
Fine dining
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Local eatery
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Seafood restaurant
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Fine dining
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Seafood restaurant
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Fine dining
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Café
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Shopping mall
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Supermarket
Hypermarket
Wholesale store
Grocer
Grocer
Fresh market
Night market
Street food market
Night market
Street food market
Street food market
Hospital
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Dental clinic
Dental clinic
Dental clinic
Pharmacy
Dental clinic
Coliving
Adventure park
Indoor playground
Indoor playground
Family attraction
Boxing stadium
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Boxing stadium
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Yoga studio
Padel courts
Surf school
Surf school
Landmark
Football pitch
Homes in Patong
Budget hotels on the side streets, big resorts along Beach Road, condos and serviced apartments, and hillside hotels and villas with bay views. Condos asked about 20,000 to 22,000 THB a month for a studio and 25,000 to 45,000 THB for one bedroom (October 2026).
40 homes for rent in PatongPatong through the year
The monsoon months
April to November: rain from the southwest monsoon. From May to October the sea is often too rough and swimming is closed for days; the town stays busy, and the malls and markets fill the rainy hours.
Patong with children
Many families stay in Patong for its hotels, shops and easy day trips, but the town needs choosing well: book at the quieter north end or on the hillside, away from Bangla Road, and swim in the lifeguards' zones away from the jet skis.
- The north end has softer sand, cleaner water and more shade.
- Jungceylon and Central Patong are the escape from heat and rain.
- Surf House lets children try an artificial wave safely.
- Patong Hospital's emergency department is open 24 hours.
- Bangla Road at night is no place for children.
Getting to Patong and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 45–60 min
- From Phuket Town
- 25–40 min
Patong is 37 km from the airport, 45 to 60 minutes by road, and about 16 km from Phuket Town over the hill. The Smart Bus links it to the airport and to Bus Terminal 1 in town, and blue buses run from Ranong Market.
- The Smart Bus. Route 1 (airport to Rawai) stops at Jungceylon coming from the airport and at the start of Bangla Road going back: 100 THB, hourly from 08:15 to 23:30 (2026).
- The Smart Bus. Route 2 runs hourly from Bus Terminal 1 in Phuket Town to Patong Beach, 06:00 to 20:00, for 50 THB (2026).
- Songthaew. Blue buses leave Ranong Market in Phuket Town about every 30 minutes, 06:00 to 18:00, for 30 THB; allow 50 to 60 minutes (2026).
- Grab and taxis. Grab and Bolt work in Patong and usually cost less than tuk-tuks; agree a tuk-tuk fare before you get in.
- On foot. The beach, Bangla Road, both malls and the markets are within a few blocks; Kalim is about 20 minutes on foot along the shore.
- By scooter. Handy for the coves and viewpoints; the hill roads to Kathu, Kamala and Karon are steep and winding.
Parking. Parking is hard in the centre, even for scooters; the north end has more space, and Central Patong has an underground car park.
Who will love Patong, and who will not
Will love it
- Night owls: Bangla Road, clubs and live music every night of the year.
- First visits: beach, shopping, day trips and nightlife all within walking distance.
- Groups of friends: the island's widest choice of hotels, bars and restaurants.
- Surfers: Kalim's reef in the low season and an artificial wave all year.
Will not
- Peace and quiet: the centre is crowded and noisy, above all in the high season.
- Romantic escapes: a quieter cove or another beach suits better.
- Most long-stayers: many expats prefer to visit Patong and live somewhere calmer nearby.
Tips for Patong
Sleep away from Bangla
Rooms next to the walking street are noisy; book at the north or south end or on the hillside if you want to sleep.
Agree tuk-tuk fares first
Prices vary by driver; settle the fare before you get in, or use Grab or Bolt.
Learn the tsunami signs
Patong's streets carry Tsunami Evacuation Route signs; if a warning sounds, head inland or to high ground at least 15 m up.
Pay the Smart Bus by card
It takes cash, a PromptPay QR code, a contactless Visa or Mastercard or a Rabbit card; children under 7 ride free with a passport.
Blue buses stop at 18:00
The last blue bus to Phuket Town leaves around 18:00; after that, take the Smart Bus or a car.
Check Freedom Beach first
It was closed to visitors in August 2026 and reopens when the sea allows; ask before paying for a longtail.
Keep Paradise's drink voucher
The 200 THB entry to Paradise Beach includes a drink at one of its bars.
Cover up at the temple
Wat Suwan Khiri Wong is free, but shoulders and knees must be covered.
Go to Banzaan early
The fresh market is at its best in the morning; the food stalls take over in the evening.
Recently changed
- July 2026
The Kathu–Patong expressway, just under 4 km with a 1.85 km tunnel and tolls of 20 THB a car, was set to return to the Cabinet in late 2026; opening is expected around 2031.
- August 2026
Freedom Beach, reached from Patong by longtail or trail, was temporarily closed to visitors; reopening depends on the sea and weather.
Questions about Patong
Is Patong just Bangla Road?
No. Bangla Road is a few hundred metres of the town. Patong also has a 3 km beach, two malls, fresh and night markets, a temple, viewpoints on the hills and, at its ends, quieter Kalim and the coves of Tri Trang, Paradise and Freedom.
Where should families stay in Patong?
At the north end, around Kalim, or on the hillside, away from Bangla Road. The north end of the beach has softer sand, clearer water and more shade, and the malls are a short ride away.
How do I get from the airport to Patong?
Smart Bus route 1 stops at Jungceylon on its way from the airport to Rawai, for 100 THB, hourly from 08:15 to 23:30. A taxi or a ride-hailing car takes 45 to 60 minutes.
How do I get from Phuket Town to Patong?
Smart Bus route 2 runs hourly from Bus Terminal 1, 06:00 to 20:00, for 50 THB. Blue buses leave Ranong Market about every 30 minutes, 06:00 to 18:00, for 30 THB.
Can you swim in Patong in the rainy season?
Often not. From May to October the southwest monsoon makes the sea rough, and swimming is closed on many days; watch the lifeguards' flags. From November to April the water is calm and clear.
Which beaches belong to Patong?
Besides Patong itself: Kalim to the north, and Tri Trang, Paradise, Freedom and Karon Noi on the headland to the south. Each has a page of its own.
How much is a condo in Patong?
In October 2026 listings asked about 20,000 to 22,000 THB a month for a studio, 25,000 to 45,000 THB for one bedroom and 30,000 to 60,000 THB for two. A planning guide gives 15,000 to 35,000 THB for a one-bedroom.
When will the Kathu–Patong tunnel open?
Not before about 2031. The expressway section, just under 4 km with a 1.85 km tunnel, was due back at the Cabinet in late 2026, with building to start in 2027 if approved.