Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [573]
If you’re looking to mix things up a bit (and are too lazy to head down to Patong), try Jackie O ( Map; 08 9474 0431; 6pm-1am) at the entrance of Laguna Phuket, which serves up live rock acts three nights a week, or swig a martini at Liquid Lounge ( Map; 08 1537 2018; 4pm-1am), Surin’s resident jazz lounge.
PATONG
A walk around Patong at night is an entertaining experience in itself. Th Bangla is the centre of the action, with loud techno music blaring out of exhausted sound systems while go-go girls shake it till they make it (and ladyboys fake it till they make it) on beer-slicked tabletops. Thai boxing matches and ladyboy cabarets draw in a lot of tourists. To learn more about ladyboys, see the boxed text on Click here.
Club Lime ( Map; 08 5798 1850; www.clublime.info; 10pm-2am) A new hot spot gaining steam, this place attracts the beautiful people and a rotating roster of Thai and international DJs.
La Salsa ( Map; 0 7634 0138; admission 500B; 10pm-4am) Located beside the Impiana Resort, this is another of Patong’s hot spots. Take a break from the dance floor and try the designer cocktails and tapas treats.
Seduction ( Map; 39/1 Th Bangla; admission 500B; 10pm-4am) Patong’s newest and most popular dance hall comes courtesy of a Finnish club impresario. Known for buying up the best clubs in Helsinki, he opened this one in 2006 and has since attracted international party people dancing to well-known global DJs.
Rock City ( Map; Th Kalim Beach Rd) The giant guitar out front makes it look like a Hard Rock wannabe; the inside is far less wholesome. This dark den keeps the faded glory of old rock groups alive.
Phuket Simon Cabaret (off Map; 0 7634 2011; www.phuket-simoncabaret.com; admission 550B) About 300m south of town on Th Sirirach, this cabaret offers entertaining transvestite shows. The 600-seat theatre is grand, the costumes are gorgeous and the ladyboys are convincing. It’s often a full house. Performances are at 7.30pm and 9.30pm nightly – book ahead.
Sphinx Theatre ( Map; 0 7634 1500; 120 Th Rat Uthit; admission 350B) There’s more cabaret on offer at the Sphinx, where shows kick off at 9pm and 10.30pm nightly.
Bangla Boxing Stadium ( Map; 0 7275 6364; Th Bangla; admission 1000B) Boxing bouts are held nightly at 8pm.
Train Thai Boxing ( Map; 0 7629 2890; Soi Kepsap; 8am-9pm) Watch a riveting round of boxing battling or learn a few moves of your own at Train Thai Boxing, where a 90-minute lesson costs 300B and a blow to your ego (and ribcage).
Phuket Town
Head to skinny soi Rommani for a good mix of the town’s top chill-out spots.
Paradise Cinemas ( Map; 0 7622 0174; Th Tilok Uthit; tickets 80B) For those addicted to celluloid, Paradise plays English-language blockbusters.
Boxing Stadium ( Map; tickets 500-1000B) Thai boxing can be seen Tuesday and Friday nights at 8pm. Ticket prices vary depending on where you sit and include one-way transport. The stadium is at the southern edge of town near the pier; a túk-túk (pronounced úk dúk; motorised transport) costs 70B. Get your tickets at the On On Hotel ( Click here).
Getting There & Away
AIR
Phuket International Airport is situated at the northwest end of the island, 30km from Phuket Town. It takes around 45 minutes to an hour to reach the southern beaches from here, and you could wait over an hour for the mythic metered taxis, which supposedly exist but are quite rare. The best bet is to hire a private car; alternatively, pay 120B and hop in a minivan destined for Phuket’s Old Town, or 180B if you’re headed to Patong, Karon or Kata. The minivans only leave when they have 10 passengers, so you may have to wait.
Thai Airways International (THAI; Map; 0 7621 1195; www.thaiairways.com;