Travel Channel 

Overview
Patong is one of those places people either love or hate. The biggest beach on Phuket Island and Thailand's premier beach resort, Patong combines a long strip of pristine sand with a beachfront cluster of raging bars, wild nightclubs and wall-to-wall shopping. Some visitors revel in the combination of idyllic surf and exuberant nightlife while others feel the evening scene is too frenetic, thus taking away from the relaxation of a holiday. Phuket Island is large enough to allow visitors to enjoy a few evenings experiencing Patong's nightlife and spend the rest of their time on other beaches around the island.

Getting There
Nearest major international airport: A sizable international airport is on the northern half of Phuket Island. Many Asian and European carriers fly direct to Phuket, but most flights from North America travel through Bangkok.

Airport transportation
Many major hotels have pick-up service at Phuket airport. Alternatively, there are taxis and songtaews (group taxis) at the airport for individual travelers. Renting a car or motorcycle is the best way to see beautiful Phuket, and these services can also be arranged at the airport.

Timing
Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate, so Patong is always hot. However, during the dry season (November through March) the humidity drops significantly and temperatures range from 80 to 85 F, which is somewhat cooler than the rest of the year. The undertow, which can be a problem at times, dissipates during this season.

The end of the rainy season (August and September) is a favorite time for Phuket locals, since the heat becomes more manageable and fewer tourists are on the island. If temperatures near 90 F are manageable, hit Patong at this time and enjoy the beaches without the frenzied high-season atmosphere.

Lodging
Hundreds of places to stay in Patong range from simple guesthouses (essentially a collection of small, thatched huts) to 5-star hotels. Fancier spots include Le Meridien Phuket, a luxury hotel with its own secluded beach, and the Amari Coral Beach Resort, a mid-priced hotel known for superlative service.

Expect room rates during the cooler season to be 30 to 50% higher than at any other time of year. If you go to Phuket between November and March, book at least a month in advance at pricier hotels.

Cuisine
As Phuket developed into an international resort, restaurants serving all types of cuisine sprang up in Patong. At the same time, decent Thai restaurants have become harder to find, as every former noodle vendor now seems to be peddling warmed-over pizza. Quality seafood is still widely available; Baan Rim Pa on Kalim Beach Road is one of the better purveyors of fish. Be warned that southern Thai food can be quite spicy, so eat plenty of rice with your meal or go out for ice cream afterwards.

Travel Tips
Remember that Phuket is a large island with a wide variety of beaches. Explore Patong, but also Karon, Kata and Promthep beaches, all on the south side of Phuket.

While you are there
Rent a car and explore the area beyond the beach. Check out Khao Phra Thaeo National Park - Phuket's last bit of virgin rain forest - and the Rehabilitation Project, which helps save abandoned baby gibbons.

To fake that you've been there
Tell war stories about attending Phuket's famous vegetarian festival. This annual celebration takes place in September or October and is the place to witness interesting events. Devotees of a particular god cleanse themselves at this festival by eating nothing but vegetarian food for 10 days and skewering their faces with spikes, axes, nails and swords.

Linking for a better vacation
Check out www.phuket.com for a range of useful information about the island. The Tourism Authority of Thailand gives an overview of Thailand, including beach resorts and the city of Bangkok.