Phuket, a mere 4-hour direct flight from Delhi, holds a special place in our hearts as 32 years back we landed here for our honeymoon. Over the past three decades, we’ve explored this tropical haven around 11 times, and each visit has unveiled a new layer of its charm. Our experiences have spanned the island’s popular highlights—from the iconic Big Buddha and Simon Cabaret to the breathtaking Koh Phi Phi, snorkeling adventures, Phuket Fantasea, Chalong Temple, Elephant Sanctuary, Dolphin Bay, and Andamanda Water Park. We’ve indulged in these experiences repeatedly, so this time, the idea was to uncover a fresh side of Phuket, one that’s less traversed by first-time visitors.

For those new to Phuket, I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in the classic attractions mentioned above. Add to that a shopping spree at Jungceylon, Robinson, and Central, and cap off your day with a visit to Soi Bangla at Patong, a pedestrian only street known for its raunchy nightlife.

The western coastline of Phuket

The island’s western coastline is where the action is and is known as the tourist belt. Our previous stays at Kata Noi, Kata, Karon, and Patong beaches have been wonderful, each offering its own unique flair. Hotels such as Kata Thani, Karon beach resort, Marina cottages and Centara will forever remain special. I’m particularly fond of the Kata-Karon stretch, where charming hotels, beautiful beaches, and a plethora of dining options create a great Phuket experience. Patong’s energetic atmosphere is just a stone’s throw away, perfect place to visit after a day of relaxation. And relaxation for me means a few hours on the beach followed by body breaking traditional Thai massage.

However, this trip led us to Kamala Beach, a beach we had yet to explore. Known for the renowned Phuket Fantasia show, Kamala is nestled north of Patong, providing a quieter retreat compared to the bustling south. The beach’s proximity to the upscale Surin and Bang Tao beaches, combined with easy access to Patong, offered a refreshing change. Staying here allowed us to enjoy a more serene environment while still being close enough to the action of Patong. Some glamourous beach clubs were just next door. For us, Kamala provided the perfect balance between tranquility and excitement—a new kind of Phuket experience.

Patong Beach- The life of Phuket

Let me paint you a picture of Patong, the beating heart of Phuket, where the island’s vibrant spirit comes to life. If you haven’t been here, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Personally for me it was the biggest eye opener of my life in 1992 when I stepped in here for the first time. I couldn’t believe that any place in this world could be so vibrant. For many, Patong IS Phuket and they immerse themselves in this high octane atmosphere for the duration of their stay.

Picture this: a long stretch of beach right in front, though it’s not the most inviting for a swim these days due to rapid commercialisation. As the sun dips below the horizon, Patong transforms itself. The nightlife here doesn’t just begin; it explodes, continuing unabated into the early hours. Over the past decade or so, Patong has evolved. From towering luxury hotels to cozy guesthouses, and from Michelin-starred dining experiences to humble street food stalls, Patong has it all. It’s a place where you can get a nice massage, browse through quirky roadside shops, or dive into the big malls like Jungceylon, Robinson, and Central. The area is alive with a dizzying array of options, including lively sex shows, colorful bars, and even some shady corners. You’ll encounter everything from energetic Thai boxing matches to the cannabis cafes thanks to cannabis being legalised by Thai government.

Though Patong isn’t where we choose to stay, we always make sure to visit at least once during our trip. The energy, the chaos, and the sheer variety make it a must-see. My advice? Do dive into the Patong evening experience if you’re in Phuket. You will have to be cautious of a lot of things but is absolutely worth the visit for its sheer audacity and vibrancy.

Restaurants around Patong : Naughty Nuri is very good for Ribs. It has very limited menu as it is a specialized eatery. My favourite – Baan Rim Pha on the road to Kamala is great and earlier there was one at Patong also near Novotel which has now become Meg Khram Thai. Both offer spectacular views of the sea. Sea Salt lounge at Diamond cliff resort is another one that is worth trying but if you want to try basic popular Thai restaurants with seafood – then Kaab Gluay Thai restaurant and Paan Yaah seafood are the ones to visit. If you do get tired of walking and want to have dinner around the Soi Bangala or Jungceylon then there are several good restaurants inside the mall or perhaps you can try out ‘Mojo’ or ‘The Kitchen’ near Soi Bangala.

The Sun Downers at the beach clubs

We visited several beach clubs this time. They are swanky, stylish and attract a lot of revelers. At lunch time they were fairly empty but 5.30 PM onwards the crowds swell and the music becomes louder. People would come and look at the sun going down into the sea and the landscape turn into a painting of lovely colours. Then there would be fireworks and shows. It was time to start drinking and this carried on till small hours of morning. Cafe del Mar was the most stylish and very busy and had a wait list even though it is a huge property and they had a hefty cover charge. The crowd was good and decor was superb. They even had sexy bathrooms and toilets. At the club you could sit with hookah, a cocktail or just laze in their pool. Each evening they had some gig performance which attracted people late at night as well.

It all started with a bar and music venue called the Café del Mar in San Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, Spain, that’s known for its chill-out, ambient, and Balearic music compilations. Their music compositions became so popular that their music collections were first sold on cassette in late 80’s, and since 1994, various labels have released Café del Mar compilation CDs.

As you move north there were other beach clubs like Carpe Diem, Xana, Casa Boho, Catch Beach Club etc. The hotels like Hyatt, Intercontinental etc boast of great beach clubs with infinity pools. If you visit one beach club a day – you may be able to cover all the fancy ones in a month.

Carpe Diem beach club : Located at Surin beach this is a contemporary beach club which also becomes popular as you move towards sunset. It offers a lovely view of the Andaman sea and has amazing atmosphere, good food, fancy cocktails, great live music and entertainment often hosted by star DJ’s from around the world. And if you want a beach massage on the beach with some real good music – Carpe Diem is the place to go.

Bang Tao Beach

Bang Tao used to be a hidden gem where the elite retreated to lavish, high-end hotels, each offering shareable luxury that had opulence written all over it. Banyan Tree was the most luxurious followed closely by Dusit and Laguna. This beach area was set against a backdrop of pristine seas, serene lagoons, and verdant mountains. The guests were the types who would spend the entire holiday here and would scoff at the very mention of visiting Patong. The place had everything—except the authentic flavor of Thailand.

Fast forward to today, and the transformation is nothing short of astounding. This once-remote corner of Phuket, which I found too far and rather dull compared to the lively Patong, has evolved into a bustling hotspot. The once tranquil Laguna golf course has become a major attraction, and the landscape is dotted with sleek apartments sprouting up everywhere. It is no longer just a holiday resort area but most of it now is residential area. The lush mountains that once framed the area are now being overshadowed by new constructions.

Interestingly, some of my friends have invested here, drawn by the area’s appeal as a superior beach destination compared to Goa, boasting an array of attractions and more things to do. Golf course is one big attraction. The Catch Beach Club and Xana Beach Club now light up the evenings with their exquisite cocktails and breathtaking sunsets. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy not only the Laguna golf course but also the renowned Blue Mountain golf course nearby. What was once a sleepy retreat is now a vibrant, sought-after paradise, brimming with life and luxury. And you do feel that you are in Thailand.

As so many people are staying here now , many restaurants and shopping centres have come up. The Boat Avenue nearby is great for shopping and several restaurants. You are confused where to eat as the place has several upmarket international cuisine restaurants. Supermarket had many people from India who were shopping groceries for their new found homes in the area. We would have liked to explore Boat Avenue more but it started pouring. This is the rainy season of Phuket as it lies in Andaman sea. When it rains here – it really pelts down.

Angsana offers luxurious apartments with pools right next to the beach at an affordable price. Cassia also has apartments on rent. It would be perfect place to stay when I go with my friends for a golfing holiday.

Bolt is the way to go

I used to hire a car in Phuket and drive but realised this time that the island is not a simple place anymore and the roads are full of tuk tuk’s, taxi’s and tourist buses. The Bolt and Grab are the two popular taxi apps in Phuket so I downloaded the Bolt app and all my travels within the city were through that. For this you must have data on your phone and if you don’t have international roaming – then you can easily buy data card at the airport. You could get bolt from airport also but there are several kiosks outside which get you taxis at a standard price till your hotel. Bolt for us worked out pretty good and fairly economical during the trip. It saved us from haggling with tuk tuk and taxi guys in notorious Patong. I gave all my rides 5 * rating and so did the taxi drivers to me but on the last day as my sand filled chappals left some sand in one vehicle – I was demoted to a 4* by this cabbie !

Massages of Thailand

When people talk about massages in Thailand, their minds often jump to something considered as naughty. The reality is that not all massage joints in the country are seedy and this industry is a significant source of employment for women across the country as can be seen by the number of parlours that it houses. Traditional Thai massage (also known as yoga massage) has stories abound about its supposed prowess in boosting ‘vitality in men,’ is a dry massage which can often be tough on body depending on the strength of masseuse . They use their elbows, knees and body weight to make you feel as if your bones are in grave danger. Yet it is addictive. No trip can be complete without a few traditional massages and foot massages. The charm of a quality foot massage at one of the countless parlours can rejuvenate the tired feet and legs. For a more refined experience, the upscale Pimnara Spa at Jungceylon offers a very clean environment and the luxury of combining a revitalizing facial with an indulgent foot massage. Transitioning from the less savory oil massage at ‘Christine massage’ during my younger days to the elegant Pimnara Spa now has been a seamless journey for me. Undoubtedly, this is part of growing up to an age where massages are enjoyed without a side of mystery!