I travelled to the Holiday Inn at Patong Beach in the peak season (December 2000). Although the hotel rooms were fine, the beach itself was dirty and full of sleaze. For whatever reason, it seemed to attract a large number of unattractive, chain-smoking package tourists from Europe. Yuck! In addition, garbage would wash up on a daily basis in the mornings. Has anyone else experienced this filth on Patong Beach (and parts of Phuket in general)? <BR><BR>The only way to avoid this experience seems to be paying extra for a luxury resort (i.e. the Amanpuri) or skipping Phuket island. People were unfriendly and seemed to prey on the "quick buck" and most goods were very overpriced relative to other regions of Thailand. Plenty of other beaches would offer a much more authentic and enjoyable experience - especially if you are travelling with a family. Has anyone else reached this same conclusion?

Curious Why take 2 years to mention it? I cannot believe it is that bad or so many people would not go there.

Have been through Phuket twice on our way to the islands and felt the same way. Seems like an overdeveloped nightmare, but probably great if you are in a luxury hotel with private beach. Still, I'd rather take my chances on one of the islands.

Patong is no more representative of Phuket than saying all of Manhattan is like Times Square or Greenwich Village, or all of California is like Venice Beach.<BR><BR>Patong is only the latgest beach in Phuket and no guide book or website I ever read called it the best.<BR><BR>Last year I visited Phuket and my first four nights were at the Amari Coral Reef which technically is Patong but is a good 20 minute walk up to Bangla Soi. And that is where most of the tawdriness that you complain about is. I also walked on the Patong Beach during the day and didnt find it attractive.<BR><BR>I also visited and stayed in Kata at the Andaman Cannacia and then at Kata Noi at the Kata Thani, and also in Ao Nang at the Ocean Garden.<BR><BR>My point being I went to Patong and expereinced it like you, then went elsewhere in Phuket. If you had done the same, you'd have the same positive feelings about Phuket that I do.<BR><BR>Guess what, I visited last year in late October and into November. This year I am returning to Phuket and visiting BangTao, Kamala Bay, and Kata Noi again.<BR><BR>I think Phuket is a terrific place.<BR><BR>Guess what you don't have to stay at the Amanpuri to find first class hotels...<BR><BR>You can stay away from Patong if you don't care for it, but to run down the whole island is being short-sighted.<BR><BR>Is every neighborhood in Philadelphia desirable. I'd think not. Same as there are sections of everywhere that cater to different tastes and incomes.<BR><BR>Still, if you don't return to Phuket, no one is harmed.<BR><BR>Thanks for expressing your feelings about the place. Thats' what the forum is for...<BR><BR>M

Michael from NY: Actually, I'm glad to hear that Phuket has nicer areas. We had not planned (on our first trip) to go there so did not research at all. We spent a night in Kata but were looking for something a bit less developed.

People say that Pattaya is terrible but there are marvelous places and resorts, you just must avoid the places that are not pleasant is the best advice.

that's what i go there for....cause i'm a scumbag<BR><BR>i wish times square in NYC used to be the way it was 15 years ago!

A lot of people want to go to the bars and clubs in Phuket. Soi Bangla buzzes all night long. The Irish Bar has cheap beer and there's an Ozzie bar and plenty of Brit pubs.It is fun trying to work out whick are the lady men and which are the real ones. Patong is a great place to get totally smashed. It's a rock place. If you don't like it then don't go.

Gilbert,What were you expecting- the Vatican?

I think he was not expecting another Pattaya. Anyway IMHO Pattaya is a lot cheaper and friendlier than Patong. But Patong doesn't get razzled the way Pattaya does, guess it's not fashionable to do so. I would never ever go back to Patong, or anywhere on Phuket for that matter.

I'm glad this message has sparked such lively discussion. The purpose of sharing my disappointment with Patong Beach was to help those who may be planning to go there for the first time. Guidebooks did not convey the extent to which the litter washes onto shore or the unpleasant sight of dozens of partially-clad, overweight, chain-smoking Europeans compressed together. <BR><BR>Yes, Patong Beach is clearly not for everyone. That's not to say that it's unsuitable for some tourists or the Thai economy. Many people from Europe still go there because it's a cheap vacation. And the "quick bucks" have made Phuket one of the wealthiest provinces in all of Thailand. <BR><BR>That said, our trip to Phuket did have some great aspects. James Bond Island was fun to see for its nostalgia. And the boat journey to Ko-Phi-Phi was very scenic, even though the beach there was overcrowded with tourists. We had a good time despite staying on Patong Beach. <BR><BR>Shouldn't forums include opinions of traveller's best experiences as well as their worst experiences? Readers can decide which message best matches their style and travel preferences.

I would just say that it is a great shame that travel agents provide such a limited number of places for people to go. We cannot expect people to just head-off into the unknown. One of the great things about Thailand is that there are nice hotels, pleasant town with a real Thai atmosphere that never see a tourist, simply because those places are not in the brochures.<BR>These days with the availability of the internet it is so easy ( together with forums such as this ) to get a cheap flight and book your accommodation.<BR>On recent visits, and seeing promotions of the internet, I would not say you can always do it cheaper yourself, but you often can.<BR>The great benefit of 'doing it yourself' is that you can always move from one hotel or resort to another without loosing money you've paid in advance.<BR>These days I would just do some internet searches to find out about places, checks forums, then get myself a cheap flight and hotel. So easy, and I have the freedom.<BR>There are just so many great beaches and places in Thailand that visitors never see, a great shame. <BR>I do not exagerate one bit when I say that 95% of Thailand is untouched by mass tourism, there are lovely beaches, friendly towns everywhere. It's also a good tip to see where the resident expats who live in a country go for their breaks, I know where I go, but I doubt the places have even been heard of.

So, Sarah, are you going to tell us?<BR><BR>I agree with most of your post, by the way. But it does take a more adventurous traveler to seek out the place that is unknown and risk it being a dump instead of paradise. <BR><BR>Let me put it this way, I don't think the same people who post "what should I wear in London" are going to go somewhere "unknown".

Well I would say Cha Am and Hua Hin for starters. They have marvelous hotels like Hilton, Sofitel, Regent, Dusit, Evason, Hyatt Regency, Dusit, Marriott, but although you get some Euro tourists it's still 90% Thais and foreigners living in Bangkok who go there. Dirt cheap when compared to the main tourist spots. I wouldn't call it out of the way either, just a cab ride from Bangkok. It's just not on the travel agent's agenda list. Koh Chang and Koh Samet are great islands, Rayong in Trat province has a Novotel and other resorts. Koh Tao island has good places. Even just past Pattaya Jomtien beach is quite pleasant.<BR>I have my suspiscions thought because although so many do not have a good word for Pattaya it still gets masses of tourists. I wonder if a lot of people who don't like the sleaze factor actually enjoy it, after all it's not just men you see in all the bars!

Thanks, Margo. I've saved your info for our next trip. Love Bangkok, but gotta get out of it after a few days!

Gilbert,you must be a very attractive non smoking american tourist who stays in Holiday Inns throughout the world. We'd try to stay out of your way so that we won't sleaze your next trip.

Sarah - What do you suggest?? I am doing some research for a potential honeymoon in Southern Thailand and would like to find the "less traveled" areas where there is plenty of good local food, lush landscapes, secluded beaches and top-notch hotels/resorts. Any suggestions? <BR><BR>Dabney

The Evason at Pranburi is on it's own and has excellent villas with their own pools plus a spa center. Fabulous for a honeymoon.