Patong Beach Attractions

Bangla Boxing Stadium

Bangla Boxing Stadium features regular Thai boxing (or Muay Thai) fights three nights a week; on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It is run by a team of professional Muay Thai promoters who are said to present only the real deal in the ring. Many of the fighters here are foreign boxers who train hard before getting in the ring. If you are lucky, you might have the chance to witness some women’s matches which also take place here – but not as often as men’s events.

Bangla Boxing Stadium is located just opposite Banzaan Fresh Market behind Jungceylon Shopping Mall in Patong. It’s a bit of an odd setup in terms of design and atmosphere. The actual stadium is upstairs in a building called the Tiger Complex, on top of dozens of open-air bars. From the outside the whole scene looks like something out of ‘The Flintstones’ cartoon as it looks more like a big cave than a modern sports stadium. But don’t let this fool you; once you step inside, it’s a serious boxing stadium alright.

Bangla Boxing Stadium was originally located in Soi Bangla (hence the name) moved once or twice before settling here a few years back. Ticket prices are divided into a few categories with the VIP seat being the most expensive one. Children get 50% off any quoted price.

Jungceylon Shopping Centre

Jungceylon Shopping Complex has radically changed the face of shopping in Patong since its opening a few years back. The two main stores in the complex are Robinson - a gleaming well-lit upper end department store, and Carrefour - a French-based supermarket. The 200-plus other stores in this shopping heaven sell brand-name clothes, spectacles, sunglasses, colognes and perfumes, shoes, DVD-CD-VCD's, computer games, electrical goods, pewter, gold and silver, sportswear and goods amongst myriad other items. Read More...

Loma Park

Along the beach at the north end of Patong is Loma Park, a refreshingly quiet spot to relax in the shade. Many festival events are held here during the year, and it's a popular park for local families to enjoy a nice afternoon.

Paradise Complex (Gay Phuket)

Phuket’s long been a popular destination for those seeking sun, sand, sea and… companionship but not all men coming here seek female company. Many male visitors look for male company, sometimes for the duration of their holidays, sometimes for much longer. 

At the Royal Paradise Complex in Patong an estimated half of the businesses there are run by, or cater to gay people. Many are small bars with a selection of young men who sit, talk and share drinks with their guests.  Read More...

Patong Boxing Stadium

Basically, there are two types of Thai boxing in Patong: the staged stuff and the real McCoy. For the real article look no further than Patong Boxing Stadium on Sai Namyen Road. Talk about an atmosphere. The stadium is frequented by macho-looking tattooed western types with their Thai girlfriends, middle-aged, broad-shouldered Thai guys and a large contingent of Muslims from neighbouring province Phang Nga, to cheer on their relatives. Click here to Book Tickets. Read More...

Boon Kaw Kong Shrine

When cresting Patong Hill, most drivers honk their horns to show respect to the Pun Tuao Kong Chinese Shrine that straddles the hill. Built in 1980, it is not a big shrine but it is well respected. When devotees' wishes are granted they usually come back to pay respect by setting off fire crackers. Some people show open-air movies across the road from the shrine or donate money for the shrine's maintenance. Photography is not allowed inside.

Shell World Museum

Shell World Museum at Jungceylon is a labour of love for Somwang Patamakanthin known to most people as Jom, an amateur malacologist and one of Thailand’s leading seashell collectors. The museum houses countless colourful and unique sea shells, a total of 1,382 families from 135 countries around the world. Some of them are rare and valuable shells and fossils. Among the most impressive ones is a giant clam weighing more than 200kg.

Jom is no stranger to shell-collecting circles. His father, Somuek and his family own the famous Phuket Seashell Museum in Rawai, and the huge venue has been considered by many shell enthusiasts to be one of the most interesting private museums in the world. Jom grew up with the same interest as many people in his family and like his father he has met and exchanged knowledge and seashells with other marine scientists over the years.

Free admission for children under 100cm tall. Jom is also involved with the Bangkok Seashell Museum, located on Silom Road next to Soi Silom 23, just across the road from Lerdsin Hospital. Stop by if you are in the area.

Simon Cabaret Show (Transvestite)

It’s a spectacular display of colour, originality and fun. Phuket’s Simon Cabaret has become one of Southeast Asia’s outstanding entertainment attractions, nightly drawing a thousand enthused visitors from around the world. Simon Cabaret is Asia’s biggest transvestite cabaret show and features a spectacular musical floor show performed by the world famous ladyboys of Simon Cabaret. See for yourself - guys, can you tell the difference? And ladies - wouldn't you just die for a figure like that? Fabulous costumes, glitzy and fun. Click here to Book Tickets. Read More...

Soi Bangla (Bangla Road)

Like all night owls, Soi Bangla awakens when the sun sets. That's when Patong's liveliest party zone becomes closed to traffic and ready for action! Famous for its raunchy nightlife, Bangla goes all out to entertain with girls, beers and music that increases in volume as the moon rises. Jammed most nights year round, it's actually totally unthreatening and a lively place to walk around as bars compete for customers.  Read More...

Wat Suwan Khiri Wong

In a middle of Patong’s busy development and the infamous nightlife lies a peaceful and holy place called Wat Suwan Khiri Wong or Wat Patong for short. It is the centre of local Thai Buddhism. This Theravada temple features beautiful structures including the main ubosot (chapel), pagoda, monastery hall and statues of Lord Buddha. There are monks living in the temple and every morning they go through the nearby community to collect food from the villagers who line their route. It is a sight that takes Patong right back to its original roots when the place was just a fisherman’s village years ago. 

Kathu Mining Museum

Opened in August 2009, Kathu Mining Museum is a very informative cultural and historical attraction. In the past Phuket was a major tin-producing centre and drew thousands of Chinese labourers who eventually settled on the island. In short, Phuket would not have its multicultural identity without tin. The museum features displays of everything from tin mine models to a scene in an opium den.  A visit with a guide (or someone who has some knowledge about Phuket's history) is recommended. Entrance is free but donations are accepted. 

Kathu Shrine

Kathu Shrine has shared a long history with Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival and is known as the original home of the festival. The original Kathu shrine was very small and not at all grand. Over the years, a lot of work and effort was expanded to renovate its condition and nowadays this shrine is considered by many islanders as the most holy of all in Phuket. Traditional materials and techniques were used and the restoration was done following traditional Chinese architecture as visitors can see, starting from its main entrance. Read More...