A Night Out In Patong.

Michael Finn — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:54:53 +0000

Patong nightlife is something that almost all tourists will experience or at least try to when they come to visit Phuket. Most people have heard of the go-go bars, the lady boys and bar girls. Patong however is not for everybody, if however you have never made a visit is worth knowing what all the talk is about even if you visit only once. As you visit Soi Bangla which is the most visited area for the particular night life of Patong, you will find what appear to be beautiful women dancing around poles or other people. You do however need to keep in mind that these women or girls may not in fact be women or girls at all and could possibly be lady boys. It is often difficult to spot a girl or woman from a lady boy as the feminine features are often the same. Of course there are some lady boys that are very obvious and perhaps they are just getting into the scene of Patong. Not only will you find all the dancers in the various bars but there will also be a variety of street merchants selling their wares. There are also many off streets from Soi Bangla and surrounding Soi’s with bars and clubs. Many which offer the same sort of sights that you can see when you are visiting Soi Bangla. On occasion you will also find fire dances which are a spectacular sight and enjoyed by all. Patong is also home to a wide variety of stalls and markets selling “original copies” of everything you could possibly imagine. There is also very close to the go-go area a large shopping mall, Jungceylon. This shopping mall has designer the stores, fast food outlets as well as local souvenirs and arts and crafts. If you carry on further to Kata or Karon beaches you will find that there is a similar atmosphere but on a much smaller scale and more often those who are nearer this area of Phuket prefer these two spots. Patong is most definitely the area that the tourists will visit when they want one of the most well known experiences of Patong, which is the bizarre and unusual nightlife. One of the other lesser known industries in Patong are the pharmacies selling all manner of medications all of which are available much cheaper than tourists can purchase them in their own countries. As with some medical tourism that goes on sometimes in Phuket, there are also people who come not only for the wonderful sites of Phuket but to purchase medications that they cannot purchase in their own countries without a prescription. Costs in Thailand being a major in for the tourists as if it was in their own countries they have to pay a lot more for them. To get a taxi or a tuk tuk in Patong is an experience in itself as well. Often you will find there are lines and lines of tuk tuks and less you are going a reasonable distance they often are unwilling to take you. I would say that it is quite a little mafia ring running regarding tuk tuk operations in Patong, all without proof of course. As well as the lines and lines of tuk tuks that will not take you anywhere, is very difficult to find parking in Patong. This is one of the other reasons that very few foreigners who live in Phuket actually will visit Patong. In some cases in Patong you will find there are cheap offers for drinks however for most items you can purchase you will be paying tourist prices and there is almost no

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Phuket Magha Puja Festival

Michael Finn — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:03:43 +0000

Our calendar shows images behind certain dates. It lets you know what that day represents. When the date is in red then it’s an important day.
The 21st February was in red with the image of the Buddha in the background. I knew that Bamboo would have no school and all government offices would be closed along with the banks. Yes, I should have said “A Bank Holiday” but some days have government offices closed with the banks open.
On the 20th, a flyer was delivered to all the houses in our estate. Unable to read Thai , I did notice 6 am 21st.
Driving back from the Bamboo’s favourite restaurant, which we go to every Wednesday after school, my treat to her. I noticed tables being set up around the park area in our estate.
Patitta, my wife, arrived home a little earlier from work and took Bamboo away with her. They returned two hours later loaded down with packages and small plastic bags.
I was told to go to bed early as Patitta and Bamboo began to make up parcels. Each parcel contained: a cup of rice, a tube of toothpaste, a small carton of milk and a tin of fish.
Bamboo told me to call Mama and her at 5.30 am.
21st Feb. I had great delight waking up Bamboo and Patitta at the appointed time. Bamboo jumped out of bed immediately, whereas on school days I have a heck of a time wakening her up and getting her out of bed.
We left the house at 5.45 am. The stars were still shinning and the moon, though full was settings. I could say that it was a cold, crisp February morning with out breathes visible in the chill of dawn but I would be only dreaming.
The stars were still shinning and the full moon was setting but the heat of yesterday still lingered in the warn morning air.
As we made our way towards the park we were joined by others also carrying parcels. We picked an empty table and set out our parcels as did everyone else.
While waiting for the Buddha Monks to arrive, I asked Patitta what was this festival all about.
“Its Magha Puja”. she replied. (Later I had to find out the full meaning on the internet).
The good thing was that I was allowed to return to the house, but still in the dark. In the dark about the festival, not in the dark as in night, even though it was still dark for a few minutes because at 6.30 am we have full sunrise. I love the Tropics and the heat in the “cool of the morning” reinforces the heat of last evening which really maintains the continuous heat of the Tropical Day.
Two pick-up trucks followed the monks and collected all the food parcels.

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Phuket Stories » Festivals

A Night Out In Patong.

Phuket Magha Puja Festival