Patong
title: "Patong" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-phuket-province", "beaches-of-phuket-province", "red-light-districts-in-thailand"] topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-phuket-province" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patong" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | |
| official_name | Patong Town Municipality |
| native_name | ป่าตอง |
| native_name_lang | th |
| settlement_type | Town Municipality |
| image_skyline | Patong Beach.jpg |
| pushpin_map | Thailand |
| pushpin_label_position | |
| pushpin_map_caption | Patong |
| coordinates | |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | Thailand |
| subdivision_type1 | Province |
| subdivision_name1 | Phuket Province |
| unit_pref | Metric |
| area_total_km2 | 16.4 |
| area_metro_km2 | 67.09 |
| population_total | 19,346 |
| population_density_km2 | auto |
| population_note | Registered residents only |
| population_metro | 59,261 |
| timezone1 | ICT |
| utc_offset1 | +7 |
| website | |
| :: |
| name = Patong | official_name = Patong Town Municipality | native_name = ป่าตอง | native_name_lang = th | settlement_type = Town Municipality | image_skyline = Patong Beach.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | mottoeng = | image_map = | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Thailand | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Patong | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Thailand | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Phuket Province | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 16.4 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | area_metro_km2 = 67.09 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 19,346 | population_as_of = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = Registered residents only | population_metro = 59,261 | timezone1 = ICT | utc_offset1 = +7 | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | iso_code = | website = | footnotes =
Patong ( , ) refers to the beach and town on Phuket's west coast. It is the main tourist resort on the island of Phuket, and is the centre of Phuket's nightlife and shopping. The beach became popular with Western tourists, especially Europeans, in the late-1980s. It has numerous hotels and the area has expanded into a tourist place. Bangla Road is a popular street in this area with vibrant nightlife.
History
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Patong_Beach,Phuket_Thailand-_panoramio.jpg" caption="Bangla Road, Patong Beach Walking Street, 2013"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Bangla_Road_Patong_Thajsko_2018_5.jpg" caption="Bars along Bangla Road, Patong (2018)"] ::
Patong Beach is known for its nightlife and 2850-metre (1.77 mile) beach that runs the entire length of Patong's west side. Nightlife is centered in two main areas, Bangla Road and the "Paradise Complex", with Bangla Road being predominantly straight and Paradise Complex gay. Both are lined with many bars, discotheques, and go go bars. Prostitution in Thailand is illegal, but tolerated, as is the case in Patong. Cannabis is also commonly sold at shops in Patong.
On 26 December 2004, Patong Beach along with many other areas along the west coast of Phuket and Thailand were struck by a tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The wave caused a great deal of destruction to the waterfront of the beach and immediately inland and only one woman was killed in a basement seafront grocery store. Patong was one of the worst affected areas of Phuket, although the destruction was not as bad as nearby Khao Lak. Patong has largely recovered since the tsunami.
Environment
the waters off Patong Beach exceeded Thai Pollution Control Department standards for fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) and enterococci bacteria. To avoid paying the municipal wastewater treatment fee of five baht per cubic meter, many households discharge their wastewater untreated into canals and the sea. Patong also has limited capacity to treat wastewater. The municipal wastewater treatment plant is nearing its capacity of 28,000 m3 a day. An upgrade be operational in 2018 which will increase capacity by an extra 9,000 m3 per day.
Municipality's Efforts to Maintain Cleanliness at Patong Beach in Phuket
Patong Beach, attracting a large number of visitors every day. Unfortunately, this influx of tourists can sometimes lead to pollution and garbage on the beach.
Nightlife
Bangla is considered as the most popular walking street in Phuket. Along the street is full of beer bars and go-go bars, which makes tourists stay there longer or in a whole night.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Patong_Beach,_Phuket,_Thailand_Panorama.jpg" caption="Patong Beach."] ::
Gallery
File:Вид с вертолета на Патонг (март 2013) - panoramio (1).jpg|Aerial view of Patong File:Patong Beach Phuket November 2012.jpg|Patong Beach File:PhuketStreet.jpg|Songthaews, Thawiwong Rd, Patong Beach File:PatongBeach.jpg|Patong Beach from Thawiwong File:Thanon Thawewong Patong Phuket.jpg|Traffic in Patong's streets File:Jungceylon Patong Thajsko 2018 1.jpg|Jungceylon Shopping Mall File:Night market Patong Thajsko 2018 1.jpg|Banzan Night Market
References
References
- (2007). "ชื่อจังหวัด อำเภอ/กิ่งอำเภอ ตำบล เขต และแขวง ไทย-อังกฤษ ฉบับรับรองโดยราชบัณฑิตยสถาน / Thai-English Transcription of Changwat, Amphoe, King Amphoe, Tambon, Khet and Khwang Approved by the Royal Institute". กองวิชาการและแผนงาน. กรมการปกครอง / Technical Services and Planning Division. Department of Provincial Administration.
- "Patong Beach".
- (2016). "Thailand State of Pollution Report 2015". Pollution Control Department, [[Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Thailand)]].
- (28 April 2018). "Image-conscious Patong to dredge 'black' waste canal". Bangkok Post.
- Patwary, MD Faysal Islam. (January 5, 2023). "Bangla Road: The shady heart of all Phuket nightlife".
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