Patong

Patong (หาดป่าตอง Hat Patong) is the largest beach resort on the island of Phuket. eHalal Travel Guide also includes Kalim, a series of small beaches just north of Patong. As a Muslim family traveler you might want to consider other parts of Phuket.

Patong Halal Explorer

PatongBeach South3 - The south end of Patong Beach

Patong is a party capital of Asia, with famous nightlife and a great beach. Mostly made up of hotels, world-class restaurants, late night restaurants and various tourist attractions, this is a hedonists' heaven, with numerous entertainment complexes and countless bars clustered together in and around Bangla Road and Beach Rd. The town has a very obvious female, lady boys, and male sex industry to cater to every taste, however to only view it as this is a mistake, it offers so much more, for families and couples too.

Massage parlors of the erotic and therapeutic (nuat Thai) genre provide less alcohol- and drug-infested venues for punters and wellness seekers. One can even find masseuses practicing this medical art atop bamboo mats on the beach sands (100 Baht and up).

Prices are higher than in Phuket Town, but there's more good accommodation here than at the more southerly beaches.

This may not be a good destination for the average backpacker, except in the rainy season when prices are far lower. However backpackers are not Patong's target market. It is fairly and squarely aimed at holidaymakers, and does it rather well.

Rooming houses ("mansions") a few blocks inland provide nice, clean air-con rooms and suites as cheaply as 300 Baht/day (less without air-con), or 3,000-10,000 Baht/month. However Patong has every type of accommodation imaginable, from home stays to palaces.

Beach Road and its immediate surroundings were hit hard by the tsunami of 26 December 2004. The entire region is seismically active, with earthquakes and tsunami: see under Thailand#Stay safe. Local memory of the tragedy remains strong but the damage has been repaired, and the only reminders are the evacuation route road-signs and the inevitable catchpenny merchandising.

Orientation

Patong's three main axes are the aptly named Beach Road (Thanon Thawiwong) and Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd (the last bit means "200 years" and is pronounced song roi bee) running parallel a few hundred metres inland, bisected at the midpoint by the world famous Soi Bangla. (For the sake of brevity, in this Travel Guide it is called "Rat-U-Thit Rd". Running parallel to Beach Road and Rat-U-Thit Road about half a kilometre inland is Nanai Rd which is the residential expatriate area and has many cheaper guesthouses and hotels. The restaurants here tend to be cheaper as well, with beers to be found for 60 Baht a bottle generally.

Between Nanai Road and Rat-U-Thit is the bypass road. This road runs behind the huge Jungceylon shopping centre and past the local fresh fish and vegetable market, Baanzan (well worth a visit).

Travel as a Muslim to Patong

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Patong

Phuket International Airport (IATA Code: HKT) is 35 km north of Patong. Limousines from the airport to Patong are a steep 600 Baht (45 minutes). Meter-taxis start at 400 Baht (from the meter-taxi stand at the airport. Ignore the agents and turn right as you exit the terminal). Shared shuttle vanes are 180 Baht. Tickets can be obtained immediately outside the terminal. The shuttle van will stop halfway to Patong to ask where you are staying and to sell you overpriced hotels and tours. A cheaper, but more time consuming, option is to take the comfortable air-con airport shuttle bus to Phuket Town (85 Baht, 1 hour), and switch there to a local bus to Patong. See "By bus". Alternatively, if you know the right road, you can get off the bus after you pass the Big C shopping centre on the right (the airport bus goes to the left there, and the road to Kathu and then Patong is to the right at the same intersection), then catch a local bus to Patong there. Local buses to Patong are clearly marked in English and Thai.

Travel on a Bus in Patong

Airport Bus Express: Travels between airport & Patong, service also include Kata and Karon. The fare to Patong is currently B150 and to Kata and Karon is B200. Tickets can be purchased from the driver. The first bus will be outside the old main passenger terminal at Phuket International Airport at about 07:30 so to serve passengers arriving on the early flights. The bus will be parked at bus stop at the northern end of the terminal. Just follow the signs; as you exit the terminal, turn left and walk to the end of the building – bus will be there. Buses are cream-coloured with blue stripes. There is another bus service called “Airport Bus” that uses orange buses. These buses go to Phuket Town. If you take this bus, you will need to catch another bus in Phuket Town to take you to Patong. Please note that the bus will depart once it is full. Don’t worry, though, buses depart Phuket Airport every hour. If you are in a hurry, it may be best to take a taxi from the airport. Same advise to people who are carrying a lot of luggage with them. If there are not enough passengers to justify using full-size bus, they use a minivan instead. They have three minivans that are used during the “low season” (May-October) to help reduce the cost of fuel for buses. The first bus will leave the airport at about 08:00 and last bus departs at 8pm. When you get on the bus, you must tell the driver where your hotel is. The driver will drop you off at your hotel if possible. However, if your hotel is on a steep hill that bus will not be able to climb, you can travel in one of minivans for convenience and safety. Don’t worry, the fare is the same. Passengers can get off the bus (or minivan) at several locations en route to Patong, Kata and Karon. However, the bus or van will not pick up any passengers en route. The drop-off locations include Phuket International Airport, Muangmai, Thalang, Heroines Monument, Boat Lagoon, and/tesco/ Tesco (bypass road), the See Kor Intersection (near the Caltex petrol station) in Kathu, and at Jungceylon in Patong (bus stops on Phang Muang Sai Kor Rd). In Patong, they use Jungceylon as main “terminal” for buses returning to Phuket Airport. If you want to use service from Kata or Karon, please call them and we can pick you up. Likewise, if you are staying in Patong, just call them and they will pick you up if possible. Unfortunately, thrie website is no longer operating and company currently does not have a contact email address, so it is best to contact directly for the latest information. For more details or to book tickets in advance, or call at 076-328291 or 084-0652122. The main office is near the Bangkok Bank branch on Phang Muang Sai Kor Road in Patong, near Nanai Soi 8, but many foreigners have trouble finding the office.

Regular buses connect to Phuket Town (25 Baht, 30-45 minutes) every 30 minutes or so between 07:00 and 18:00. The route starts from the southern end of the beach, after which the bus crawls through town (via Bangla Road), stopping to pick up passengers, before finally heading off across the hills, and going via Kathu, then passing near Big C before entering the Phuket Town.

In Phuket Town, those buses are usually waiting for passengers near the local market (1-1,5 km west from the Phuket bus station), however, some huge (almost bus-sized) songthaews marked "Phuket - Patong" were seen near Phuket bus station too. If you're coming by public bus from other areas in Thailand (like Bangkok or Surat Thani), as well as if using the airport bus, you will end up in this bus station. Local motorbike taxi drivers can and will offer fares like 40 Baht to the market or 250 Baht straight to Phuket - just walk (there's a city map in the terminal), bargain hard, or just wait for an arriving songthaew; even if he's not going to Patong, he will drop you to the bus station for no more than 20 Baht, or probably 10 if there's more than 2-3 of you.

To get to the market from where the large songthaews go, turn right into Phang Nga Road on leaving the bus station and walk to where the road ends. Turn left then right at the roundabout immediately after. Walk along this road and you will see them several hundred metres along. Choose the one to the beach you want.

The ones returning from Patong will arrive here, but if enough persons want to go to the bus station, they are charged an extra 10 Baht each and were dropped off there.

By hire car or van

"Limousine" usually refers to a larger sedan, such as a Toyota Camry, with leather seats, etc. They cost around 600-700 Baht to go to Kata Beach. Considering the drive is about an hour long, this is one of the best options to get to Kata Beach.

• Phuket Connect Transfers - By local driver. Transfers by private car or van from any place in Patong to any other place on the island or as far as Krabi or Khao Sok. Available 24/7. You can arrange for a free child's seat in advance.

• Phuket Travel Box Transfer - From Phuket International Airport to and around Phuket Island and practically any other location in Phuket.

• Phuket Transfers - by local driver. Transfers by private car or van from any place in Phuket to any other place on the island or as far as Krabi or Khao Lak. Available 24/7. You can arrange for a free child's seat in advance.

How to get around in Patong

Patong can (just about) be covered on foot, but there are plenty of taxis and motorbikes to get you around. The cost of these is one of the main down sides to Patong as they are unregulated and charge what they please.

Phuket has two types of taxi - millions (or so it seems) of small Thailand#Songthaew|songthaew -style minivans (usually bright red, occasionally bright yellow), and very few conventional sedan-style taxis (yellow and red, with a "Taxi-Meter" sign on top).

The minivans have no meter, and their drivers are notoriously mercenary, so always agree a price beforehand and do bargain hard. Short hops typically cost 200 Baht since the one-way street system was inaugurated.

For longer distances the metered taxis are generally cheaper.

Motorbike taxi rides within Patong start around 40 Baht, though for any unwalkable distance you might find it hard to get a ride for less than 100 Baht.

What to see in Patong

There are many sorts of beaches on Phuket. If one wants unspoiled and natural then Patong is not your kind of place, but there are many unspoiled beaches in the north and south of this beautiful island. Patong is for those of you who like a developed resort with a vibrant nightlife.

Beaches

• Freedom Beach - Beautiful beach with just a few people compared to Karon or Patong. On the east side of the mountain separating Karon from Patong. You can either charter a long boat from Karon or Patong for about 1000 to 2000 bath flat (negotiate) to drop you off at the beach and collect you there or pay a taxi (tuktuks can't go up the steep mountain) around 600 bath (haggled down from 1000) to drop you off at the gravel road above the beach. Pay when you are picked up again! The "access fee" to the beach is 200 Baht per person, although all beaches in Thailand are said to be open to the public. The trail down from the gravel road is steep. A bar and a toilet can be found on the beach.

• Kalim Beach - หาดกะหลิม—Hat Kalim - Just north of Patong Bay, starting from about the Novotel Phuket Resort Patong to Thavorn Beach Village, this area consists of rocky but quiet beaches, and an interesting road leading up into hills with high viewpoints and a few good quality restaurants perched on the edge and top. Some housing compounds are now being built on the hillsides and the whole area is steadily moving upmarket.

• Patong Beach - หาดป่าตอง | Patong Beach is Phuket's most developed beach. It is 3 long. 15 km from Phuket town. Patong is mostly made up of hotels, restaurants, late night restaurants, and various tourist attractions. Daytime activities are primarily centered on the beach with water sports. Patong is known for its Haram nightlife, centered on Soi Bangla. The northern end of Patong Bay is called Kalim and is a popular place for viewing the sunset and for surfing between April and September each year.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Patong

Massage

• Bali Hai - Bali Hai is one that can be recommended.

• Orientala - According to Mideast visitors, full service haram massage.

Scuba diving and snorkelling

• All4Diving - A complete PADI 5 Star career development scuba diving centre and IDC. Provides day trips and PADI scuba diving courses, from beginner to professional level of instructor, to Ko Racha and Ko Phi Phi Islands. They are liveaboard specialists to the Similan Islands and Bali, having their own fleet, M/V Mermaids.

• Thailand Divers - Has been training new and experienced divers for over 10 years. The dive centre is on the west coast of Phuket in Patong, not far from the best diving locations in Thailand. Day trips, liveaboards.

• Underwater Holidays - Scuba diving holidays to the Similan National Marine Park.

• Local Dive Thailand offer PADI courses and fun dives for those qualified. Own spacious motor launch runs daily to dive sites around the islets & reefs to south of Phuket. Usually a 3-dive day trip, meals included.

Other

• Jet-skiing, para-sailing and other water-sports - Be very careful when renting a jet-ski in Phuket. There is a well known and notorious scam where visitors are falsely accused of damaging the jet ski and extorted out of huge sums of money (in the many tens of thousands of Baht). The extortionists are extremely persistent and are known to use threats of physical violence and the police will not help because they get a cut of the proceeds. The general consensus seems to be that to stay safe you should not rent a jet ski in Thailand. If you do, make sure it is through an agency you trust, e.g., your hotel (if you trust your hotel). Note: There is no insurance when hiring jet skis.

https://eHalal.io is currently in discussion with several resorts and hotels that offer Muslim friendly services in Patong. Wednesday will keep you updated.

Study as a Muslim in Patong

• Patong Language School - Teaches languages Thai, English, German, and Japanese. Rates depend on group or private and length of study. Approved by the Thai Ministry of Education, accredited by CSN Sweden, and Bildungsurlaub Germany.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Patong

One of Patong's main attractions, besides the Haram nightlife, is shopping. Patong Beach transforms into a large night bazaar every evening, when all the primary streets become clogged with stalls selling handicrafts, silk scarves, sarongs and a variety of beach clothes, leisure wear, leather goods and luggage, CDs etc. Haggle|Bargain hard for anything you buy from these stalls, as everything is negotiable in Patong and starting prices are often ridiculously high. Get a local to help you haggle rather than complain about it. Save yourself to bargain and overpay. Shopping at shopping malls in Phuket is a lot safer and cost effective. Price of a pair of sunglasses for example will be the same price as stalls on beach road (non-bargain).

Fake goods from the many stalls are all over the place. Quality is normally poor. The Thai government recently introduced a new law making it a criminal offence to buy or sell pirated goods. Although no cases involving tourists have been reported, the risk does exist that goods that violate intellectual property rights may be liable to confiscation at the airport.

• Jungceylon - จังซีลอน - Patong's first full-fledged modern air-con shopping mall, complete with 200 shops, integrated hotels, etc. The launch was postponed several times in the wake of the 2004 tsunami, but it opened in July 2007. The food court in the basement has various types of local food, mostly Indian and Thai. It is a good value commercial canteen in style with tables in the middle and food vendors set into walls around table area.

• Patong OTOP Shopping Paradise | You might be excused for thinking that this has something to do with the "One Tambon, One Product" scheme to promote local industry, but no, turns out this market sells exactly the same copies of branded clothes and mass-produced handicrafts as everybody else. At least there's a fairly wide selection to choose from.

Halal Restaurants in Patong

Patong offers an amazingly cosmopolitan array of eating options, including Arabic, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Scandinavian, and pretty much any country that sends tourists here. Prices are, however, generally inflated (at least by Thai standards). You can expect to pay about 150 Baht for basic meals like /cp-kampung-fried-rice-frozen/ fried rice unless you really hunt around. Seafood is priced by weight and is not affordable either. If you're looking for a good food court, visit Jungceylon.

• 99 Seafood Restaurant | Opposite the Royal Paradise Hotel - An open-air restaurant that has excellent seafood selections. The price is also quite affordable and the place is usually busy at night.

• Ali Baba and Ali Baba 2 | These two restaurants have two separate menus for two separate cuisines, namely Indian and Arabic. Both locations offer air-con inside and smoking water pipes outside.

• Casablanca Restaurant - ร้านอาหาร คาซาบลังกา | Middle Eastern Halal food.

• Madras Cafe Restaurant - Serves south Indian, north Indian food, Indian vegetarian food, Arab food and Halal food.

• Patong Seafood Restaurant | One of the finest seafood restaurants on Phuket serving local delicacies.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Patong

Patong - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Patong, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Patong. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Patong and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Patong. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Patong. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPatong: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Patong.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Patong: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Patong, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Patong.

Prayer Facilities: Information on mosques, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Patong, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Patong, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Patong and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Patong, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Patong, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Patong without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our customers."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Patong is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Patong.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Patong is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its customers while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Patong, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Patong Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Patong

eHalal Group Patong is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Patong. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Patong.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Patong ensures that customers have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000, these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Patong. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Patong, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Patong are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million, these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Patong

Accommodation is rather affordable during the peak season with simple air-con rooms ranging from 500-1,500 Baht; fan rooms start around 300 Baht but availability is limited. In the low season, air-con rooms are easily found from around 300 Baht and up. You can usually get a better deal for the more expensive rooms by using one of the local travel shops. It pays to Haggling|haggle with them.

HTTPS://FLIGHTS.EHALAL.IO for a full list of all hotels and resorts in Patong.

Explore more Halal Friendly Destinations from Patong

• Kamala — next beach to the north
• Karon — next beach to the south
• Khao Lak — diving centre and Patong's antithesis, 100 km north
• Ko Phi Phi — a popular day trip via tour packages
• Phuket Town