Patong Ping Pong

Yes it still happens. Men still approach you in the street and whisper hoarsely "ping pong show, you go to ping pong show? Very Priscilla Queen of the Desert, as are the Cabaret Queens that parade on Banla Street in Patong after the sun goes down.

We probably saw Patong Beach at its worst on our arrival. Our overnight bus from Hua Hin was fairly comfortable with full length reclining seats, but with  a midnight meal stop and some bumpy roads we hadn't slept  for long when rolled inbto Phuket Town 90 minutes ahead of schedule at 5:30 am. A hair raising tuk tuk ride over the hills later (was our driver on speed or merely punishing us for questioning the standard fare?), and we were at our hotel at 6:30am. We had booked the hotel on the internet but found it didn't suit. First impressions count, and the stream of drunk farang men returning from nearby Banlan Road to their rooms with bar girls set the tone. Our standard room when it became available ( from what?!?) at 7am was old and grubby, overlooking a party street, lacking an inroom safe, and the internet quoted rate which had  included taxes now didn't. There was a newer part to the hotel at the back with more expensive rooms but none were available. The hotel had rave reviews but it wasn't for us......perhaps if I was single.....and 25......and desperate. We walked around and found another place nearer the beach and further from Banlan St , with nice staff, and by 9:30am we were in and sleeping.

Sue had been to Patong before but I hadn't. It was pretty much what I expected  package tourists, sex tourists, bars, hotels, restaurants, street stalls galore and a nice beach. We probably didn't see it at its best  (dry season) but did get some solid  beach time in  between the inevitable  rain.  There was some energy about and some fun to be had on Banlan Street but overall it seemed a little old (hat) and tired to me. When the taxi came at 10:30am on our last morning to take us to Kao Lak we were good and ready.

(Forgot to take any photos in Patong.  The one above is of the beach at Hua Hin.)