Photo by Eustaquio SantimanoPhuket nightlife takes on many different forms. is one of Thailand’s top destinations and as such there is a diverse range of nightspots on the island. Although nightlife is not quite on the same level as in Bangkok, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find somewhere to have fun.

nightlife is at its most lively in Patong. You’ll either love Patong or you’ll hate it. The bars are loud, the clubs are obnoxious and the streets are crowded. That being said, Patong is cheap and the bars and clubs stay open later than in other parts of .

Patong is famous for its nightlife. The center of the action is found on Soi Bangla, which is a hive of go-go bars, discos and stage shows. This is nightlife at its most seedy, but it can be a lot of fun if you go in the right frame of mind.

Generally speaking, the bars and clubs in Patong churn out hip hop and dance music hits. It can all be a bit predictable so don’t go expecting something special.

Patong is also known for its girls. Yes, it’s true, there are countless bar girls and sex shows in Patong, but the people of Patong make no effort to conceal these facts. Patong is what it is and it’s best not to take the whole place too seriously.

Perhaps the most fun that can be had in Thailand is at some of the local clubs. nightlife is at its most authentic in the small Thai clubs, where you can check out some of the local bands. Town is probably the best place to sample some Thai-style clubbing.

Also in Town there are lots of pubs and beer bars and much less of the seedy side of nightlife.

There are plenty of other areas where you can go and party, but usually they aren’t as busy and entertaining as in Patong or Town. There are a few exceptions scattered around the island in places such as Surin, Kata-Karon and Nai Harn.

Photo by Lewi HirvelaThe only area that really lacks anything in in terms of nightlife is serious clubbing. There are a few clubs where you can hear cutting-edge music, but these are few and far between. However, it is possible to catch electro, techno, breaks, house and more in some clubs and bars.

could be a major clubbing destination in Southeast Asia, but the island has a long way to go before it can start competing with the likes of Singapore and KL.

For now, nightlife has enough depth to keep people entertained, but you feel as if there is more to come. The shining beacon of nightlife is that there is a great live-music scene around the island. There are lots of bands who can rattle out everything from rock and indie to jazz and blues. If you can get into it, there is a top indie scene in . Pick up some CDs in a local store to get a feel for the music.