Bang Tao, Phuket

Bang Tao is a long beach on Phuket's north-west coast, north of Kamala, with resorts, a beach club and a laid-back feel. It is a longer drive from Patong, so it works as a base for quiet days. Visitors who want nightlife usually travel south.

Quiet, with beach-club evenings and a few bars. The bigger draws are the beach clubs and resorts, and the crowd is mostly couples, families and holidaymakers. There is no red-light strip, so it is a calm place for a drink at sunset and an early night. Patong is the place for a full night out.

No. Bang Tao has no red-light hub and no gogo bars in the listings. The adult side is a single nightclub, NNY Club, and 6 massage shops, which you should look over before going in. Bangla Road in Patong is the nearest red-light area, a drive away.

Of 19 places, 12 are bars, 6 are massage shops and 1 is a nightclub. Catch Beach Club, The Goat Bar, Reggae Bar and Freedom Bar are among the bars, and NNY Club is the nightclub. There are no markets or sights listed, so the district is a small, simple list.

Both are quiet north-west beaches, but Bang Tao is the larger, with 19 listings against 11, a beach club and a nightclub. Nai Thon Beach is smaller and more secluded, with mostly massage shops. Bang Tao has more going on in the evening, while Nai Thon suits a peaceful stay.

Stay in Bang Tao for a resort-style beach base and quiet nights, planning rides to Patong for nightlife. A sundowner at a beach club is the standard start to the evening. If you hope to bring a guest back, check the resort's policy before booking.

By taxi, Grab or Bolt, since there is no metro and the beach is some distance from Patong. The airport is to the north, so the transfer is shorter than going south. Agree fares first for tuk-tuks and local taxis, which quote high, and avoid scooters after drinks.

Beach-club bills and long rides home. Check a table or bed minimum before you sit, and book your return ride before the night ends, as taxis are scarce and expensive late. In the rainy season the surf can be dangerous, so swim only when the flags allow it.