Has Patong Changed

[Mac]

The Tsunami has changed more than the physical landscape in Patong Beach. It has, less violently and more slowly, changed the social landscape too.

Perhaps Noi and I should have taken more notice of the fact that the business class section of our flight was full. Perhaps we should have lent more weight to the 1,100 baht hotel airport transfer fee. Perhaps we should have paid more attention to the number of children’s buggies coming off the luggage belt. Perhaps the fact that the Meridien, the Amari and the Diamond Cliff were all full should have been our clue. But even the fact that the usual chaos of Phuket Airport has been replaced with a slick and efficient immigration system, which allowed us to be off the aircraft and in the taxi in less than 10 minutes, did not prepare us fully.

Our arrival at the Baan Sukhothai in the Bangla road was uneventful. The cost (8,000 baht per night plus 17% taxes) was more than we had ever paid before and the notice above reception declaring “no unregistered guests allowed at all” was a little intimidating but after an indifferent orange juice “welcome drink” Noi and I unpacked and set off to “look around”.

The first tangible evidence that something has changed is the beach. Gone are the squatters’ wooden shacks and the small stores selling unlikely souvenirs. Gone are the cooler boxes selling drinks and water melon. The terraces of the rebuilt hotels now abut the beach and look very smart. But the ubiquitous signs “registered guest only” and “no entry – private” reinforced by a security guard, apparently put them out of bounds for the casual beach stroller looking for a cup of coffee or a spot of lunch.

The second is the number of families with children walking outside our hotel in the Bangla road. The ringing cries of “hello handsum – welcome” from the Bar Girls are very muted now. Of course the families are not stopping in Bangla but are turning left and right on the beach road to eat at the smart new restaurants. And smart they are indeed. Smart and full.

The Absolute, the rebuilt Holiday Inn, the rebuilt Baan Rim Pa with the Hemple like addition of the Joe’s Downstairs cocktail and tapas bar, all afford a dining experience worthy of any international resort. Excellent food, excellent service and exclusive.

Perhaps Noi and I feel it more than most because we like Patong so much, but the plain fact is that the tourist profile has changed. The single man on a cheap ticket is being replaced by families flying business class with the money to match. Eating in smart restaurants and staying in secure hotels. So how are our old friends in the Bangla bars responding to this change. The plain fact is they are not.

It is not the bar girls’ fault. They do not stay at the Holiday Inn, and cannot visit the Baan Sukhothai or the smart new hotels. “No unregistered guests allowed”. They do not meet the families with the children. They just see that they have “no customers” and are despondent.

[LivinLOS]

100% agree.. This high season I have never seen as many couples and families in Patong..

Dont know about the no customers bit but the demographic is changing and its not getting easier for the bars.. If Jungceylon does complete with its cinemas bowling alleys, bookshops and cafe piazza it will be another big change..

[Kloymaie]

It sounds terrible to me if Patong if undergoing a change from a mans paradise to a family resort and children’s playground.
Hmm wonder who planned this development – the Thai government or…?
I will be much pleased to see good old Patong stay as always. Let the families go to Hua Hin or so!

[BigBill]

Sorry all but I do not agree that it is such a bad thing. I come at least twice a year and bring my family with me. I admit that we live a bit upmarket and do spend a lot of money however why should this be the deathknell of Patong.

I believe that both sides can co-exist quite easily. After all Bangla Road does not really get into full swing before 10pm and most families are on their way home by them. I believe that the more tourists that arrive (albeit more families) the better the prosperity of the locals.

I for one do take my kids down Bangla Road at night and my wife and I do visit bars and splash a bit of cash around. Only difference is we are not looking for BG's. I can not see the BG scene changing that much and less mongers mean more competition between BG's and might lead to cheaper prices. I think low cost accomodation is the biggest challenge but I am sure some switched on Farangs will rise to that challenge.

[K2]

Mac - well written peice, but the turning point was not the tsunami, perhaps to a degree the tsunami has accelarated changes that were already underway. In 2002 was the rurning point - for Patong 3 factors had a major impact on the 'wilder' side of Potong's nightlife.

I believe the biggest single factor is when the raised the age of girls entering bars/discos from 18 to 20 which meant that girls would spend that extra 2 years in asia-centric 'service' - thus making something like 5+ years for the average 'service' orientated girl - hence by the time they made it to the 'farang sector' they were already hardened and thus the quality/attractivelness of what was on offer dropped dramatically. To be fair there has been somewhat of an improvement in quality since the tsunami - perhaps the awareness of the wealthier tourist has made some of the smarter - language proficient 'service providers' come to Phuket in search of more lucrative spoils.

The second factor was the closure of Shark Club - following this the stagnation and concentration into 'local hands' of the club scene in Patong stiffled creativity and attractiveness for the younger 'hip crowd' who have abandoned Phuket for the more 'with it' club scene of Koh Samui. The bar scene has adapted to a degree - gone are most of the shack like bars - gone too are the bars with individual sound systems blasting to compete with each other - replaced by DJ's playing common music to the Soi. But it's true that far more couples/families are wandering the Soi's in search of entertainment.

Finally the 'erratic business climate' - the sometimes unpredictable way in which nightlife venues have been treated in respect of closong times has not helped attract the single (higher spending) guy - through 2003 to the tsunami Pating closed down from 1am - 4am +, whereas other destinations - Philipinnes, Cambodia, Cuba etc lack such restrictive practices and realise that toursits are here for fun and R&R do not relish being told when to go to bed. Post tsunami has seen a more elightened approach and the powers that be must see the positive effect this has had on Patong, but who knows or can predict what is in the pipeline.

Certainly Kamala, Surin, to a lesser extent Karon. Kata, Rawai and Chalong are shifting to more family centric centers, but Patong is still a draw for many who don't want the 'in your face' pressure of Pattya and it is a beutiful island - hopefully a balance will be preserved so that all can find a slice of paradise. I agree its not like the old days, but with a little effort and research fun times can be had by all.

[visa2003]

A question for Mac. You didn't happen to notice where all these family types were form did you?
I have a theory that many of them would have been Australian. After the 2 bombings events in Bali, I think that many Ozzies have given up on the place and as Phuket is basically the next closest and cheapest alternative, they go there instead.
I was suprised at the frequency of which I heard Ozzie accents in Patong last October and talked to a few of them(mostly couples!). Their travel agents had recommended Phuket as an alternative and those people seemed to be having such a great time that I am sure they went home and told their friends.
I HATE TO SAY IT BUT MAYBE OUR SECRET IS OUT!!!!!!!

[Coyotee]

I had also seen the changes but it is of no surprise to me at all! Phuket in Malaysia is marketed as a family destination. Malaysians if they want to go for mongering either go to Bangkok, Pattaya or Hatyai. Phuket is not known or seen as a place for its nightlife. FYI Even my regular barber/hairdresser is bringing all her staff to Phuket for a family holiday with their kids in March. They asked me where to go...thinking of their children, i suggested Fantasia, Karon Beach etc...i also suggested Joe's Place for a nice seaview. They also asked about James Bond island etc.

M

[Hobbsy]

I agree M, that Phuket is primarily a family destination but Patong itself (rather than Phuket as a whole) is seeing more and more families and couples.

I don't see this as a particularly bad thing but you definately see a packed Bangla Road every night but not many of the families/couples venture down the Sois to the bars.

As for where the families are from it really is a wide selection. There were a lot of brits over the xmas period but they seem to have been replaced with Scandinavians and Aussies. There are also a lot of Singaporeans and Japanese at the mo.

[steve@thaib]

I noticed this, and said so, when I was in Patong in July 2004. July / August are school holidays in the UK and flights are generally full, and expensive. There were plenty of basic hotels with availability, but the mid and top range were very busy. They were also pretty enthusiastic about whacking on the old joiner fee too.

I think the reasons for it are far more complex than the wave, as K2 said. From our (UK) perspective longhaul travel itself is becoming more popular; it's safe, cheap and people are wealthier than ever before. People want more than Spain, and Thailand is accessible. It's also where BA/Qantas route their Australia flights so would make sense for a stopover on the way to Oz.

My take on it back in 2004 was that the 'naughty' nightlife would become more marginalised, pushed back off Bangla into the Sois. Personally, I don't see this as neccessarily a bad thing and it will become even more marginal when (if) Jungceylon opens.

[Petter]

As for where the families are from it really is a wide selection. There were a lot of brits over the xmas period but they seem to have been replaced with Scandinavians and Aussies. There are also a lot of Singaporeans and Japanese at the mo

.

We did had discussions on this afther the Tsunami.
Many was afraid the tourist was not comming back and the business was not good.
And some of us wrote that it was a big marketing up
here for family travels to Phuket and the travel industry estimated it would be back to normal very soon and even more people woud go to Phuket.
And yes it is,its cheaper now to go to Phuket then go to Spain for a family hollyday.In Octobet some friends did pay 375 Euro for 14 days with hotel/ea
And Thai is having a big marketing and advertising campagn to get publicity about Phuket as a holyday
destination for familys with children.
So up here Thailand and Phuket is the new Spain .
And the travel agencys says it only will grow and
next year Phuket is number one family destination.
In Sweden it has been for years.And when you talk to people everybody want to go to Thailand instead of Greece and Spain and how nice people are,how cheap it is and bla bla.
So what you see here is just the result of the massive campagn the Thai goverment and the travel
industry have done.
And its a success because comared to Spain its make people to feel that they had have a adventure to talk about when they come home,and the word goes.

But can we criticise them

[Coyotee]

I feel it is a good thing....for me....as when i told my friends or my family members or even my collegues and boss that i am going to Phuket, no questions asked...just be careful when diving, enjoy the seafood, buy souveniors for them, nice beaches, good thai massages etc but nothing mentioned about bgs or the nightlife! It is a normal vacation trip...but to tell them i am going to Pattaya or hatyai..it will get a different response.

M

[Crustasian]

The whole issue about cleaning up Phuket and aiming at the family market has been around for the last few years.

One forward thinking Thai politician on the island came up with a very simple solution.He suggested that Patong Beach remains the entertainment area while the other beaches would be promoted as family destinations.

This way families have their good holidays and the single travellers have theirs without causing upsets to any party.

I also agree that we are enjoying a larger number of Aussie tourists than normal because of all Bali's problems.

[butterflyblonde]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

The whole issue about cleaning up Phuket and aiming at the family market has been around for the last few years.

.

Hi Crustasian,

I was going to post before, T.A.T have been aiming for this for a while and I remember reading threads on this forum a long time ago to that effect.

We all predicted then that they will not eliminate the bar scene from patong and I still think this today.

I also agree with a previous poster, any business is good business for phuket in light of the Tsunami.

[nelsonone]

In all of my time of coming to Phuket I have never seen it busier than over this last Xmas/NY period.....and yes there were more couples + families than I had ever seen before too

I think the majority of the increase was European rather than Australian but I agree many Australian families love the relaxed beach holiday for their Summer/Xmas holiday............and the Bali situation has them worried..

I liked the busyness and friendlier atmosphere that this created but the prices were also groaning with the weight of this.........the level of the divers was the worst I have ever experienced though and I spent my time underwater counting heads and pulling inexperienced divers by the flippers

For diving I will be giving it a miss over this period in the future..........

[visa2003]

Originally Posted by Malaysian

I feel it is a good thing....for me....as when i told my friends or my family members or even my collegues and boss that i am going to Phuket, no questions asked...just be careful when diving, enjoy the seafood, buy souveniors for them, nice beaches, good thai massages etc but nothing mentioned about bgs or the nightlife! It is a normal vacation trip...but to tell them i am going to Pattaya or hatyai..it will get a different response.

M

I find it amazing how many people don't realise that Phuket is part of Thailand!!! It just does not seem to have the same connotations as when you say you are going to Bangkok!(ie Sex tourist!)
It's much the same as Bali in that many Ozzies didn't realise Bali was part of Indoneasia until all these drug trials started. Maybe that is the fault of package deals, in that you don't have to know anything about the place in which you are holidaying because everything is included.

[Gloryfan]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

I also agree that we are enjoying a larger number of Aussie tourists than normal because of all Bali's problems.

I have to agree with Crustacian in regard to the Bali effect. For about 20 years Bali has been by far the most popular destination for holiday makers from Perth. The appeal of Bali dropped severely after the second lot of terrorist attacks late last year. I have met so many locals in Perth who have gone to Phuket over the past few months, prominently families or couples, who would have normally gone to Bali instead and there are many more on their way to Phuket in the coming months.

There have been some good points raised already on this thread and the Bali issue would certainly be a factor in my opinion.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Gloryfan

I have to agree with Crustacian in regard to the Bali effect. For about 20 years Bali has been by far the most popular destination for holiday makers from Perth. The appeal of Bali dropped severely after the second lot of terrorist attacks late last year. I have met so many locals in Perth who have gone to Phuket over the past few months, prominently families or couples, who would have normally gone to Bali instead and there are many more on their way to Phuket in the coming months.

There have been some good points raised already on this thread and the Bali issue would certainly be a factor in my opinion.

Are they preferring Thailand to Bali ?

[stevem]

I have been saying this for sometime now, but no one listened. Years ago we saw the exact same changes happen on Samui, must've been around 1997 to 1998 time frame. The entire demographic of visitors to the island changed, instead of heaps of young single groups of guys, we started seeing couples and families.

This all started after the airlines apparently discovered Samui and started packaging the hell out of the island. Even the restaurants in Chaweng were hurting, as visitors to the island where also just eating in the hotels/resorts, as they had food included in package prices.

We were lucky and managed to sell the bar there and got out and moved to Patong. This is what I was starting to see happen to Patong as well.

[shark1963]

I cant compare the past as i have just ben one time in phuket but imo a change to more family tourism would be under the line better for phuket. I dont think that the nightlife will disappear. Maybe over the time it will move. The nightlife does not need the beaches, so i dont know. But what is good or bad for phuket cant be seen only from the point of nightlife. But as long as there is a market there will always be the nightlife too. As i heared from my thai friends phuket has always been upmarket priced, so its just going a longer development and nothing which has to do with the tsunami.
I agree to the post that the tourism is searching for safe places to go and they are getting more less every year. Former destinations are not save anymore due to terrorism or crime. and also in SEA the places are getting less. Not to forget what has been in the south of LOS and is still going? Any info how is it now?
So cross the world the muslim tourist countries ,with some exaptions,will get less imho. to return to the question, i think in long term its a benefit for phuket and whole LOS.

[Coyotee]

Originally Posted by Bono

So steve, where is the next place to go to, if it was you

555555 isn't it obvious Steve is now in Sydney!

M

[Mr Floatplane]

I suppose Phuket has never ceased changing since westerns began arriving.
-Amazing to think the Bangla Rd was still a mud track between coconut trees in 1981 !
-The budget backpacker blazes the trail and slowly the jet-set and Hilton hotels follow….Happens the world over and will continue to do so until there are no places left.
Are there bargirls on mars?

[Nicke]

Karon/Kata has always been a very big destination for Swedish families and couples since 12 years when charter flights started to fly here. Whats changing is that Patong get more of that kind of trourists, and this high season I had more couples/families than ever before in MTB.

I remember Swedish travel agencies excluded Patong few years back because this was more nightlife/girls area of Phuket and they didnt want to promote Patong beach, but still promoted Karon/Kata, Khao Lak, Koh Lanta, Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Krabi.

Another reason is that single men has to compete with families/couples to get flights, and this year the flight tickets has been more expensive than previous years. Can that be a reason? Another possible reason is that single men travel all year round these days, and maybe avoid the main family time frame of the year.

In any case, we can see we get more families and couples to Patong but I dont think the nightlife will disappear, many families/couples also enjoys the nightlife and single men will always be around anyway, is my guess.