If you're all about the music then you have plenty of options in Patong. There are quite a few places where the most important thing going is the tunes.Fordie hard rockers there's Rock City on the beach road, which features AC/DC and Metallica tribute bands. It may not really be Angus Young or James Hetfield, but it's a good substitute. If you'd rather snap your fingers to some cool jazz, check out Saxophone, a long 
time Bangkok favourite that has mada its way to Phuket. Molly Malone's features Celtic music nightly, Banana Club (below the disco) also features live bands, as does Margaritas, at the Rat-U-Thit/Bangla intersection Until relatively recenlty you could almost guarantee a rendition of "Hotel California" in every live music venue, but times are a changin' and a new wind is blowing through the live music scene. The old favs still get an airing out but the both the venues and the bands have really gone up a notch. Saxophone (Beach Road, north end) is the latest venue to elevate the music scene in Patong. Cloned from the original Saxophone in Bangkok, famous for its quality jazz, R&B and reggae Saxophone Phuket has some excellent musicians and a relaxed unpretentious atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can just get up and dance to quality live music and feel totally unembarrassed.
Rock City (Beach Road, north end) All you metal fans requiring your daily dose should head to Rock City. Among the head banging bands is a AC/DC tribute band that just belts it out. Various live bands pump up the volume with cover versions of Scorpions, Van Halen, Metallica and other vintage metal.
The enthusiastic house bands at Scruffy Murphy's and Molly Molone's rarely fail to rouse the crowds, while the band at 2 Black Sheep usually coaxes more than a few out to the dance floor.
Live music has also hit the beach road with the rather obvious realisation by the hotels that people like to sit out in the open and listen to live larger restaurants now offer a live band with your lobster at places like. The Port at Banthai Beach Resort, featuring a lively and talented Filipino band.
On the corner of Soi Bangla and Rat-U-Thit road, Tai Pan, Safari and Star Club all feature a mix of live and DJ-spun music. A lesser-Known spot called Relics, on Sai Namyen Rd, is very popular with local Thais and packs people in most nights.
Tarutao is the first marine park of Thailand. It is famous for its distinguished history and natural beauty.
It is located in the Andaman Sea 40 kilometres from town or 22 kilometres from Bara Pier. The park borders Mu Ko Phetra Nationl Park in the north and the Thai-Malaysian sea border in the south. The park occupies an area of 1,490 square kilometres and comprises 51 islands. Seven large islands are Ko Tarutao, Ko Adang, Ko Rawi, Ko Li Pe, Ko Klang, Ko Ba Tuang, and Ko Bit Si. Tarutao was proclaimed a Nation Park on 19 April 1974 and declared by UNESCO as an ASEAN Heritage Park and Reserve in 1982. The best time to visit is from November to April.Ko Tarutao is the biggest island in the park that covers an area of 152 square kilometres. The island is teeming with verdant forests and white sandy beaches. There are also camping and diving facility to see corals.
Penitentiary Memorial on Tarutao Island comprises two parts; Ao Talo Udang Prison is at the southern most bay of Tarutao Island and Ao Talowao Prison, a prison, a prison for common and political prisoners which is situated in the south and the east of the island.
The historical six-kilometre road trail was built by prisoners connecting Ao Talowao to Ao Talo Udang and is 12 kilometres long.
Activities on Ko Tarutao
Walking trail from the national Park Office on Ao Phante Malaka is a 12-kilometre walking trail which runs through verdant forest all the way to Ao Talowao. Various types of trees, wild animals like wild boar and mouse deer, and birds, hornbills in particular, are found along sides this trail. An eight-kilometre walking trail begins at Ao ma lae ends at Ao Son, passing through virgin forest where various kinds of birds are found. Bird-watching is ideal here.
Boat rides on a long-tail boat around island for eco-tourism es recommended. The National Park provides boat service with guides for vesitors to tour around beaches. The journey could begin with bird-watching on Ao Chak, going to see the longest white sandy beach on Tarutao Island at Ao Son, tracing historical trail on Ao Talo Udang, enjoying natural beauty on Ao Talowao, ending with diving and visiting mangrove forests. For more information on a one-day trip, contact the tourist centre at the Tarutao National Park.
Shadow puppet (Nang Talung) was one form of public entertrainment in the south of Thailand.
It is still very popular at village festivals, temple fairs and celebrations such as marriages, etc. Its characters are made from intricately cut - out and articulated shapes of leather. They are delicately coloured, but this does not show during a perforance as the puppets appear only in shadow against a white sheet, with light shining through from behind. They are manipulated with rods control movements of the arms.
Performances may have a religious theme or be an episode from the Ramayana epic which contains dozens of individual stories. They may also be specially written to include up-to-the minute reflections, songs, and poems about local events and matters of current interest in the district or country. There are hundreds of different characters each with a distinctive silhouettem, but the show will almost always include a clown, funny old man, scatter - brained old woman or rather stupid yokel, who are all great favourites with the fun - loving audiences. Nakhon Si Thammarat province has one of the town's most popular shadow puppeteers named Mr. Suchart Sapsin. Like all good Nang Talung puppet masters, he is a man of many talents. He is not only expert in the craft of making the puppets but is also an award - winning writer and poet. He is narrator, speaking or singing all the parts using different voices, and is a superb mimic. And he does all this as he manipulates the characters from behind the illuminated screen. Suchat is one of the national artists.
Venture into the World ofWater sportsThe beaches of Patong, Kata Jet SkiA Jet Ski action is obviously the most popular and sought-after water sport available on Phuket beaches. Along Patong, a small single ski or a double ski are available for rent. The choices of outings come in two time schemes of either 15 minutes or 30 minutes. While this sport requires a license to operate, and you don't have one, don't get discouraged straight away. Go ahead , hire the machine, and invade the waves with the trainer. It's not cheaper of course, but rather safer for a beginner.
Banana BoatAre the other water sports giving you the creeps? Why don't you try a Banana Boat ride? It is considered as one of the safest and cheapest kinds of water sport available along Patong Beach and the other beaches mentioned earlier. The process simply requires riders to sit on the Banana Boat which will then be pulled by the jet ski.
ParasailingThe magic of the colorful parasail hovering around the beach is inviting you to get the adrenaline pumping all over your body. The about five-minute process will require you to put on all your gears plus weights. You'll be allowed to take off of course, but not before making sure that all safety precautions are checked and met. If you're a novice to the sport, a rental staff will be asked to take off with you. This is to make sure that the round you will take will follow the direction earlier specified and a safe and smooth landing is ensured.
Unlike European style, traditional Thai massage focuses on circulation and pressure point, promoting internal health as well as muscular flexibility.
