Patong (Thai: ป่าตอง RTGS: Pa Tong, pronounced [pàː tɔ̄ːŋ]) refers to the beach and town on Phuket's west coast. It is the main tourist resort on the island of Phuket, and is the centre of Phuket's nightlife and shopping. The beach became popular with Western tourists, especially Europeans, in the late-1980s. It has numerous hotels and the area has expanded into a tourist place.
