Woranuj Maneerungsee www.bangkokpost.com

brought to you by www.12phuket.com

NICE GUY EDDIE: Okay, everybody cough up green for the little lady. C’mon, throw in a buck.

MR PINK: Uh-uh. I don’t tip.

NICE GUY EDDIE: Whaddaya mean you don’t tip?

MR PINK: I don’t believe in it.

NICE GUY EDDIE: You don’t believe in tipping?MR WHITE: I love this kid; he’s a madman, this guy.

MR BLONDE: Do you have any idea what these ladies make? They make s***.

MR PINK: Don’t give me that. She don’t make enough money, she can quit.

NICE GUY EDDIE: I don’t even know a Jew who’d have the balls to say that. So let’s get this straight - you never ever tip?

MR PINK: I don’t tip because society says I gotta. I tip when somebody deserves a tip. When somebody really puts forth an effort, they deserve a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, that’s for the birds. As far as I’m concerned, they’re just doin’ their job.

I agree to some extent with Mr Pink, the character played by Steve Buscemi in Reservoir Dogs, the 1992 breakthrough film by Quentin Tarantino. Should I tip - especially after I have just paid a 10% service charge? I assume the service charge goes to the staff working in the restaurant as some sort of “guaranteed” tip. If that’s the case, why should I give a further tip?

Tipping is relatively new to Bangkok. Our normal custom after a meal is simply to leave some loose change on the table. A 2,000 baht dinner, a pile of one baht coins for the tip - it’s nothing to be frowned upon. But these days, not just a “reasonable” tip is expected; there’s this thing called a “10% service charge”. What’s that all about? Keep in mind, I am talking about better quality restaurants, not street-side som tam.

Lek, 26, a waitress at a long-established and successful medium-priced Chinese restaurant in Thong Lor, says her total income is about 5,500 baht a month, including the fixed 1,000 baht share of the service charge. Tips from customers amount to less than 300 baht. “Basically, customers do not tip a lot since they see the service charge at the end of the bill,” said Lek, who has worked at the restaurant for three years.

It’s normal practice for Thai customers to inspect every single line of a bill - and if we see “service charge” we normally tip less or not at all.

The restaurant in question employs 15 staff and adds a 10% service charge. A customer could presume that all of the service charge goes to the staff, right? Divided among the waiting staff, the bus boys, the receptionists, the kitchen staff, etc? But if that is the case, why is Ms Lek paid a “fixed” 1,000 baht?

Are we to presume all 15 staff get 1,000 baht each, for a total of 15,000 baht in service charges per month? Does that mean a long established, successful, medium-priced Chinese restaurant in the ever-so busy and trendy hub of Thong Lor makes only 150,000 baht a month? Not likely. The staff are only getting a small slice of the service charge cake.

Lek has a year-and-a-half to finish her BA in political science at an open university. She earns 211 baht per day, just eight baht more than the minimum wage. She works 26 days a month. And the restaurant is pocketing most of the service charge, leaving her with a measly 5,500 baht a month in overall income?

Does this also mean that I, as the customer, am paying more for the food I consume than the price listed on the menu because not all the added 10% included as a service charge is going to the person directly providing the service? Lek plans to leave the restaurant and work at a bakery, which pays better, once she finishes her schooling.

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WHY TIP?

It is widely believed that tipping came to Thailand with the return the first Thai students who studied in Europe about 50 years ago. When they came home, they brought not only their acquired knowledge but the “civilised” practice of tipping as well.

According to the New York Times, quoting the book Tipping by Kerry Segrave, the habit probably dates back to Tudor England (1485-1603). At the end of this period, guests spending a night at a private residence were expected to give some money, known as “vails”, to the servants of the house. Soon after this, customers began tipping at London coffee houses and other establishments. One frequented by author Samuel Johnson had a bowl with the words “To Insure Promptitude” on it, and this is believed have been abbreviated to “tip”.

Tipping began as a practice of the rich, a sprinkle of small change for social inferiors, and it quickly spread among the upper classes of Europe. Yet even in the early days, tipping produced feelings of resentment.

In the US, the practice may have started after the Civil War, when the wealthy began to travel to Europe. Just like Thai students 100 years later, they brought back tipping from Europe as a sign of their worldliness.

But unlike Europeans, people in the US did not have a deep-rooted tradition of noblesse oblige, and so opposition to tipping grew. In 1904, the Anti-Tipping Society of America sprang up in Georgia, and its 100,000 members signed pledges not to tip anyone. Meanwhile, in Europe the British government passed a law in 1943 establishing a minimum wage for service staff that helped to do away with their reliance on tips. In 1955, France passed a law requiring restaurants to add a service charge (service compris) to bills, something that has since become the norm in many countries.

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WHY A 10% SERVICE CHANGE?

The service charge was probably introduced to Thailand by the hotel industry, according to Thai Restaurant Association president Pavornwan Koonmongkol. At first it was confined to hotels and fine dining establishments, but later spread to more medium-priced restaurants.

Srayuth Ekahitanonda, a founder of the Let’s Sea beachfront restaurant and the boutique hotel Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort, believes it is necessary for service providers to charge customers for good service, as restaurant owners invest time and capital to train staff to develop a “service mind”.

“You [diners] should have to pay a service charge if it is the rule which tells you clearly that the meal is subject to service charge,” Mr Srayuth said.

“But whether the service charge is justified or not is another question. Some places provide you with a very impressive experience, so that you might think paying a 10% service charge is not an issue.”

According to Pornsiri Rojmeta, managing director of the Greyhound restaurant chain, including a service charge in the bill is a way of lifting standards at a restaurant. When she and her friends decided to run a restaurant, they determined that the service must be of international standard. Part of this includes imposing a service charge.

Ms Pornsiri also believes a service charge motivates staff to work harder and give better quality service.

Wan, an ex-office worker, remembers well which restaurants around her office included a 10% service charge on the bill, and it influenced her tipping habits. She tips less in restaurants with a service charge.

“But even so, I always tip. I feel guilty if I don’t,” she said.

Another office worker, Poo, said she doesn’t tip if a 10% service charge shows up on the bill. However, she will make an exception if the service is first class.

In the US, service charges vary from 12% to 20%, with 10% the norm in the UK.

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HOW MUCH DO THE STAFF GET?

Sarisa Narupakorn, owner of the Kampoon Isan restaurant at Central World, uses a 70:30 ratio when dividing the service charge among staff. The larger portion goes to the staff, the rest to the restaurant to pay for interior design, maintenance and cover breakages.

“This creates and improves the fine atmosphere for customers, as the restaurant considers it an important part of a good restaurant,” she said.

Greyhound’s Ms Pornsiri gives the staff 75% of the takings while the rest goes to the restaurant’s upkeep.

The waiters at these restaurants earn about 8,000 baht a month, 6,000 baht of which is salary and 2,000 baht their share of the service charge. They also earn extra from tips.

Let’s Sea’s Mr Srayuth has a different policy. He gives all of the service charge to the staff.

“It’s an incentive to staff to maintain high service quality and minimise turnover,” he said.

Mr Srayuth tells of restaurant owners who are dishonest. Some promise job applicants a guaranteed share of the service charge once the restaurant is up and running, but then withhold the payment with the excuse that business is not as profitable as they had hoped.

Ms Sarisa said some restaurants appear to price their food very competitively and include a service charge even though the quality of the restaurant and its service is not up to scratch.

Thai Restaurant Association president Ms Pavornwan said complaints about unfair service charges were getting more vociferous.

She said many restaurants should not be levying a service charge since they do not meet with the required standards.

Ms Pavornwan thinks there should be a national standard for the restaurant industry covering not just service but hygiene as well.

This is not just for the customer’s sake, but so the restaurant operators can compete with foreign-run establishments.

If consumers become more vocal in their complaints, she said, perhaps the Internal Trade Department would place standards governing service charges under the Goods and Service Act.

“No consumers have complained about service charges on the hotline number,” one Internal Trade Department official told Brunch. He said if a restaurant tells the customer there is a service charge then there should not be any reason to complain.

But service charges do remove the element of reward. Tipping good service is a form of recognition, withholding a tip a punishment. The choice rests with the customer.

Brought to you by One-2-Property www.12property.com

At the recently opened Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket in Thailand, preventative wellness is a fundamental component that is built into every guest’s personalised multi-day programme or Life Passage. Elevating this to the next level, Six Senses has created The Wellness Wheel to provide a complete wellness solution that assists with holistic integration and guiding guests towards a lifestyle of sustainable health, wellness, happiness and personal growth.

The Wellness Wheel introduces twelve key dimensions of wellness that influence and respond to one another in an ongoing process. The coaching programme supporting The Wellness Wheel allows guests to understand how to make specific aspects of wellness active in every life choice, activity and belief. The programme starts during the stay at the Six Senses Destination Spa and continues long after the guest leaves by providing feedback, insights, and guidance on the guest’s lifestyle.

The web-based coaching programme was developed in cooperation with a US-based company, and includes assessment, guidance and follow-up support. Starting with an in-depth online questionnaire based on twelve key dimensions, guests record their answers to a number of statements relating to their well-being. Guests then judge and record their level of satisfaction about their responses.

The twelve key dimensions comprise of Self-Responsibility and Love, Breathing, Sensing, Eating, Moving, Feeling, Thinking, Playing and Working, Communicating, Intimacy, Finding Meaning, and Transcending.

Upon completion of the questionnaire, guests receive 1) a Wellness Score, 2) a Satisfaction Score, and 3) an Areas-of-Strength Analysis. Holistic consultants then guide guests on how the different dimensions influence each other, and how to re-balance areas that are weak, how to promote areas of dissatisfaction, and possibly how to predispose areas relating to disease. Following the analysis, guests create an action plan with specific objectives and initiatives to provide a practical gateway for change and growth.

After departure from the resort, guests log into their newly created personal webpage where they have access to resources relating to wellness including relevant health advice matching their personal plan and a self-study area providing an opportunity to further explore each dimension. Additionally, an online journal function is available where The Wellness Wheel directs email reminders to guests to inspire and encourage them toward completing their action plans.

The personal action plan can be re-evaluated and re-aligned at any time depending on the individual’s stage of transformation. Whilst at the resort, guests have access to certified wellness coaches; six months after the original assessment, guests have the option of taking another test to review their level of wellness to ascertain if they may benefit from further adjustments in their lives.

Buzz www.12buzz.com and Archer www.archeremc.com are setting up to start filming TV specials around Phuket Thailand in 2009. The specials are set to  start in Thailand’s premier tourist destination Phuket and  will feature Travel, Lifestyle and Environmental themes.

Heading up production from Archer will be Michael Selsman regular editor/author at One-2-Orient,

Michael Selsman has been an executive or producer at 20th Century-Fox, Paramount, MGM, Universal, and Samuel Goldwyn Productions, at Goldwyn Studios. He has been a studio and independent producer, and a theatrical agent with Artists Agency Corporation, now ICM, and with famed literary agent, Irving Paul Lazar. He is considered an expert source on international entertainment and has been quoted in such publications as Time, Newsweek, TV Guide, and in various newspapers and books on the subjects of contracts and changing mores and social values in the media and commenting on Hollywood studio history.

Michael has also appeared on national and international television programs, and has appeared as an expert witness in court for various Hollywood guilds, and has also been retained to evaluate film libraries, examining the film product, recommending necessary restorative and preservation techniques, assessing existing distribution contracts in terms of future value, and suggesting new modes of product dissemination, including estimating any particular film’s importance as a re-make, or sequel. He consults with entertainment industry attorneys to refresh or amend agreements and talent agents and/or guilds to obtain waivers for royalties or to contract for additional work.

Michael has guest-lectured at schools and universities including UCLA, USC, Pepperdine University, Mount St. Mary’s and Loyola.

David Wardlow, Production President

David Wardlow began his entertainment industry career at the Warner Brothers studio, following which he joined the William Morris Agency. He then became an agent at Chasin-Park-Citron, a division of Marvin Josephson and Associates, which became International Creative Management (ICM).

David was instrumental in pioneering unique film financing in Asia, and in Hong Kong, negotiated a funding arrangement with Raymond Chow, chairman of Golden Harvest, Asia’s largest film distributor.

He then became Senior Vice President in charge of Production at United Artists, a subsidiary of MGM.

David co-founded the literary and talent agency, Camden Artists, before founding Wardlow and Associates, which represents writers, producers and directors and oversees the estates of Truman Capote, Joseph E. Levine, of Embassy Pictures, and Leslie Charteris, creator and author of the internationally-known “The Saint,” series of novels, movies and television series.

Buzz staff will be organizing locations, story lines, talent and local film crews.

About Filming in Thailand

Thailand’s reputation lies in the canny combination of competitive cost and experienced local crews, while the diverse locations, from the mountainous north to the southern islands, have long fascinated foreign filmmakers.

In terms of value-for-money quality of crew, the country offers perhaps the best deal in Asia: Cost could be as much as 50% lower than shooting in the U.S., and Thai technicians can custom-make anything from Chinese mafia dens to Scandinavian ice caves. Indeed, the Weinstein Co.’s “Shanghai” had the entire Port of Shanghai circa 1940 built at a Bangkok backlot only months after the pic’s permit got revoked in China.

The world-famous post-production services in Thailand caps the list of attractions. Earlier this year, the government approved in principle the plan to offer tax rebates for film shoots, though the actual effect won’t kick in until next year at the soonest. There’s also a blueprint of a tax-free Movie Zone to pull in foreign investors, although again the physical result has yet to materialize.

Beaches are one of the top favorites for visiting productions, but instead of sticking to the hot spots like Phuket or Krabi, smaller, low-key provinces in the south like Trang and Phang-nga offer the same pristine scenery for much lower cost.

Day 1: Arrive Phuket

Sri panwa will collect you by chauffeur driven limousine and deliver you to your private Sri panwa Villa as our guest, there you can relax in grand style overlooking the many islands of the Andaman Sea. If you prefer we can pre book a luxurious Spa treatment to help you recover from your flight. Treatments can be enjoyed either in our professional treatment rooms at Sai Spa or in the comfort and privacy of your own villa.

Day 2: Sri panwa, Phuket to Phang Na Bay to Krabi:
26 nautical miles.

After a breakfast at Baba cruise North from the Sri panwa Hotel to the spectacular rock formations of Phang Na Bay. Cast anchor for lunch with the world famous James Bond Island  as a backdrop, if you like we can organize a kayak tour through the heart of the surreal uninhabited islands to discover stunning caves such as Koh Hong. An early evening cruise to Krabi delivers you to one of the many restaurants along Phra Nang, or if you prefer, a stunning seafood moonlit dinner can be prepared on board .

Day 3: Krabi to Phi Phi Islands: 18 nautical miles

Scuba or Snorkel in the intensely colored coral reefs abundant around Phi Phi Le and climb the amazing karst limestone lookouts for a stunning panoramic view pf the Andaman. Phi Phi Don, the larger of the Phi Phi Islands, has idyllic tropical beaches lining its southern and eastern shores. Phi Phi offers several 5 star hotels with night clubs and restaurants, you may wish to have a leisurely dinner and stroll the beaches ashore or dine on board selecting from the finest of local fresh ingredients.

Day 4: Phi Phi Islands to Nai Harn Bay, Phuket: 32 nautical miles

Cruise to the southern coastline of Phuket, blessed with magnificent mountains covered with lush jungle forests that stretch out to meet the azure blue sea. Enjoy the white powdery sand beaches fringed with coral reefs. Anchor in Patong Bay and dine at any of the Patong’s restaurants. Patong is the centre of Phuket’s nightlife and is filled with clubs and entertainment venues.

Days 5 and 6: Phuket to Ko Similan: 50 nautical miles

Discover the unspoiled low-lying Similan Islands northwest of Phuket, with their great underwater boulders of smooth granite lying in jumbles along the shoreline. The surrounding clear blue waters are home to some of the most spectacular coral growths in the world, ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. This national park region is one of the few remaining untouched regions of the world.

Day 7: Ko Similan to Patong, Phuket: 40 nautical miles

Cruise towards Phuket and spend the day kayaking and snorkeling in the bay off the Meridian Hotel before heading for the bustling nightlife along Soi Bangla.

Day 8: Patong to Sri panwa, Phuket: 20 nautical miles

Spend the day discovering Phuket’s beautiful coastline before cruising towards the serenity of Sri panwa for disembarkation. Further down, the coastline of Thailand gives way to the Malaysian peninsula and the beautiful island of Langkawi. Spend a second week exploring the vibrant reefs and tropical wildlife of the Langkawi archipelago.

Day 9:  Depart Sri panwa

9 Days 2 people  aboard 180ft $120,000

100ft $50,000

68ft   $57,000

62ft  $25,000

57ft  $16,000

Additional Charge per person is available on request.

123/29 M.5 T. Cherngtalay
A. Talang Phuket Thailand 83110
Tel. +6676 326 318
Fax +6676 326 319
Hotline +6680 700 7900

sales@12property.com

www.12phuket.com

brought to you by www.12property.com

Stylish apartments and penthouses are now available for rent at Phuket’s luxury lifestyle yachting community, Royal Phuket Marina. Visitors and holiday-makers can now rent luxury waterside apartments for a romantic getaway, a long weekend among friends or family vacations at Asia’s most unique maritime resort from US$250 a night.

With 5-star amenities, the fully-serviced residences include 4-bedroom penthouses with private rooftop pools and gardens, along with 2 and 3-bedroom apartments with pool decks and balconies beside an infinity-edged swimming pool.

Two-bedroom ‘marina and pool view’ apartments of 154 sqm are priced from US$250 a night - up to US$400 in the high season, or US$1,500-2,400 a week.

Two-bedroom ‘pool deck’ apartments are from US$250-500 a night, and US$1,500-3,000 a week.

Three-bedroom ‘marina view’ residences are from US$400-600 a night, and US$2,400-3,600 a week.

Four-bedroom split-level penthouses priced from US$600-800 a night and US$3,600-4,800 a week provide a perfect private holiday retreat, perched atop the four-storey complex with spectacular panoramic views.

Along with full servicing, the rental packages can also incorporate boat hire, to explore the myriad of deserted tropical paradise islands in the Andaman Sea on the marina’s doorstep. Monthly rates are also available.

On the Boardwalk beside the marina is an array of trendy bars and restaurants, while pampering is available at the Pearl spa, and designer shopping at stylish boutiques. Facilities also include flood lit tennis courts and health club, while Phuket’s main shopping district and five golf courses, including the famous Blue Canyon, are nearby.

Thailand may sound far but consider that the British seem to think nothing of hopping over to that tropical kingdom. It’s worth it once you get there: warm hospitality, deliciously spiced food, gentle water, sandy beaches and islands galore.  Ko Phi Phi, or Phi Phi island is still one of the most idyllic.  Located just 30 minutes by speedboat from either Phuket or Krabi, people question whether these pretty little roadless isles, immortalized in the film The Beach, are overexposed.  Meanwhile, cleaned-up and considerably less congested since the tragedy of the December 2004 tsunami, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley (a marine preserve) continue to be a unique hot spot, mixing nubile backpackers with wealthy jet-setters.  There’s no debate about Ko Phi Phi’s enduring natural beauty: sugar sand set off by turquoise waters and limestone cliffs, healthy coral reefs and multiplying populations of tropical fish.

The emerging country of Vietnam is alive with the electric energy of youth.  Half the country is under the age of 25, and willing to forgive and forget the country’s troubled past.  And with 2,000 miles of coastline, Vietnam’s many beaches beckon. China Beach is still among the best. Once a surf spot and escape for American GIs, this generously wide, seemingly endless, historic stretch between DaNang and Hoi An has now been reborn as a tony civilian destination (it’s also home of the priciest resort in all of Vietnam, the gilded Nam Hai). The combination of South China Sea swell, two UNESCO World Heritage sites and two thriving cities nearby, has made China Beach the R&R capital of Vietnam, but best of all, the U.S. dollar is still strong here. 

Indonesia’s reputation as an exotic beach destination remains unmarred and sexy Aussies flock here. Coeds prefer the more obvious Kuta Beach, but sexy grown-ups consider Dreamland Beach—an up-and-coming spot on the Bukit Peninsula—the most beautiful beach in the entire country. About 30 minutes’ drive from Kuta (and now with impending development, nicknamed “New Kuta Beach”), Dreamland has traditionally been accessed through Tommy Suharto, son of former President Suharto’s, abandoned property. Previously, your only options while watching the spectacular sunset were basic pretty basic cafes and local shops, but with the junior Suharto now building a tony new resort, if the beach isn’t dreamy enough for you, new gourmet and pampering options will likely to impress.

If you’re looking to get off the mainland and totally off the beaten track in Indonesia, Trawangan Gili, the largest of the three Gili islands, is just 25 minutes by ferry off the coast of Lombok. What makes this island sexy is its unplugged, “Age of Aquarius” vibe. Magic mushrooms are legal for sale, raves on the beach under the moonlight are not uncommon, and you can circumnavigate this undeveloped sandy islet in under two hours and be sure to find a private nook. The natural highs include spectacular snorkeling and dive sights, including the Trawangan Slope off the Southeast coast, Sunset Reef and Shark Point off the West coast, and the appropriately named Jammin’ Reef off the south coast.

White Beach, a three mile long expanse, located 20 minutes northwest by ferry on Boracay Island from neighboring Panay Island, has exceptionally white, talcum powder-soft sand that’s so fine, somehow it never gets too hot for bare feet. Ringed by hip cafes, hotels and shops, this is the see-and-be-seen beach for locals, so its best avoided during Philippine holidays. Also, with heavy gusts year-round, it’s the most popular spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding.  This small bow-shaped isle is only one of 7,000 that make up this island nation, but after dark, the clubs and discos here are legendary.

Who says the temples of Siem Reap is the only reason to visit Cambodia?  Follow up that intense cultural high with some down time at Serendipity Beach in Cambodia’s version of Phuket—Sihanoukville. A 25-minute flight from Siem Reap or two hours’ drive from Phenom Penh, Cambodia’s main resort town is a collection of very social beaches and little islands, but the crowds are centered along the aptly named Serendipity. Cheap eats, drinks, accommodations, jet skis, and other noisy, boisterous potential high-jinks are the main draw here, though for a nominal taxi ride, you can head a little further on to commune with nature at Ream National Park. And if you’re more “flashpacker” than backpacker, check out the scene at the top-rated Sohka Beach Resort.

In a country not known for beaches as much as shopping malls and other manmade wonders, Sentosa Island’s three beaches are a very pleasant surprise. Palawan is for families, and Siloso is an intense beach volleyball haven. But Tanjong Beach is where the most fashionable urbanites head to lay out on wooden sunbeds (under umbrellas, of course, as is the tradition here), sip cocktails and catch-up on their reading. Couples also gather here at night to stroll along the beach and watch the twinkling lights in the harbour. Food, bars and of course, shopping options are plentiful, and you might even venture to Underwater World, a magnificent oceanarium with a moving walkway through a clear acrylic viewing tunnel.

Proximity to the city—it’s a mere 10-minute drive from Muara—makes Serasa Beach the retreat of choice in the business-minded kingdom of Brunei. One of the wealthiest countries in Asia thanks to its natural oil and gas resources, the high standard of living in the country is reflected here in the landscaped beach park, its modern facilities, and a devotion to recreation. Here urbanites take to the water, jet-skiing, kayaking, windsurfing, regatta sailing, power boat racing, aqua sports training and water skiing. The nearby Serasa Watersports Complex has comprehensive instruction and equipment rentals, and even hosts international competitions, which are very popular with the amped-up crowds, who don’t seem much impressed just with the golden sand and crystal clear water.

One-2-Property www.12property.com www.12phuket www.phuketpropertygroup.com www.phuketproperty.us

today signed the exclusive rights to sell one of Patong’s few truely beachfront hotels. Over 3.5 acres of direct beachfront

with over 130 operating rooms and 2.5 acres of undeveloped land on the beach.  At around only US$16m for a site that can easily

sustain 450 to 500 rooms in Phuket’s busiest tourist area of Patong.

As with all One-2-Property Development sites Financing and Terms available to approved applicants.

Patong, a hot favourite tourist destination in Thailand, is located on Phuket island. The place has perfect recipe for almost every tourist. Idyllic beaches, astounding adventures, diverse shopping opportunities, electrifying nightlife, the place has something for everyone. Peculiar experiences like watching a Thai boxing match or a night time bungy jump can also be enjoyed in Patong.

Butterfly Garden and Aquarium
The huge open-air enclosure, assisted by lovely waterfalls and lush scenery, is the home of thousands of colorful butterflies. Information about the fascinating life cycle of butterflies and tours of butterfly breeding rooms are included in the itinerary. The attraction of the place is enhanced by a aquarium with landscaped tanks featuring live coral gardens.

Adventure and Water Sports
Patong, a haven for adventure tourists, presents a gamut of adventure activities like scuba diving, jet skis, parasailing, bungee jumping, etc. which can make the hair on one’s body stand with excitement. Visitors in Patong love swimming, for the beach is reputed to be very safe. The sea is very calm between November to March. However, during August, September and October, sports like body surfing and boogie boarding are favored by the tourists.

Snorkelling is also a popular sport among tourists. Enjoying around the small caves and offshore reefs in Patong is an experience which always remains in memory. Visitors also relish sailing and windsurfing.

Spa

 Patong provides every type of massage treatment. One can experience soothing and refreshing massage after hectic day. Masseurs, though not very much trained, offer relaxing and inexpensive services. Patong massage centers have plethora of services like spa, sports massage, Swedish massage, herbal baths, steam baths and several local beauty treatments. No Patong tour can be complete without spa and massage.

Shopping
No tourist in Patong forgets to enjoy shopping. Bright colors of Patong can be taken home in the form of Batik goods. Items like shirts, sarongs, bags and clothing represent local colors and themes. High quality leather goods can also be found in the place. Patong is also known for nielloware, a special Thai craft, which implies applying etched designs on objects. Silk/cotton textile, bronzeware, cashewnuts and furniture are also liked by Patong visitors.

Nightlife
Nights fill the people of Patong with excitement and they run to nightlife spots to shake their legs. And there is no dearth of spots like clubs, bars, discos, massage parlours, cabaret, karaoke lounges. Patong nightlife is not on every tourist’s lips for nothing.

It is the viewer who gets to choose the place for his night. Discos are huge fun. There are bars with huge air-conditioned dance floors. One can witness sizzling performances in glitzy shows. Soi Bangla, which joins the Rat-U-Thit Road and the Beach Road, is the most well-known nightlife destination of Patong.