Karon and Kata for bar scenes more so then. Patong is not all bad / ropey, but there is so much that is it too often spills into what is not meant to be if you see what I mean. If the Patong Beach Hotel is the one that is actually on the beach, it is OK but the main attraction is being on the beach and having immediate access into town. There are some seafood restaurant (expensive, selling by the 100 grams, not kilo) and bars around there which are for regular, not Thai girl hunting tourists, but you will never get away from it. Maybe spend some time on the beach at Nai Harn (be careful of strong undertows)? I find the beach lounger scene there much less hassled; one vendor serving drinks to you at reasonable prices. Restaurants worth the call; New Moon in Nai Harn, Friendship Beach on the Rawai-Chalong Road, Lotus up the headland in Kamala, Don's (everyone knows Don's) - maybe if you meet some other tourists you can impress them with your local knowledge by taking them to these places

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