Thursday has been a quiet day mostly. The kids were very good today so they were promised a trip to the beach which was delayed until the sun was on it’s way towards the sea to avoid the worst of the heat and damaging effects of radiation.  Now I am not a lover of Patong, least not now I am married with a family .  There are many cheaper and quieter places on Phuket to attract me nowadays although if it is thai girls you are looking for they are mainly concentrated in the nightlife areas there.

Phuket beach has become a little cleaner and the recent renovations post tsunami have made the section of beach near the beach road more pleasant and we do sometimes come down for a picnic by the sea there as there is also a children’s play area. I wish the authorities would also consider providing a toilet or two down on the beach.  It would encourage a better atmosphere and avoid the need of having to drag the kids across the road to one of the local shops who have wised up to the money making potential of a paid loo.  Just as well you don;t need a tuk-tuk to get to the loo otherwise a trip to the beach would require a small mortgage these days.  I am sure no one uses the sea for relief now do they!!!!

Paradise Beach, Patong, Phuket

Anyway this post is not about Phuket Beach but rather a quiet little beach just south of Tri Trang Beach, accessed via a partly newly surfaced road which is VERY hilly and changes to a navigable but patchy concrete road where presumably the resurfacing money ran out.  No problem you can get to the beach by motorcycle or by car but if you want to walk it bring your hiking boots.  The journey is well worth it for at the end is a lovely little beach aptly named Paradise Beach.  The beach is only really accessible over private land it seems as it is marked ‘Private Beach’.  However as far as I am aware all the beaches belong to the King of Thailand so I am not sure it can really be Private as in defining ownership.  No matter, it is free to go there, you can hire a sunbed for 100 baht for the day and it is quieter and much more hassle free than the busier Patong Beach.

We got there a little late but time enough for the kids to have a play on the rope swing and a paddle in the sea.  Afterwards we were offered a free BBQ at the little restaurant come bar at the top of the hill to the southern end of the beach.  Free it was, prawns and chicken with vegetables and plenty to eat.  All that is expected is that you buy a few beers which are quite reasonably priced at 80 baht per Heineken as an example.  The bar is approached via quite a few steps to get to the top of the hill, but once up there you can sit in one of the little wooden kiosks that you so often see in Thailand and take in the breathtaking sunset for the vantagepoint is perfect for that.

Biting Red Ants - Thai Style

Whilst sitting there I noticed a trail of red ants passing along the guide rail en-route for a tree off in the distance.  They are amazing creatures ants but regrettably a perishing nuisance and these ones pack a powerful bite.  If you see these on the floor don’t stand there as they will attack as any island golfer can tell you.  If they are running up and down a tree don’t stand underneath it – they are excellent absailers.  Basically keep away from them or you will have more than the days activities to remind you of yesterday’s exploits.

We had a great time up there and I would definitely recommend that you take a look some time.  If planning a holiday in Phuket why not take time out from the hassle and bustle of the town a relax a little at Paradise Beach.  It is only a few kilometres outside Patong and everyone around there will know how to get there.

Sunset at Paradise Beach Phuket