Patong has become synonymous with nightlife in Phuket. There are beer bars, discos, go-go bars and nightclubs all over the area. What you may not be aware of is that Patong also has a bustling gay scene. Gay Patong is full-on fun - and even if you're not gay, it's definitely worth a look because it's where you'll find some of the best parties in Phuket.

The action of gay Patong primarily takes place at the Paradise Complex located in front of the Royal Paradise Hotel on Rat-U-Thit Road. Paradise Complex is a huge mass of gay-friendly venues. The place never sleeps, although during the day the area has a laidback kind of vibe.

Gay Patong is like a playground for gay travellers. There are several hotels and guesthouses that cater to a primarily gay clientele, although all genders and preferences are welcome.

There are also gay-friendly gyms, restaurants, Internet shops, massage parlours and so on. Paradise complex has more than 50 different venues, each offering something unique. During the day, there's a market where you can buy clothing and various odds and ends.

But people don't go to gay Patong just for shopping - they go to party. Paradise Complex has an ensemble of the island's best cabaret shows. If you've never seen a cabaret show, it's definitely worth trying at least once, just for the experience. The boys in the shows spend hours rehearsing every day, so expect lots of dancing, lip-syncing and general tomfoolery.

Phuket Simon Cabaret is known for some of the island's most elaborate cabaret shows. Anther venue you shouldn't miss is Uncle Charlie's, which is more of the same.

While Soi Bangla is home to most of Patong's "straight" go-go bars, Paradise Complex has the gay equivalent. If you don't have a desire to see rows of young Thai men gyrating on stage, don't go. However, if that sounds like you're idea of fun, try out Sparacus, CU Tonight and My Way.

The party scene isn't all about looking at gorgeous Thai boys, though. Paradise Complex has some fantastic nightclubs. Boat Bar is the place to go if you like your beats tough and techno. The island's finest DJs spin at boat bar and the parties usually go on well into the AM.

Karaoke bars are also popular with the Patong gay community. If you've had a bit to drink then no doubt a quick blast on the mic will be in order. Wow Café and Karaoke is the place to go.

You don't have to be gay to enjoy gay Patong, so give Paradise Complex a look next time you're in Patong.

Phuket is an action-packed place to go on holiday. There are so many things to do in Phuket. Whether you like your kicks adrenaline-fuelled or you're into more subdued activities, there's no way you could ever be bored during a vacation in Phuket.

One of most popular things to do in Phuket is diving. Phuket is revered as one of the world's top-10 diving destinations. Diving in Phuket is a great activity thanks to warm, clear waters and an abundance of marine life, corals and rock formations.

There are lots of great dive spots around the coast of Phuket. Shark Point, for example, is where divers often come across leopard sharks. Nearby, the King Cruiser wreck where the remains of an 85-meter catamaran can be explored. North of Shark Point is Anemone Reef, which is a large, submerged rock covered with sea anemones.

Snorkeling is another fun activity to experience during a visit to Phuket. Snorkel equipment can be hired at most of the beaches. Kata Beach and Freedom Beach are two particularly good spots for snorkeling in Phuket.

Sticking with an aquatic theme, surfing is a sport that has grown in popularity in recent years in Phuket. There's now a fully active surf community ready to tear it up on the waves whenever the swell is big enough. Kata Beach is widely regarded as Phuket's best surfing beach.

Whether you're a beginner or more advanced, surfing in Phuket is always a lot of fun. Other beaches worth checking out include Kata Noi, Laem Singh and Kalim Beach. There are several surf contests in Phuket throughout the year, so there's no excuse not to get involved.

Jet-skis are, unfortunately, also common at Phuket's main beach spots. No doubt it's tempting to speed through the waves, but the noise disturbance is a real turn-off for anyone enjoying the sun, sea and sand. There have also been several incidents of people riding jet-skis into helpless swimmers.

If you're looking for more conventional things to do in Phuket, there are several cinemas, a handful of bowling alleys and a couple of shooting ranges. The Patong Go-Kart Speedway is always good for a bit of fun, especially if you're with a large group of friends.

As with many of Southeast Asia's most popular destinations, there are several places where you can go bungee jumping. Jungle Bungee Jump and World Bungee Jumping are two operators ready to let you take a leap of faith while in Phuket.

Fans of rock music will certainly not be disappointed with a trip to Phuket. The island has a vibrant live-music scene that covers most of the bases, from jazz through to good old rock n roll. If you'd rather mosh to rock than bop to dance beats, there are a few clubs and pubs you ought to know about.

Although it's something of a cliché on the island, Rock City on the beach road in Patong is an established rock club that caters to a primarily tourist clientele. As soon as you see the enormous gorilla above the entrance, you know you're in for a treat, and Rock City delivers.

Rock City is a fun kind of place with bands comprising of locals, Aussies, Swedes, Filipinos and so on. There are usually three or four bands on per night and each has a different style and character. You won't hear any original songs at this Phuket club, but you will be able to dance away to the links of Bon Jovi, Metallica, ACDC and Guns n Roses, as well as a few more-modern bands.

As if one Rock City in Patong wasn't enough, there is now a second venue at the top of Soi Bangla, on the opposite from the beach. It's much the same as the original Rock City, but the acoustics are a little bit different. Expect to drink and dance until about 2 am.

Although it's primarily a jazz club, Karma Lounge in Kata is a fun live-music venue where the music sometimes drifts into rock. The vibes are always positive at this Phuket club and people get down until the early hours of the morning.

Of course, no trip to Phuket would be complete without sampling the local rock scene. Although there aren't many bands in Phuket penning and playing their own songs, there are a lot of decent cover bands playing in local clubs.

9 Richter in Phuket Town is a good place to catch Thai live music. The venue also hosts special events with famous stars from the Thai rock and indie scenes.

Also in Phuket Town is Blue Marina, at the TK Hotel. This is an exciting club popular with young people in Phuket. The music is always fast and fun, plus Blue Marina also hosts special events with popular bands.

The majority of Phuket's rock clubs can be found in Patong. It usually takes a little stroll around the area to find somewhere playing live music. The quality of the bands varies considerably and there is an unhealthy obsession with the likes of Bon Jovi, but it's all in the holiday spirit and the drink are cheap and even the Thais seem to have a good time.