Sweaty bodies bump against each other in thumping clubs. Somebody in an open-air bar turns the conversation to politics, and the exchange gets heated. Irish pubs serve Guinness by the pint and crank out live tunes, fiddle and all. Televised Australian football matches attract boisterous crowds from Down Under in such large numbers, it’s a wonder there aren’t any kangaroos. Longhaired, leather-clad men swap stories in bars done up in orange and black – the colours of Halloween and Harleys.

It all sounds familiar, right? Phuket has a few spots where you’ll almost forget you’re not at home, wherever home may be. But that’s not the norm … and not why you go on holiday. You want a different experience; something wild, in your face, unique. Dictionary.com has four definitions of the adjective ‘exotic’, and each suits Patong, Phuket’s party town, admirably.

• Patong Beach
  It's loud, it's raunchy and it's utterly unforgettable. Legendary Patong Beach is the island's number one nightlife zone.
• Karong Beach
  Less hectic than Patong, Karon is a family friendly and couples place.
• Kata Beach
  Kata Beach, further south, has a village type ambiance with good restaurants and a small bar beer area.
• Kamala Beach
  Phuket FantaSea forms the main evening attraction at Kamala Beach.
• Phuket Town
  Phuket Town provides a more local scene with music pubs.