Formed from a shallow dent along the western front of Phuket is a fringe of powdery white sand backed by a wall of palm trees. By day, Bangtao is a tropical darling with crystal clear waters and seaside activities for a cooling day out in the sun. The opulent and grand resorts of the south in Laguna Phuket peter out into remoteness up north, the distance of one of the longest beaches in Asia effectively breaking them up into zones. Bumping and skipping over the water with the cool spray of foam on your skin, wakeboarding is a common sight with lessons run by Anthem Wake Park close to the resorts. A beachside stroll might reveal bobbing elephants with passengers on their back walking down with you or graceful horses cantering close to the tree-lined shade. Traditional Thai seafood delights often take unique and unexpected twists at the resort restaurants by the beach, serviced by Michelin award winning chefs.

Yet by night, Bangtao is a vibrant and wild adventurer. Her nightlife involves beach bars furnished by sleek white furniture and more local affairs under shaded cabanas and woven seats. The music pulses well into the night, filling the dark with strobe lights and dance to end a fulfilling day out at Bangtao.