As I wandered the packed streets of Patong on New Year’s Eve, 2023, I felt the searing heat and sweat in every crevice. Despite being the winter, the coastal town showed no signs of a cool breeze. As my feet pounded through the streets side stepping every hawker and “guide”, I was determined for just one cause; finding the best New Year Party.
A year-end trip to Southern Thailand included a visit to Krabi, Phi Phi Islands and Phuket. After long research, my friends and I decided that Phuket would be the best to party hard into 2024. The decision was a good one and it was confirmed way ahead by honeymooners I met on my seven-island tour—Romi and Alvaro from Peru—when they declared that it was a crazy town and perfect for New Year celebrations.
Best Party Spot Bangla Road
I couldn’t agree more. As we made our way to Bangla Road, the energy, and excitement of the people on it was surreal. We had decided to book entry to either Illuzion or Tiger Club. Unfortunately, Tiger Club was closed during Covid and no one decided to update the Google listing. So, it was an easy decision. We paid 2000 baht for the entry tickets.
As I got ready for the party, I did not know what would be the best outfit. My luggage included a variety of beachy apparel whereas I forget about the New Year. In truth, I expected to be dancing my way around a beach party rather than entering into the posh interiors of a club like Illuzion. Finally, I decided on a cutesie dress that made me look adorable. Harking back I did look like a kid out to get her first ice cream cone, but that was all I could do for that time being.
Around 9 PM we left our rooms to take the long walk towards Bangla road. Grab didn’t have any cabs out, nor did the local tuk-tuks charge fairly to take up their rides. But thankfully, a couple decided to drop us off for the same charge of a tuk-tuk in a luxury SUV.
After taking a very long ride on a longer route to avoid traffic, we made it to Bangla Road and were mesmerized. The streets were flocked with bodies trying to walk in and out. The sheer excitement of welcoming the new year was overwhelming. You got everything from weed to munchies to tiaras and more. It was sheer madness but we went with the flow.
Illuzion, Phuket
Illuzion, no surprise, was crowded. But we made our way to the center. The decor can simply be termed glamorous. The thumping beats, swaying bodies, and the thrill of it all were enough to scream our way into the New Year. After four hours of dancing, and adrenaline coursing through our bodies, we decided to move the party to the beach.
I lit up a lantern to wish myself good luck. The way the sky was dotted with lights of every person trying to send up their New Year’s wishes to the heaven above was a tantalizing sight. In the end, we just found a restaurant to eat a bit and hit the road. Only after did I realize that I had just one drink that night, I was sober throughout but my happiness meter was over the chart with dancing, singing songs and getting jazzed with excitement.