The roads in Patong are always full of bikes, cars, vans, buses and trucks. If you're planning on riding a motorbike around Patong, take extreme care. The number of people who drink and drive is scary and there is a death on the roads of Phuket every day.

Far too often, tourists who don't really know how to ride a motorbike arrive in Patong, get drunk and then cruise around, only to end up smashing into something or someone.

Be especially careful about riding alone late at night, especially if traveling out of Patong. There have been cases of people being kicked off their bikes and mugged in the early hours of the morning. The muggers usually carry knives or guns, so don't put up a fight.

Also take care while walking, even on the sidewalk, as motorcyclists have been known to inadvertently clip pedestrians.

When you're staying at a hotel, there's a tendency to think that anything left if your room is secure. However, this is not always the case, even if you leave items in a room safe. Try not to leave anything valuable in your room and certainly don't leave money anywhere. There have been numerous reports of money and items going missing from room safes in Patong.

Whatever you do, don't aggravate the tuk-tuk drivers. People have been beaten in the street for parking in the wrong place and refusing to move, for not paying a fare, or for becoming aggressive during a negotiation. It's not worth landing yourself in hospital for the sake of proving a point.

Pickpockets operate in Patong so keep your belongings close to you at all times. Also be wary of ladyboys that approach you and try to grab onto your arm. Some cunning ladyboys even flash passers-by as a diversionary tactic. Only in Thailand.

Food is generally safe in Patong, including food sold on the street. Use common sense when eating out. If something looks or tastes like it isn't cooked then don't eat it. Even residents in Patong get food poisoning from time to time.

Perhaps the biggest concern is the passing on of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The alcohol-fuelled environment in Patong can lead to people having sex without using contraception. This is especially dangerous for men courting Patong's bar girls. HIV/Aids and other STDs all exist in Patong.

Keep your wits about you and you'll be sure to have a great time in Patong. Phuket is generally safe for tourists, but every now and then a story pops up that reminds us all to stay on our toes. Patong is also family friendly, although the exotic nightlife and occasional pestering make some of the other areas of the island more appealing, especially if traveling with younger children.