PHUKET: What can tourists expect to find this high season along Phuket's west coast that's fresh and different to last year?

Quite a few changes. A Phuketwan reporter has already tested out the new Seduction Beach Club and Disco in Soi Bangla, which is actually some 500 metres from Patong beach.

It's in the modified theatre that was briefly home last year to the multi-million baht GENESIS spectacular with master illusionist Joe Labero.

The punters decided that enough unusual tricks were already being performed in Patong, so a great alternative family night out folded.

A bit like the Garden of Eden, Seduction naturally follows GENESIS. Our reporter rated the new nightclub a three out of five.

It was distinctly classier than the ping pong sex show she visited a bit earlier in the night in the line of duty, so to speak, although she managed to dodge the dart shots and the balls.

As any woman will tell you, avoiding shots and balls is not always possible at Phuket nightclubs. The old Seduction has shut but it's just a stagger across the soi to the new one.

Down the laneway alongside the new Seduction is a new food court with 10 or more stalls. Getting tasty food at the right price is always a task in Patong.

Don't expect any bargains, however, even at the new food court, this high season: a small plate of grilled shrimp will set you back 400 baht . . . if inflation doesn't boost the cost even further between now and November 1.

Perhaps the prices will be lower once a large new Patong retail outlet is built opposite the Duangjitt Resort and Spa in Prachanukhro Road, the southern part of the one-way system.

At present there's just a barren patch of earth with plenty of space for something completely different to save guests in the resorts at the quieter end of Patong from having to walk all the way to Jungceylon.

Duangjitt's owners, who also control this patch, have remained quiet about the details.

There's also an air of mystery about the new development going up at the end of the Destination Patong Hotel and Spa.

Opposite the Otop centre and close to Holiday Inn and the Hard Rock Cafe, it's possible this could be another landmark to prove that Patong South really rocks.

We couldn't go further without mentioning the new Patong resort Sleep With Me, where erection work is highly likely to continue even after the doors open.

Bookings are available online and we reckon there will be plenty of selfies taken and posted with this resort's signage.

We've already tried asking several people the question: ''What's the name of the new resort alongside Jungceylon?'' and had a few laughs at the answers.

Only in Patong.

Further afield, Surf House opposite the Kata Beach Resort now offers artificial surf and a bar and restaurant where you can watch riders try to hang 10 and tumble. It's a welcome addition to Phuket's activities.

A visit to Old Phuket Town is also likely to become more popular as the traditional Sino-Portuguese shophouses flourish as great cafes and boutique guesthouses.

From late September, a walking street will open along Thalang Road and Soi Romanee every Sunday from 4pm. It's bound to be popular for finding a meal that won't cost you 400 baht - prices on the east coast are about half those on the west coast.

Around sunset is a good time to get there, take a walk, buy some souvenirs, try out some of the great Old Phuket food and enjoy this other side of island life.