On Thailand's island of Phuket, Patong has always been the place to go for a taste of local nightlife. Now, competition in the form of luxury beach clubs is making waves along the west coast, attracting glamorous travellers who arrive for the sunshine and stay for the after-dark entertainment.

Two of the latest additions to Phuket’s burgeoning beach club scene — already dubbed ‘Thailand’s Ibiza’ — are Bimi Beach Club and Zazada Beach Club, which both opened on Surin Beach (also known as ‘Millionaire’s Row’ for the five-star resorts and luxury beach houses that line this stretch of coast).

At Bimi, the party begins early with local and international DJs spinning chill-out tunes during the day while you soak up the sun on one of the spacious wooden cabanas. It’s a similar vibe over at nearby Zazada Beach Club, where you can use the free WiFi to tweet your picturesque location for the envy of online friends.

The two newcomers join many already established clubs including XANA Beach Club at Laguna Beach Resort. Opened last year by the team behind the popular Attica club in Singapore, XANA has garnered a loyal following of fans for its beautiful setting on the shores of Bangtao Beach, about half an hour north of Phuket, and a line-up of top DJs including NYC’s Frankie Knuckles and Paul Oakenfold from the UK.

For a bit of Euro-cool, head to Bliss Beach Club, all decked out in wood and white, with the main bar area adorned with black-and-white prints of celebrities for added ambience. It’s located right near Diamond Beachclub, where beachside dining takes a gourmet twist courtesy of a menu from executive chef, Bruno Nicollini, who earnt a Michelin star for his Belgium restaurant, Senzanome.  

And there’s more to come, with the hotly anticipated Nikki Beach rounding off openings for the year. One thing’s certain — travellers to Phuket are in for one busy season.