Ranong Town
A lush and rainy province bordering southern Myanmar, Ranong has among its attractions hot springs and stunning marine parkland.
Hotel Reservations - more than 600 hotels & resorts
Mountainous Ranong Province receives more rain than elsewhere in Thailand, covering it in lush greenery. Ranong town began as a Chinese Hokkien settlement, and this is evident from its older architecture. One example is Nai Khai Ranong, the former home of Koh Su Chiang, a Hokkien governor of Rayong during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Situated in the north of the town, only one of the three original structures still exists. Now a clan house and shrine exhibiting relics of the Koh clan, it is open to visitors.
A few kilometers out of town by Wat Tapotaram, visitors can wash with water scooped from hot and cold containers at the Ranong Mineral Hot Springs. Hot mineral baths (with the same spring water) are available at the public spa of the nearby Jansom Thara Ranong Hotel. Further on from the springs is Hat Som Paen, once a tin-mining village. A creek running through the local temple contains giant carp, said by some to be angels and therefore sacred and protected. According to local belief, affliction with leprosy awaits anyone who harms the fish.
The relatively undeveloped Koh Chang (not to be mistaken for Koh Chang in Trat Province) lies off Ranong’s Andaman Sea coast. The beaches are mediocre, but the few basic resorts here are very relaxed. Bird watchers can see kites, sea eagles and hornbills. Laem Son National Park encompasses numerous islands along 100 km of seashore. Wildlife is plentiful: birds, monkeys and deer live in the mangroves along the coast. The best beach here is Hat Bang Ben, from where you can organize boat trips to nearby islands.
