Thailand Guides - Ranong

Despite being a small province, Ranong is abundant with natural attractions; the sea, islands, mountains, forests, waterfalls, mangroves forests. Yet, it is barely known among overseas tourists. This lush and rainy province bordering southern Myanmar, Ranong has among its attractions hot springs and stunning marine parkland. Indeed, this province offers a lot more than just another coastal province.

Overview

Bordering southern Myanmar and 600 kilometres south of Bangkok, 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 lining the streets.

Attraction

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.

Just a ten minute drive from Ranong Town, you will reach the Punyaban Waterfall tucked in an evergreen forest. This moderate size waterfall of three levels nestles in a wonderful vista of mountains. The waterfall originates from small streams in the forest preservation area named La Un and Rachakrud Forest. There is a 300 metre nature trail near the fall. Tourists can walk through a lush green forest to observe the ecological system of the tropical rain forest.

The Tanaosri mountain range, which covers much of Southern Thailand, is abundant with dense tropical rain forests. They are a watershed of many waterfalls, including Ngao Waterfall. This large waterfall has its origin in the jungles in Ranong. The stream from the deep forest flows down from the cliff, which can be seen from several hundred meters away. You can trek with a national park ranger in the forested mountain to see various species of wild orchids and, if luck is in your side, the princess crab - a new specie of crab that has a white shell and claws with a dark violet mouth, eyes and legs.

Laem Son Beach is a pine tree franked beach that sticks out to the sea like a big cape. The sand here is grey with some rugged surface. The beach may not look attractive but this is the place where travelers get on a boat to many of the islands such as Koh Khang Khao and Koh Kam Yai. An office of Laem Son National Park is located on this beach with restaurants, bungalows and tour centres in close proximity. The beach is about 53 km from Ranong Town.