Major Attractions

Covering an alea of 3,298 sq. km., Ranong is locaıed ı6S l::-l.
froıı Bangkok and about 300 km. north of Phuket' ]t is
bordered to the west by the Andaınan Sea, to the nonh L,1
Myanmar, to the east by Chumphon and to the south b\
Surat Thani.
Ranong is the wettest province in Thailand, with over '1.00[r
mm. of rain per year, and also the country's least populous
province. As it has a long rainy period, which lasts for around
8 months each year, it is best visited between December and
April. Its compact area includes many natural wonders such as
hot springs, waterf-alls, white sandy beaches and offshore
islands. In the nofiheast of the province, the Kra Isthmus
signals the narrowest point of the peninsula, where just 44 kı-ı'
separate the Al-ıdaman Sea from the Gulf of Thailand.
Major Attractions
Ranong Hot Springs and Raksawarin Arboretum
Just I km. to the east of town, on the grounds of Wat
Tapotharam, are solıe hot springs, which bubble rıp ouı of the
ground at a scalding 65-70 degrees Celsius. This is too hot ttı
bathe in, but the rustic public baths are a much cooler.ll
degrees, while tlie nearby Jansom Thara Hotel has a iarge
public spa that uses the same waters. The hot sprinqs are
suııounded by the Raksawarin Arborerum. rr here there are
benches for relaxing in the shade, and froııı rı here it is possiL,le
to take elephant rides. Try the Jansoıı Hot Spa Ranong Hotel.
ıvith its own mineral watel spa froıı a natural geı'ser.
Website: www.j ansomthararanong.com
Ranong Hot Springs
Ko Chang
Not to be confused with Thailand's second largest island rr iıh
the same name oVeI on the eastern gulf, this 18 sq. km. islaıi
has four beaches stlmg along its west coast, and also bunga1ows to rent. Though there is a small Village here, there are ntı
cars as yet, so it is a very tranquil place.
Ko Phayam
Similar in size and just south of Ko Chang, Ko Phayam thrir.es
Victoria Point
Victııria Poiırt
Raıroırg has 1oırg been popular among Thais aS a jumping ofT
point for a glimpse into Myanmar at Mctoria Poiı-ıt, knor.vır as
Ko Thuang to the Burmese and Ko Song to the Thais. Boats
leave fioıı Saphan Pla. Ranong's pofi and 1ıarbour about 5 km.
Southwest of the toıı,n centre. For a small fee, foreigners can
also take the shoıı boat ride aCIoSS the Kra Buri River to this
bustling island, which is mostly dedıcated to fishing, but also
produces a high number of champion kick-boxers. Among the
many shops in Victoria Point are some selling intricately made
baskets, 1acqueı_ware and gems.
Immigration Checkpoint Tel.0 7782 1216
Kra Jstl-ııııı.ıs
The narrowest paı1 of the peninsula that connects Thailand with
Myanmar is Ban Thap Li, 545 krn. fiom Bangkok and 66 km.
noıtheast of Ranong town. A small moı-ıument just off Highway
No. 4 marks the spot where the peninsula's waist measures a
slender 44 km., while just 22 km. separate the Gulf of Thailand
from Kra Buri River, whicl-ı florvs South into the Andaman. and
foıms the border between Tlıailand and Mvanııar.
Nanttok Nqao
Located within sight of Highıvay No. 4, about 12 km. soı-ıtlr of
Ranong, this waterfall tumbles down fiom a great height, and is
paıticularly impressive during the wet Season.
National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department
Tel. 0 2562 07 6()
Namtok Ngao National Park Tel. 0 7784 81 8 I
Website: www.dnp.go.th
on its cashew orchards, tended by a handful of local residents.
who include "Chao Le" or sea gypsies. The island also has
some great beaches, and accommodation on Ao Yai and Ao
Khao Khwai. Both these islands are best visited between
November and May, to avoid the monsoon rains. Longtail boats
to Ko Chang and Ko Phayam leave from Saphan Pla port near
Ranong.
Laemson National Park
Situated 45 km. south of Ranong on the Andaman Sea coast
and occupying 315 sq. km., including over 60 km. of coastline.
two archipelagoes and 8 islands, Laemson National Park offers
a chance to enjoy unspoiled nature, as few people live in this
region. The Park headquaı1els iS at Hat Bang Ben, ıı'hıch is
rypical of others in the region, a broad spread of sand. backed
by shady casuarina. Four kilometres fufiher on from here. Hat
Laemson is a memorably peaceful spot, good for birdlr atchıng.
Park staff can arange boat trips out to other islands such as Ko
Khang Khao and Ko Kam Yai, the latter of u-hich has some
fabulous beaches and lies an hour and a half off the coast.
National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department
Tel. 0 2562 0760 Laemson National Park Tel. 0 1 978 6620
Website: www. dnp. go.th
Kra Isthmus
Ğ
ış
ıEşı
'€J
*'
IE
lİ
ı
Gettirıg T1ıenc
!h,.'1lı'
Phuket
(l hour
Air flies one 1light daily betır,eeıı Bangkok
20 minutes.)
anci
Ranoııg
Phuket Air Bangkok o1İce Tel. o 2679 8gg() (Headquarters) or
0 2535 6695 (Bangkok Iııternational Airpoıt) or O 7782 459I-2
(Ranong Airpi'ırt)
Website
:
ıvrı,rr,.phrıketaırl ines.
coıı
l]ı'l]ıı.s
Botlr air-conditioned and regrılar brıscs ıır Bangkok clepart tiom
the Southern Bus Terıııinal to Ranong er'-ery day (8 hours..)
Bangkok Southenr Bııs Termina] Tet. 0 289zl 6122
Ranoııg Bus Terminal Tel. 0 77Bl
15z18
\\]ebsite: rr'ş'l'r..transpoı1.co.th
ıi.. ( 'l,
Frrını Baııgkok. take Highıl'a1,Ntı' 4 ı,ia Phetchabuı.i. Prachı.ıap
Klıiıı K]lan and Churılpl-ıoır. a totaI distance c'ıf 568 kıı.
Ac c ııirıl:ı oclatl
Ask 1br reccinıı-ı-ıeıdatioı'ıs on rıl-ıere to sta.v ın Ranolıg at the
TATChumphoırTel' 0 77'50 ]8]l-2. O ı-]5()2775-6.
olı
\\ıebsite
:
rr.rr,ıv.tourismthai1and.oı s
Clıtuıg Islcını|
.-
a
lĞ''
_tğ
€