Southern end of Ao Yai in front of Big Tree Bungalows

Southern end of Ao Yai in front of Big Tree Bungalows

Southern end of Ao Yai in front of Big Tree Bungalows

Taken on: 4th April, 2011. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See travelfishery's page of Flickr

Read more about Ranong

Travellers are slowing starting to catch on to the natural wonders of Ranong Province as while it is one of southern Thailand's sleepier provinces, Ranong nevertheless boasts peaceful island getaways, virgin rainforests, natural hot springs and world-class diving.

Most visitors to the province are coming to the same-named capital to do their "visa run" across to Burma to give themselves another 30 days in Thailand, but it's well worth sticking around a bit longer. If you have the time, try to combine a visit to Ranong town with a few days on one of two nearby islands, Ko Chang and Ko Phayam.

With about 162,000 inhabitants, Ranong is Thailand's least-populated province, but they're a diverse bunch at that. Burmese, Chinese and Thai Muslims have all played roles in the history of the region and each group retains a visible presence on the streets of the provincial capital. Mainstays of the local economy include fishing, white clay extraction for porcelain, ... Read our complete Ranong travel guide

More images

Bliss. Seating area Strange tree at Archanpan's place Ao Hin Khow North Ao Khao Kwai, beach sometimes disappears at high tide Tourist from Bluesky Resort getting driven to the pier Ao Hin Khow at low tide Taking cashew nuts out of their shells The river between Baan Suan Kayoo2 and Tang Tong Bungalows, high tide Beach in front of Jansom Resort has some rocks Ao Ko Kyu and Lublae bar, low tide Lady removing the shells from cashew nuts Archanapan. Very basic but the most ecologic of the ecologic resorts..no electricity unless you really need it. Road to Ao ko Kyu Ao Mook has nice sand and the sea is always deep enough to swim Hornbill on Ko Phayam Bye bye Phayam Tang Tong Bungalows, near the northern end of North Ao Kwai Flotsam and Jetsam on Ao Hin Khao Road to Ao Yai and Ao Kwai, just in front of the pier. Khopayam Resort. The view may not be as nice once the wall gets built Northern beach Ao Khao kwai, looking across the bay to southern part of the beach Ao Yai beach Hippy Bar, north Ao Khao Kwai The beach at Ao Kwang Peeb Beach in front of Vijits south Ao Khao Kwai beach Another tree frog Kaw Thaung and long tail View of south beach from Khao Kwai Hill platform Beach in front of Buffalo Bay Resort, high tide Beach in front of Vijits Ao Yai, middle section looking south, with a few waves Ao Yai southern end of the beach looking north Rock formation photo Khao Kwai Hill beach Mountain Resort, Ao Kwai South Ao Khao Kwai. Crabs like roving wilderbeast at low tide Cashew nut fruits Ko Phayam Tree frog on my fan Payam Cottage Resort. Kids play area South Ao Khao Kwai, in front of Vijits, Payam Cottages day trippers Thai fishing boats in Ranong Nice view but no direct beach access View of St Matthew's Island (Burma) from Khao Kwai Hill Resort restaurant Ao Yai middle section looking north Luggage on the speedboat Payam Cottage Resort. Ao Kwang Peeb Resort. Payam Cottage Resort restaurant and their jetski. It's the only one on the island Ao Kwang Peeb. View from the fisherman's hut bungalow Fishing boats off Ao Yai