Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Ranong> Location: Ranong

Ranong

Ranong's nightlife is centered north of the market on Ruangrat Rd. As well as the venue mentioned below, you might want to check out such funky-looking watering holes such as the Sir Pol Pub, the Shinjuku Boutique Bar and Twins. For cheap eats, you really can't go past the Ranong Provincial Market on Ruangrat Rd. The market starts up about 04:00 and continues all day to evolve into a night market. Just opposite is a smaller, predominantly Muslim market, and there are a couple of good Muslim-run cafes along Ruangrat Rd that do good roti, dahl and curries.

Co-Pa Music Hall - Ranong's headbanger haven
Phetkasem Rd, Ranong - Ranong

For live music, check out a performance in this big, gaudy venue, a few hundred metres north of Ranong's bus station. You can boogie the night away with peace-of-mind knowing that the managers have put a sign out front clearly indicating that handguns are not allowed inside.
Opening Hours: 19:00-01:00

DD. Coffee - Ranong's wild west
299/1 Ruangrat Rd, Ranong - Ranong
Tel: (077) 830 111;
dd.coffee@yahoo.com

The big, canvassed teepee out the front is your first clue that the managers of this place have gone for a Cowboys and Indians theme. DD.'s pride and joy is its ice cream, which comes in cakes, Sundays and cones. There's also pizza, pasta and some Thai dishes.
Type of Food: Ice Cream / Italian /
Opening Hours: Daily 08:00-22:00

Kay Kai Internet and Cafe - Friendly spot to get online
293/6 Ruangrat Rd, Ranong - Ranong
Tel: (077) 812 2967;
atta_att@hotmail.com

Kay Kai has a cozy little combined cafe a few hundred metres past the market on Ruangrat Rd. It has the internet access least likely to be filled with loud, gaming schoolboys. Pasta dishes here are the best value on the menu at 45B, and the fruit shakes are delicious.
Type of Food: International / Thai /
Opening Hours: Daily 08:30-22:00

Pon's Place - Any further questions?
129 Ruangrat Rd, Ranong - Ranong
Tel: (077) 823 344;
ponplace@hotmail.com

Outside of yours truly, Pon's Place is possibly the best source of information on how to pass the time in and around Ranong. Staff can organize visa runs, motorbike and car rental and give information on virtually every attraction in the area. There's also a good Thai menu.
Type of Food: Thai /

Sophon's Hideaway - Island atmosphere
Ruangrat Rd, Ranong - Ranong
Tel: (077) 832 730;
sophonshideaway@yahoo.com
http://www.sophonshideaway.com/

Missing that island hut atmosphere from your recent stay on Ko Pha Ngan? Easily remedied in Ranong by heading to Sophon's. It's a combined Western-Thai venture on wooden decking circled by ferns and fountains. There's a pool table and Chang beer on tap. Sophon's has an extensive Italian menu (including the best pizza in town) and a few Thai dishes on offer as well.
Type of Food: Italian / Thai /

The Coffee House - A European touch
Ruangrat Rd, Ranong - Ranong
Tel: (077) 822 447;

The Coffee House feels like it's trying to be something out of the rues of Paris or the strasse of Berlin. It doesn't quite get there, but the venue is a good source of information about travelling to the nearby islands of Ko Chang and Ko Phayam. The baguettes are excellent.
Type of Food: International /