Things to do in Ranong

Hot Springs

A couple of km out of the town centre, set in Raksawarin Park are Ranong's famous hot springs. They're renowned for their therapeutic effect and unusually contain practically no sulfur content though to look at they are the same as any other hot springs.

The park is pleasant enough and you can bathe there, though the site is very popular with the locals and can get somewhat over-run. The huge Jansom Thara Hotel complex nearby on the main road pipes water from the springs into its luxury jacuzzis, which are open to the public for 300B.

About 8km past the Hot Springs is Wat Hat Som Paen. A visit to both of these will fill in a few hours if you are waiting for a bus.

Nai Khai Ranong

This building and its surrounding ruins is about 1 km past the post office on Ruangrat Road. To reach them take the turn on the left just after the white walled in enclosure. The building is a shrine/commemoration of King Rama V. The building contains some memorabilia, some really way out photos of the man himself and some interesting photo albums. If you are lucky someone will be hanging around who may explain what its all about. Allow an hour to walk there and back from the Asia Hotel.

Ngao Waterfall National Park

Just 12km south of Ranong with an English sign and easily seen from the road are the Ngao waterfalls. They're not the most picturesque of falls, but they are certainly high and after the rainy season can appear quite dramatic. It is also a popular picnicking spot for the locals but some quiet trails lead off if you want to clamber up the mountain. Opposite the entrance on the main road Rd is Khao Ya hill, where a pathway leads up to its grassy, flower-strewn summit where great views are guaranteed.

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How to get there: Follow the road south along Highway 4 and turn left at the sign about 12kms from Ranong. Follow the road for about 700m to reach the park headquarters. This park is easily reached by sawngthaew from the market and conveniently all most Ranong sawngthaews have destinations in Thai and English.

Haad Chandamri

This is the closest beach to Ranong, but is not really worth a look unless you have to have a swim.

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How to get there: It is about 10 km from Ranong and a sawngthaew will take you there for 10B. There are some decent food vendors here.

Laem Son National Park

This terrestrial and Marine National Park includes 15 islands and stretches across 60 km of coastline in both Ranong and Phang Nga Provinces. The park was given Royal decree in 1983 and is Thailand's 12th National Marine Park. Its coast is primarily dense mangroves thus many of its beaches are mainly mudflats, though there are some nice beaches around the National Park office 10 km north of Kapoe and 45 km south of Ranong. Hat Bang Ben is a sandy beach by the National Park headquarters and Laem Son Beach is another lovely beach 4 km to the north. Park officials maintain that for those who cannot afford to reach the Surin and Similan Islands, Hat Bang Ben is not a bad choice for snorkelling although the coral has been stifled by sediment in the water. Another sub station with amenities exists on Ko Aow Khao Kwai.
Many of the park's 15 islands are worth visiting and can be easily visited from Hat Bang Ben. Many of the islands bear witness to human encroachment in the form of logging for boat building. In the past, the only effect on these islands was apparently from the odd boatload of fishermen seeking shelter from monsoon storms. Of these, Ko Kam Yai and Ko Khang Khao offer very good snorkelling and take less than one hour to reach by boat. Enquire at the park office for details. The birdlife within the park is also reportedly abundant with December to February being the best time for birdwatchers to visit when the park fills with migrating birdlife.

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How to get there: The National Park office maintains three bungalows and a longhouse at its headquarters and also has one longhouse at Ko Kam Yai. Camping is permitted and tents rented at the park office but, nude and topless bathing is forbidden. If you wish to book accommodation in advance, contact, Headquarters Laem Son National Park, Kapoe District, Ranong Province 85000, or phone the Ranong Office on (077) 823 255, or at the Reservations Office, National Park Division, Royal Forest Department, Chatuchak, Bangkok, (02) 579 0529. There are also a couple of resorts near the park entrance, including Wasana Resort and Andaman Peace Resort with rooms for 300B to 600B and which run boat trips for around 250B per day.

Ranong Eco Tourism

Raong Eco Tourism organises tours of the national parks and waterfalls around Ranong. The emphasis is on environmental education, and the business does a lot to educate local Thais on how to care for the nature around them. There's also an environmental restoration volunteering program for international travellers.

More details
Office is just next to the bus station, Ranong
jada1th@hotmail.com
http://www.ranongecotourism.com/

Runs 'n Roses

More adventurous travellers might like to check out this promising eco-tourism venture in the jungle about 50km south of Ranong. Activities range from horseback riding lessons and river rafting to getting involved in environmental restoration projects. There's also workshops on Thai cooking, culture and language. Accommodation is also available, and kids are catered for.

More details
Phato, 50km south of Ranong
info@runsnroses.com
http://www.runsnroses.com/
How to get there: There are buses to Phato from Ranong, and Runs 'n Roses can arrange pick-up from there.

Ranong Adventure

Ranong Adventure organises abseiling, snorkeling trips, trekking, kayaking and mountain biking into the jungle. Pon's Place on Ruangrat Rd has more information on this operation.

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30/7 Ratphunit Rd, Ranong
ranongadventure@thaimail.com

Ranong Canyon

Oh so quiet and quite attractive, Ranong Cayon is a good place to escape the hustle and bustle of town. Formerly an old mine, the canyon has filled with rain and ground water that reflects the colour of the surrounding trees in brilliant emerald green. About 10km past the Hot Springs is Haad Som Pan village, and the canyon is another 3km away. To get there you can take a motorcycle taxi, or rent a moped for yourself. You might be able to convince one of the songthaew drivers to drive you the extra distance past the Hot Springs for 50B-80B. If you go by songthaew or motorcycle taxi, arrange for the drive to pick you up later as it's a long walk back.

Historical sites

History buffs have a few options for passing the time in Ranong. Take a stroll up the hill on Luwan Rd off Ruangrat Rd to find a replica of the house of Rama IV, one of Thailand's most revered kings.
Set on a hill to the north-west of the city is tomb of Ranong's first prince/governor, Damrong Sujarit Mahisondakdi. The prince died in 1882 and nearby the tomb is a hall with five marble Buddha statues and temple decorated with Burmese art. Just past the police station on Ruangrat Rd lies the ruins of the prince's house.