RANONG

Ranong is located on the Kra Isthmus, the narrow strip that connects mainland Thailand with the Malay Peninsula, on the west side of the Phuket mountain range. It has a long coast on the Andaman Sea. The province is known for having the most rainfall of all Thailand, the rainy season lasting for about eight months. In 1955 the annual rainfall reached 6,699.5 mm, compared to about 1,200 in central Thailand.
The province is the least populated province of Thailand; 80% of the area is covered by forests, and 67% is mountainous terrain. Historically the major industry was tin mining, but most mines are now exhausted. White clay mining for the production of porcelain and fishing are the main industries today, together with rubber and cashew nutfarming.
The Ranong Biosphere Reserve in the north of Amphoe Kapoe covering 303.09 km² was declared in 1997. It is the fourth biosphere reserve of Thailand, but the only one located at the coast to protect the mangrove forests. In the south of the province is the Khlong Nakha Wildlife Sanctuary.

Map of Ranong province, Thailand, with the district (Amphoe) numbered.
1. Mueang Ranong
2. La-un
3. Kapoe
4. Kra Buri
5. Suk Samran (sub-district)


Sights

Rattanarangsarn Palace

Phraya Damrong sutjarit Mahitsornpakdee (Kor Sim Kong) built this throne hall for the residence of King Rama V during the royal visit to Ranong Province on April 23–25, 1890. It is located on the hilltop named "Niwest Kiree". But the original throne hall was later dismantled and replaced by the city hall and then the new provincial hall was built in 2002. It was made of teak wood. It is a historical tourist attraction of Ranong residents.

Ranong Governor’s Grave

This Chinese grave of Phraya Rattanasetthi (Kho Su Chiang), Ranong’s first governor, is situated on a piece of land dedicated by King Rama V. There are three tiers of stone platform with steps leading up to the grave with antique granite sculptures of Chinese noblemen, horses, goats and lions on both sides.

Hot Springs and Raksawarin Public Park

The hot springs have been a popular tourist spot ever since King Rama V visited Ranong in 1890. There are three natural spring pools. The temperature of the water in the pools remains constant at about 65 °C.

Wat Hat Som Paen

This temple is on Khlong Hat Som Paen and provides a sanctuary for a shoal of soro brook carp.
Wat suwan Khiri It contains a Burmese style Chedi, over 70 years old and 10 metres in height, which was built by a Burmese, a main ordination hall or Phra Ubosot where a beautifully bejeweled standing Buddha image is enshrined and a belfry decorated with a feline pattern.

Namtok Punyaban

Formerly known as Namtok Set Takuat, this 20-metre high waterfall is located at Mu 1 Tambon Bang Non, on the right at km. 597 on Highway No.4 towards Chumphon.

Namtok Ton Phet

Surrounded by moist evergreen forest with Ranong’s highest Phota Chong Dong Mountains being the source of water, each tier of the falls cascades down boulders all year round.
Phukhao Ya (Grass Hill) or Khao Hua Lan (Bald Hill)
Known to locals by a variety of names and endearingly referred to as Thailand’s version of a Swiss pasture, this hill is something of an anomaly as it is completely treeless, being covered instead by a thick blanket of grass.

Namtok Ngao National Park

Covering a total area of approximately 417,500 rai in Amphoe La-un and Amphoe Mueang of Ranong and Amphoe Sawi, Amphoe Thung Tako, Amphoe Lang Suan and Amphoe Phato of Chumphon, it was declared a national park on 3 June, 1999.

Ngao Mangrove Forest Research Centre

has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve Zone by UNESCO owing to the essential role this mangrove plays in maintaining the region's ecological integrity. Many species of marine life come to the mangrove to mate, incubate their eggs and care for their young until the offspring are strong enough to face the perils of the open sea.

Hat Chan Damri

This small beach and pier, and a nearby hillside viewpoint offer good vantage points from which to witness seafaring life along the mouth of Ranong's principal river.
Victoria Point or Ko Song An island in neighbouring Myanmar

Ko Chang (Ranong)

With an area of 18 square kilometres and 80 homes on the entire island. Cashew and para rubber plantations as well as coastal fisheries are the people’s main industries.

Ko Phayam

is famous for both its long fine white sandy beaches and for the cashew nuts which are grown on the island. A number of sea gypsies, or Chao Le, live on the island as well.

Mangrove Arboretum

Located within Pa Khlong Lamliang-La-un National Reserve area and attached to a concession forest, the mangrove became under concession for 15 years before reforestation under the Khlong La-un Mangrove project. Two years later, it was developed into a mangrove arboretum with a 1,500-metre long boardwalk being constructed.

Royal Initial Stones

There is an area where the royal initials of King Rama V were inscribed onto a stone to mark his royal visit. There are also inscriptions of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit’s as well as Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s initials on their royal visit.

Kho Khot Kra or Kra Isthmus

The Kra Isthmus is the Malay Peninsula’s narrowest point, spanning a mere 44 kilometres from the Gulf of Thailand on the east coast to the Andaman Sea on the west coast. The Kra Isthmus provides an excellent vantage point from which to see the Kra Buri River forming a natural boundary between Thailand and Myanmar.

Tham Phra Khayang

Despite its small scale, this cave is related to a legend of the establishment of the district. Some 40 metres deep inside, a staircase leads upward and further outside the cave to where some rare herbs are believed to have been grown.

Namtok Chum Saeng or Namtok Sai Rung

In the rainy season, a lot of water cascades down the boulders in rainbow splashes. This is how it is called “Namtok Sai Rung” or Rainbow Waterfall.

Namtok Bok Krai

At the end of the road, a 20-metre walk through farmland and a moist forest will lead to this enormous waterfall that runs throughout the year.

Khlong Nakha Wildlife Reserve

This wildlife reserve houses a breathtaking waterfall known as Namtok Phan Met amid a stretch of verdant forest.

Laem Son National Park

It covers a total area of 196,875 rai. It also covers islands in the Andaman Sea; namely, Ko Khangkhao and Mu Ko Kam. Places of interest within the national park include:

Hat Bang Ben

is a long and vast sandy beach shaded by pine trees where the national park headquarters is located.

Hat Laem Son

is a white sandy beach approximately 4 kilometres next to Hat Bang Ben.

Hat Praphat or Hat Hin Thung

is located at Mu 2 Tambon Kam Phuan. Similar to Hat Bang Ben, Hat Praphat is a large beach shaded by pine trees.