Things to do in Ranong Province
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Ko Rang
By far the best diving in the region is in and around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this place has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility is much better than Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m.
Ko Yak and Ko Laun are both shallow dives perfect for both beginners and advanced divers. These two small rocky islands can be circumnavigated and have loads of coral, schooling fish, rays, morays, barracuda, puffer fish and the occasional turtle.
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Hat Bang Ben
The most accessible beach in the park is Hat Bang Ben, where the park headquarters are. This long, sandy beach, backed by shady casuarinas, is said to be safe for swimming year-round. From Hat Bang Ben you can see several islands, including the nearby Ko Kam Yai, Ko Kam Noi, Mu Ko Yipun, Ko Khang Khao and, to the north, Ko Phayam. The park staff can arrange boat trips out to any of these islands. During low tide you can walk to an island just a couple of hundred metres from Hat Bang Ben.
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Laem Son National Park
The Leam Son National Park covers 315 sq km of land shared by Ranong and Phang-Nga Provinces, it also includes around 100km of Andaman Sea coastline –the longest protected shore in the country –as well as over 20 idyllic islets. Much of the coast here is covered with mangrove swamps, home to various species of birds, fish, deer and monkeys (including crab-eating macaques), often seen while you’re driving along the road to the park headquarters.
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Nam Tok Khiri Phet
This small waterfall, 2km from Ban Salak Phet, is a 15-minute walk from the road and rewards you with a small, deep plunge pool. It's usually quieter than many of the larger falls and is easily reached if you're in the neighbourhood of Ao Salak Phet.
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Ban Salak Phet
In the southeast pocket of the island is Ban Salak Phet, a surprisingly bustling Thai community of fisherfolk and merchants plus lots of bike-riding kids and yawning dogs. This is what most of Ko Chang looked like less than a generation ago. Just beyond the commercial heart of the village is Ao Salak Phet, a beautiful blue bay serenely guarded by humpbacked islands. Most visitors come for the seafood restaurants or to cruise the lonely byways for a secluded beach.
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Ko Phayam
Ko Phayam has plenty of places to stay and is a friendly, demure little island. It has only a few hundred inhabitants, mostly Thais and Burmese, with a smattering of expats and a few dozen chow lair (sea gypsies) thrown into the mix. Tourists congregate on the island's pretty beaches, but locals support themselves prawn fishing, cashew-nut farming or working on the rubber plantations. Interesting fauna in the area includes wild pigs, hornbills, monkeys and snakes.
There's one 'village' on the island, where you will find the main pier, a couple of simple eateries, some small grocery stalls and a bar. From the pier area, motorcycle taxis scoot you to the bungalow operations…
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JYSK Sea Safari
This company stands out for its off-the-beaten-path approach to holiday travel. It takes passengers on an authentic fishing vessel for a four-day adventure around the archipelago with sea kayaks and snorkelling equipment. This isn't a holiday cruise - there's one teeny bathroom and everyone sleeps on thin mattresses on the roof deck, but it's a fantastic way to experience life at sea and to take in the majestic vistas. You can decide where you prefer to end your voyage.
Prices include transport from Bangkok, and these can be renegotiated for those who only want to do the boat portion of the trip.
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Nai Khai Ranong
Nai Khai Ranong is the former home of Koh Su Chiang, a Hokkien who became governor of Ranong during the reign of King Rama V. These days, it is a combination clan house (clubhouse for Chinese who share the same surname) and shrine. It's on the northern edge of town and is worth a peep.
Of the three original buildings, one still stands and is filled with mementos of the Koh family's glory days. The main gate and part of the original wall also remain.
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Ko Laun
The region's best diving is around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this mini archipelago has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility here is much better than near Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m. Ko Laun is a shallow dive perfect for beginners. This small rocky island can be circumnavigated and has lots of coral, schooling fish, puffer fish, morays, barracuda, rays and the occasional turtle.
reviewed
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Ko Yak
The region's best diving is around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this mini archipelago has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility here is much better than near Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m. Ko Yak is a shallow dive perfect for beginners. This small rocky island can be circumnavigated and has lots of coral, schooling fish, puffer fish, morays, barracuda, rays and the occasional turtle.
reviewed
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Hun Kuak Maa
The region's best diving is around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this mini archipelago has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility here is much better than near Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m. Hin Kuak Maa is probably the top dive and is home to a coral-encrusted wall sloping from 2m to 14m and attracting swarms of marine life.
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Wat Hat Som Paen
The village of Hat Som Paen is a former tin-mining community. At Wat Hat Som Paen visitors feed fruit to the huge Ъlah ploo·ang (black carp) in the temple stream. The faithful believe these carp are actually tair·wá·dah, a type of angel, and it's forbidden to catch and eat them. Legend has it that those who do will contract leprosy.
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Ranong Mineral Hot Springs
Ranong Mineral Hot Springs offers pools hot enough to boil an egg (65°C). Like the three bears of Goldilocks fame, the names of the three springs translate as Father Spring, Mother Spring and Baby Spring, and each has its own distinct smell (all horrid). The spring water is thought to be sacred, as well as having miraculous healing powers.
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Ban Kwan Elephant Camp
This is one of only a couple of places in the region where you can straddle one of these gentle giants and wander for awhile. The camp takes in elephants that have outlived their working usefulness and lets them live out their days close to nature. A 90-minute 'experience' involves feeding, bathing and of course, an elephant ride.
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Hin Luk Bat
The seamounts off the southern tip of Ko Chang stretch over 32km to Ko Kut, offering a new frontier of diving opportunities in Thailand. Hin Luk Bat is a rocky, coral-encrusted seamount with depths of around 18m to 20m that acts as a haven for schooling fish.
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Hin Lap
The seamounts off the southern tip of Ko Chang stretch over 32km to Ko Kut, offering a new frontier of diving opportunities in Thailand. Hin Lap is a rocky, coral-encrusted seamount with depths of around 18m to 20m that acts as a haven for schooling fish.
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Andaman International Dive Center
Live-aboard diving trips run from Ranong to world-class bubble-blowing destinations, including the Burma Banks and the Surin and Similan islands. The speciality is four-day, four-night packages. Try Andaman International Dive Center at the bus station.
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Ko Khang Khao
Ko Khang Khao is known for a beach on its northern end, which is covered with colourful pebbles. Although underwater visibility isn't great around the island, it's a little better than on Ko Chang as it's further from the mouth of the Mae Nam Chan.
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Oscar's
Located in the main village on Ko Phayam, this modern bar looks a little incongruous in its backwater setting. If you're after late (for a remote island) night shenanigans, however, it is the place to go to hobnob with the locals.
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Nam Tok Punyaban
Nam Tok Punyaban is a well-known waterfall within walking distance of Hwy 4. Just take a sŏrng·tăa·ou (small pickup truck) and ask to be let off at the nám đòk (waterfall).
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Nam Tok Ngao
Nam Tok Ngao is a well-known waterfall within walking distance of Hwy 4. Just take a sŏrng·tăa·ou (small pickup truck) and ask to be let off at the nám đòk (waterfall).
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Bailan Herbal Sauna
Set amidst verdant greenery, you can sweat inside this round adobe sauna as long as you like, with a number of different herbal concoctions to choose from. They also offer massage and facial treatments. Pure bliss!
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A-One-Diving
Try A-One-Diving for live-aboard diving trips running from Ranong to world-class bubble-blowing destinations including the Burma Banks (Mergui Archipelago) and the Surin and Similan islands.
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Hat Praphat
About 50km south of Hat Bang Ben, is Hat Praphat, very similar to Bang Ben with casuarinas and a long beach. There is a second park office here, which can be reached by road via Hwy 4 (Petchkasem Hwy).
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Sophon's Hideaway
This expat favourite has everything, including internet access, a free pool table, a pizza oven, full bar, water features and rattan furnishings aplenty.
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