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The Andaman's northernmost province is a whole different package to the white-sand, turquoise-sea paradise that is used to sell the Andamans on tourist brochures. Thailand's least populated and wettest region gets up to eight months of rain a year, so it's soggy, while beaches along the coast are scarce.
The upside is that Ranong's forests are lush and its smattering of beautiful islands – Ko Chang and Ko Phayam especially – remain relatively under the radar. Most visitors, though, come here to cross the border to Myanmar.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Ranong Province.
National Park
Located 12km south of Ranong, this 668-sq-km park preserves a rainforest and a 300m-high tiered waterfall. A short trail leads up to a section of the waterfall where you can wade into the stream. The area is also home to locally celebrated panda crabs, an unusual freshwater crab with a white body and purple mouth. Both this park and the Pornrang Hot Springs can be visited with the ticket bought at the hot springs.
Hot Springs
This hot-spring area 6km south of Ranong offers several pools of varying temperatures and a cooler pool for swimming fed by a stream. Your entry ticket will also get you into the Ngao Waterfall National Park, another 6km down the highway, so both sites can be visited for the price of one.
Buddhist Temple
Shrouded in jungle just north of the main pier, on Ko Phayam's east coast, you'll find a majestic golden Buddha here flanked by a three-headed naga (serpent).
Village
A Moken (Sea Gypsy) village is located at the western side of Buffalo Bay. From the end of the road you need to walk through deep sand and cross a river on a hand-pulled rope pontoon. It's also accessible from the northern end of Ao Yai (a 45-minute walk). Signs at the village warn tourists to dress appropriately (no bikinis). It's best to go with Fiona, Australian director of the local NGO All For Villages, which has an office near the main pier.
National Park
The Laem Son National Park covers 315 sq km of land, shared by the Ranong and Phang-Nga Provinces, and 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, deer and monkeys (including crab-eating macaques), often seen while you’re driving along the road to the park headquarters.
Buddhist Temple
This pretty refuge at the base of a hill was originally a resting place for Buddhist pilgrims. A temple was constructed on the site in 1987. You can hike up the concrete steps behind the temple for great views of the valley. There's a pond nearby where enormous protected fish lurk in the dark waters. The temple, around 13km south of Ranong, is close to the Ngao Waterfall National Park; they can be visited together.