Ranong is a small border city and a major fishing and trading port in Southern Thailand. It is the capital of the southern province named the same, which is the northernmost province on the west coast. Planning a trip to Ranong in Thailand? This detailed Ranong travel guide with travel tips will help you discover the city and its best things to do.
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The border of Myanmar is on the west, making Ranong an attractive spot for travelers who want to use a border crossing with Myanmar for visa runs or traveling overland to Kawthaung in Myanmar or the other way.
The city is also a starting point for traveling to a pair of exceptionally laid-back nearby Thai islands, Koh Phayam and Koh Chang Noi. The Indian Ocean is nearby (the city center is only 7 km from the ocean), and journeys to Thailand and Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago diving sites can be organized from Ranong.
Ranong is also known for a long rainy season, as the monsoon here starts earlier and lasts longer than in most of Thailand. The rainy season can last up to 8 months in the province.
Things to do in Ranong
The city itself has very limited tourist interest as it is only offering a peaceful atmosphere and not much more. However, the surrounding area contains various natural attractions, so you can find some things to do in Ranong and visit hot springs, unspoiled mangrove forests, mountains, jungles, nice waterfalls, islands, scenic coastlines, and even a canyon.
Raksawarin Hot Springs and Public Park
Raksawarin Hot Springs and Public Park is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ranong. It is located 2 km away from the town. There you can find 3 natural hot springs and a nice public park in the area, which is accessed for free.
Koh Phayam
Koh Phayam is a nice island in the Andaman Sea about 35 km from Ranong. It‘s a laid-back and one of the most beautiful of Thailand‘s islands. Koh Phayam is a perfect place for those who want to get away from everything and just spend some time on one of its wide and uncrowded beaches.
Koh Chang Noi
Koh Chang Noi is the largest island in Ranong province, even if it is not as popular as Koh Phayam. Koh Chang Noi is located about 4 km to the north of Koh Phayam. It can also be reached by boat from the pier in the city.
You can find several basic accommodations on the island that can also be booked online here: accommodation in Koh Chang Noi.
When checking for information about the island, make sure not to get confused with the much better-known Koh Chang Island in Trat Province of Eastern Thailand.
Other attractions
Namtok Ngao National Park – home of a steep 300 m high Ngao Waterfall and many other waterfalls and hot springs.
Laem Son National Park – a coastal park that extends out to the sea and covers many beautiful islands, such as a great snorkeling island, Koh Khai Yai; the island with pure white sand, Koh Kam; and the home of thousands of bats, Koh Kang Kao.
Ranong Canyon - an old mine in the area surrounded by mountains that is filled with water and is a great spot for relaxing.
Where to stay in Ranong
If you come to Ranong in the afternoon, it might be that there will be no ferries going to the islands, and you will have to overnight there. The best place to stay in the city is near the bus station or in the center of the town. Accommodations in the city center can be found here: Hotels in Ranong City Center.
One of the best-rated hotels in the city is The Iconic Hotel Ranong, which is well recommended.
To get the best deal on accommodation, make sure to compare hotel deals on Booking.com with often better special offers on Agoda.
How to get to Ranong
Ranong is located 568 km south of Bangkok and can be easily accessed from there by bus or by plane. You can also take a train, but the nearest railway station is more than one hundred kilometers away.
Flights to Ranong
Ranong airport (UNN) is 23 km south of the city. At the moment there is 1 daily flight departing from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) in Bangkok to Ranong. The flights are operated by the low-cost airline AirAsia. The flight from Bangkok departs at 11:40. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Flight tickets can be booked here: Flights from Bangkok to Ranong.
The airport is well-served by taxis, making it easy to reach the city center. Once you arrive at the airport, there are usually taxis waiting to take you to the city or directly to the pier. You can also ensure your transfer from the airport by pre-booking a private taxi from Ranong Airport.
It is also possible to fly from Bangkok to Chumphon (122 km from Ranong) or Surat Thani (around 220 km from Ranong) and then take a bus or minivan, but it is quite unpractical.
Bus to Ranong
If you are traveling to Ranong from Bangkok, you can get an overnight bus from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal. The journey by bus takes about 8-9 hours.
The buses of the governmental company 999 Bus, or Bor.Kor.Sor., run from Bangkok every day. Private bus companies also cover this route. They also run from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal and stop at Ranong bus station. But you can also get dropped off at their offices in the city. Most of the departure times are around 19:00-20:00. You can go to buy the ticket at the Southern Bus Terminal. However, it is safer to buy tickets at least one day in advance as the number of seats is limited.
Bus tickets can be booked online here: Bus from Bangkok to Ranong.
Minivans to Ranong are also available from Chumphon, Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani.
If you will be taking an overnight bus, you will be able to catch the first morning boat to Koh Phayam or Koh Chang Noi. If you take the daytime bus, it will arrive too late for catching a boat to the island on the same day.
For ferry tickets and schedule, check here: Ferry from Ranong to Koh Phayam.
Train to Ranong
There is no direct train from Bangkok to Ranong. The closest railway stations are located in Chumphon and Surat Thani.
For more information about the Southern Line train schedules or for buying train tickets online, check:
Trains from Bangkok to Chumphon
Trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani
Chumphon - Ranong
You can take a bus or minivan from Chumphon. The distance between these 2 cities is 122 kilometers. The trip takes about 2.5 hours. Minivan is a faster but more expensive option.
Minivan tickets can be booked here: Minivans from Chumphon to Ranong.
Surat Thani – Ranong
A bus (from Tarad Kaset 1) or minivan (from Tarad Kaset 2) from Surat Thani town is available. The distance is 193 kilometers, and it takes about 3.5 hours.
Best way to travel
What is the best way to travel from Bangkok to Ranong? It all depends on your preferences.
Detailed information about the options for covering this route that can make you decide on the most suitable transportation can be found here: Bangkok to Ranong.
Different transportation options can be compared, and transport tickets can be booked with the help of this search form.
Weather in Ranong
The province has only two seasons - the wet and the dry. Between November and April the weather is mostly dry with little rain expected for much of this time but rains start earlier and end later here than in other west coast destinations. Shoulder months of November and April can still see plenty of rain.
The amount of rain Ranong gets is the biggest in all of Thailand, and the rainy season here can expand up to 8 months in the province. The most serious rainfall here occurs from June to September.
Destinations after Ranong
After visiting the province and its most popular island, Koh Phayam, you can travel further south and visit the beautiful Khao Sok National Park. There you can explore a picturesque lake, discover the jungle, and even sleep in a bungalow above the water.
Khao Lak in Phang Nga province is one of the most popular seaside resort areas for tourism.
Located on the same coast, Phuket is the largest and most popular island in Thailand, which is well developed and attracts millions of tourists.
You can also travel to Chumphon, which is the nearest pier used for getting to Koh Tao - the most popular diving destination in Thailand.
