 Hot
Springs and Raksa Warin Arboretum
 Located about 2 kilometers east of the provincial office, the hot
springs have been a popular tourist spot ever since King Rama V visited
Ranong in 1890, and named the road to the hot springs 'Chon Ra-u',
meaning 'hot water'. There are three natural spring pools. The
temperature of the water in the pools remains constant at about 65 ฐC.
The water is both potable and suitable for bathing. Doctors routinely
prescribe bathing in the pools for both medical treatments and as a
relaxing way to ease stress and tension. Surrounding the hot springs is
a deep shaded forest called 'Raksa Warin', where resting pavilions and
wash rooms have been provided for the visitor's comfort. Nearby Wat Tapo
Tharam also provides bathing rooms for visitors who want to enjoy the
healthy mineral water from the thermal springs.
Ngao Waterfall
Located in Tambon Ngao in the vicinity of Khlong Phrao National Park,
the steep Ngao Waterfall can be seen from a great distance away because
of its commanding height. The area is home to a unique species of crab.
Known to locals for years as Poo Chao Fa. This fresh water crab has just
been recently classified by the scientific community and added to the
world's list of shellfish. These crabs, easily recognized by their white
bodies and dark purple mouths, live in crevices or under dry leaves
along the banks of the small creeks which run from the waterfall.
Interestingly, the biologist who first classified this species,
Professor Phaiboon Naiyanet from Chulalongkorn university, named the
crab Phricotelphusa Sirindhorn in reverence to her Royal Highness,
Princess Sirindhorn.
Ngao Mangrove Forest
Research Center
Located about 15 kilometers from the town center, the Ngao Mangrove
Forest has been declared a World Biological Sanctuary 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. The
center offers guided forest walks. Arrangements can be made by writing
to the Chief of Ngao Mangrove Forest Research Center, Mu 4, Ban Lang,
Tambon Ngao, Amphoe Muang, Changwat Ranong 85000 at least three weeks in
advance of a proposed visit to the center.
 Phu Khao Ya
(Grass Hill) or Khao Hua Lan (Bald Hill) or
Khao
Phi (Ghost Hill)
Known to local residents by a variety of names and endearingly referred
to as Thailand's version of a Swiss pasture, this hill, located in
Tambon Ngao on Highway 4 (Ranong-Phang-nga) about twelve kilometers from
downtown Ranong, is something of an anomaly as it is completely
treeless, being covered instead by a thick blanket of grass. Numerous
walking trails and good vantage points offering unbroken views of the
countryside make this hill the most popular in Ranong.
Chan Damri Beach
Located about nine kilometers from downtown Ranong along highway 4004 (Ranong-Pak
Nam), 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. From here visitors can see across to
Victoria Point of Koh Song in Myanmar of further out to the many other
islands, big and small, which dot the Andaman Sea. The hilltop viewpoint
is a particularly good location for watching Ranong's sunsets. The
Jansom Thara Resort, Situated above the beach, offers boat trips to some
of the islands.
Victoria
Point of Koh Song
As an island in neighbouring Myanmar, Koh Song offers visitors a variety
of local products, souvenirs such as wicker basketry and laquerware, and
gems. Longtailed boats can be hired in Pak Nam Ranong or on the Ranong
Pier. The boat ride to Victoria Point takes about 15 minutes each way
and costs between 200 and 300 baht. Before embarking on this excursion,
visitors must obtain a boarding card issued by the Ranong Immigration
Office in Pak Nam Ranong, tel : (077) 821216. Jansom Travel also offers
tours to Koh Song.
Koh Phayam
 One and half hours by boat from the Ranong Pier, Koh 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. The waters between Koh Phayam and the nearby islands of
Koh Hai Hin and Koh Chang often provide excellent game fishing, snorkeling
and diving. To get to Koh Phayam visitors can get taxi boats daily at 2
p.m. from Ranong Pier for 100 Baht per person. There are several resorts
available like Aow Yai
Bungalows, prices range from 150 Baht to 350 Baht.
Koh
Chang
With only 45 homes on the entire island, Koh Chang welcomes visitors with
a quiet, unspoiled tropical island ambiance. Visitors who wish to
explore the island for more than a day are advised to contact the abbot
at Wat Koh Chang. Like Koh Phayam, boats can be chartered from the Ranong
Pier.
Wat Hat Som Paen
a home to a big herd of Pluang fish, sits close to Raksawarin Park.
This temple also enshrines the effigy of Luang Phor Khlai, a highly
revered monk in the South. From Muang Ranong, take Highway 4005.
Punyaban
Waterfall
a 20 meter high waterfall, is 15 km ahead Muang Ranong. A perfect stop
for those heading further South. |
Laem Son
National Park
Declared a national park in 1983, Laem Son is a coastal park that
extends out to include a number of islands. Covering an area of 315
square kilometers, the park offers white sandy beaches, pine trees
forests, a seascape of nearby islands and great bird watching. The park
office is on Highway 4 (Ranong-Phang-nga), 45 kilometers from the
provincial capital, six kilometers from Kapur. Turn right at kilometer
657 and contine for ten kilometers until reaching the office on Bang Ben
Beach.
 It's easy to see why Bang Ben Beach was chosen to be the location of
the Park's headquarter. A coastal breeze and shady pine trees help to
keep temperatures pleasant nearly all year round. The long white sandy
beach looks out onto a multiude of islands scattered offshore, making
every position on the beach a wonderful view. Just four kilometers from
Bang Ben is Laem Son Beach where visitors can camp and enjoy bird
watching. A number of the islands in the park are worth visiting. From
Bang Ben Beach, local fishermen will take visitors out in their
long-tailed boats to visit the boulder formations on Koh Khang Khao, a
trip that takes about 40 minutes, or 20 minutes further to "Buffalo's
Horn" Island, or Koh Aoa Khao Kwai, aptly named for its shape. (Park's
rangers are also stationed here to assist visitors.) From Bang Ben
Beach, arrangements can also be made to destinations further afield such
as the fabulous beaches on Koh Kham Yai. Travel to this island takes
about 1 hour and a half.
Accommodation and restaurants are available in Laem Son National
Park. Further information can be obtained from either National Parks
Division, Forestry Department in Bangkok, tel . (02) 5797223, 5795734 or
to the Chief of Laem Son National Park, Bang Ben Beach, Tambon Muang
Kloung, Amphoe Kapur, Ranong 85120. |
Located in Ban Thapli, Tambon Lamu at Km 545 on Highway 4, 66 kilometers
northeast of the town center, the Kra is the Malayan Peninsula's
narrowest point, spanning a mere 44 kilometers from the Gulf of Thailand
on the east coast to the Andaman Sea on the west coast. There is a large
cement map to help orient visitors. The Kra provides an excellent
vantage point from which to see the Kra Buri River forming a natural
boundary between Thailand and Myanmar.
