Ranong – the town

10 May 2010

Ranong, the capital of the province with same name, nestles in the very heart of a tropical rainforest. This unostentatious town will provide you with a number of attractions - from the nearby Sapha Pla port you can reach neighbouring Burma by longboat and in the Jansom Thara hotel spa you’ll relax in tropical gardens and swimming pools fed by natural hot springs.

Thailand | Longboats will take you to nearby Kawthaung (by fredalix )

Attractions

A number of remains of old buildings dating back to the Hokkien, a Chinese people who once settled here, are preserved in the town. To familiarise yourself more closely with the town’s history you might want to visit Na Khai Ranong, the former residence of Koh Su Chiang, the Chinese-descended first Governor of Ranong. . Both the architecture of this building complex and the artefacts it houses fully depict the history and culture of the Hokkien.

Cultural diversity

Ranong has an atmosphere typical of a settlement which is both a port and a border town. Clearly visible here is not only the influence of Chinese culture but also of the neighbour of the province – Burma. You can meet here almost as many Burmese people as Thais and in many small restaurants Burmese music is played. Even the signboards on the shops and cafes etc. appear in Thai and Burmese.

Trips in and around Ranong

Tourists visiting Ranong often go on outings to the Burmese town of Kawthaung (formerly Victoria Point), located on the far bank of the Pak Chan river, where, on a small inshore island, casinos and golf courses are scattered about. Kawthaung is a duty-free zone, and to cross the border here you don’t need a visa. From the port 5 km from the town (you get there by songthaew) you can reach the nearby islands of Ko Chang and Ko Phayam.

Thailand | Ranong is first and foremost a port town (by silkebaron )

A holiday getaway

Ranong is a great place to stay for a few days, especially for those who look for a break from crowded touristy towns. You should remember to take proper outer clothes in case it rains, as the weather in this region tends to be very changeable. However, if you want to see a real rainforest, don’t you think the best scenery for this is when raindrops are falling on your head?

Tourist information

In the small province of Ranong, the tourist infrastructure was not particularly well-developed for a long time. In recent years however, it has undergone many changes – interesting places to stay have been opened and the opportunities to rent vehicles and go on trips outside the town have been enhanced. The best place to get all the necessary information concerning accommodation and trips is Pon’s Place, at 129 Thaon Ruangrat – both a tourist agency and a restaurant offering traditional Thai fare. It’s open every day from 7.30 am till 9 pm. You can get detailed information on 081 597 4549 or via its e-mail address ponplace@hotmail.com, which is protected from spamming robots (Pon’s Place). To see it you must have JavaScript enabled in your browser. At Pon’s Place you can book a cruise (for which a visa is needed) to Burma, start an organised tour of the area, reserve accommodation in Ko Chang or Ko Phayam, rent a bike, motorbike or car, and also buy tickets for the means of transport of your choice. Thanon Ruangrat, mentioned above, is the main street. with the greatest number of shops, internet cafes and hotels.