TH · Ranong · 9.96°N 98.64°E

ranong

Rainy, green border town with hot springs and boats out to Ko Phayam.

Best time
November to April is the dry season, with calm seas for the islands. From May to October it rains a lot, and some island bungalows close.
How long
2–4 days with the islands
Getting there
Fly from KL to Bangkok (about 2 hours), then about 1.5 hours to Ranong. By road, Ranong is about 4–5 hours from Phuket. Speedboats to Ko Phayam take about 40 minutes.
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TH · Ranongranong9.96°N 98.64°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Rainy, green border town with hot springs and boats out to Ko Phayam.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingRanongTH, Ranong
KLranong
≈ 830 km from KL, as the crow flies
Chedi des Wat Upanantaram, Ranong, Ranong province, southern Thailand

Photo: Atimedho · Public domain

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small, green town on Thailand's west coast, facing Myanmar across the Kraburi River estuary, and one of the rainiest places in the country. It has hot springs in the middle of town and boats out to the laid-back islands of Ko Phayam and Ko Chang. Come for slow beach days, not nightlife.

Makan

  1. SeafoodFresh catch from the fishing port, grilled or in spicy southern curries.Map ↗
  2. Cashew nutsGrown on Ko Phayam and around the province, sold everywhere as a snack.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Raksawarin hot springsHot spring pools in a park in town, good for soaking tired feet.Map ↗
  2. Ko PhayamA quiet island with long beaches, no cars and plenty of cashew trees.Map ↗
  3. Ko Chang (Ranong)Not the big one near Cambodia, but a simpler island with wooden bungalows and mangroves.Map ↗
  4. Punyaban WaterfallA tall waterfall right by the main road just north of town.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Boats cross to Kawthaung in Myanmar, but check travel advice and entry rules first. The situation in Myanmar can change quickly.
  • Bring cash to the islands, where ATMs are few.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.