Ranong
Ranong is the northernmost province on Thailand's Andaman coast, located 568 kilometers from Bangkok. The province is known for its long rainy season, which lasts eight months a year. Mountainous and densely forested, Ranong is best known for its capital city of the same name, a major fishing and trading port. Originally settled by Hokkien Chinese, their strong influence is still evident in the city today. Ranong also serves as a gateway to Myanmar. Colorful longboats transport goods and people across the narrow waterway that separates the two countries. Since the opening of a casino at Victoria Point in Myanmar, shipping traffic has increased even further. Not far from Ranong are the famous Ranong Hot Springs. An arboretum and several first-class hotels attract visitors who wish to benefit from the healing properties of the mineral waters.
Visitors to Ranong should not miss these attractions: the Governor's Tomb of Ranong, the Chinese tomb of Phraya Damrongsucharit Mahisornphakdee (Kho Su Chiang), the first governor of Ranong. Commissioned by King Rama V, the tomb sits atop a small hill. Fifteen-meter-high antique stone statues flank the tomb. Nearby are waterfalls and souvenir shops. Also worth seeing is the Ton Phet Waterfall, a beautiful eleven-tiered waterfall that flows year-round and is fed by the Phota Chong Dong Mountains, the highest peak in Ranong. The Ngao Waterfall is located in Tambon Ngao, now part of Namtok Ngao National Park. The water cascades down from a high mountain ridge and is visible from afar. Panda crabs, the world's newest crab species, inhabit the area around the waterfall. Phukhaow Ya (Grass Hill), Khaow Hua Lan (Bare Hill) or Khao Phee (Ghost Hill) – a treeless hill covered in green grass. It is lush and green during the rainy season, but in summer the grass withers and the hill turns brown.
Victoria Point, also known as Koh Song, is an island in Myanmar, separated from Ranong by the Kraburi River. It is a center for the sale of local products such as jewelry, basketry, and lacquerware. Tourists can reach Myanmar by longtail boat for 200–300 baht. A visit to the immigration office is required before entering Myanmar.
For those wanting to spend a few nights on an island, Koh Phayam is a great choice. The crossing from the pier at the Ranong estuary takes about one to two hours. The island is known for its white sandy beaches and cashew nut plantations. Koh Phayam is home to a number of sea nomads, and you can hire a private longtail boat for 1000 baht to return to the mainland.
Among the festivals not to be missed are the Phra Tham Phra Khayang Market, which takes place for three to seven days during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Visitors can explore the Khayang Cave and pay their respects at the sacred sites. The Ga Yu Market is held every March when the Ga Yu (cashew) trees are in full fruit ripening. The procession and races with Buddha statues on boats are also unforgettable. The boats are magnificently decorated and adorned with Buddha statues, and then parade through the streets along the Kraburi River, accompanied by the local population.
• The months of May to October are the wettest of all rainy months in Ranong.
For a Thai island that is truly off the beaten track, Phayam in Ranong is one of the least visited islands in Thailand.
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