About Ranong Province
Ranong is Thailand's wettest province — receiving over 4,500 mm of rainfall annually — and one of its least visited. This rainfall sustains extraordinary biodiversity: Kaeng Krachan may be Thailand's largest national park, but Ranong's mangrove forests, Myanmar border waterways, and the Surin and Similan islands to the south make it a paradise for divers and nature lovers willing to make the effort. Ranong town is famous for its natural hot springs and its proximity to the Myanmar border at Victoria Point (Kawthaung), offering an easy visa run destination. The province is unhurried, undeveloped, and genuinely off-the-beaten-track.
Top Highlights
Ranong Hot Springs
naturally heated water in a public park at the city centre
Surin Islands
some of Thailand's best diving, with manta rays and whale sharks
Myanmar border at Victoria Point (Kawthaung)
easy visa run by boat in minutes
Laem Son National Park
mangrove forests, quiet beaches, and coastal biodiversity
Getting There
Ranong Airport (RUT) has limited service from Bangkok. Most visitors arrive by bus — Ranong is about 8 hours from Bangkok's Southern Terminal and 3 hours from Chumphon. From Ranong pier (Saphan Pla), boat taxis run to Kawthaung in Myanmar in under 15 minutes. The Surin Islands are accessed by liveaboard from Ranong or speedboat from Khuraburi pier (2 hours south).
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Senior Travel Writer · Bangkok · 12+ years in Thailand
James has lived in Bangkok since 2014 and has visited all 77 Thai provinces. He specialises in destination guides, itinerary planning, and transport logistics. Before moving to Thailand, he worked as a travel journalist in Hong Kong and Singapore. He speaks conversational Thai and is a certified PADI divemaster.
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