Ranong

Ranong is the first province of the South of Thailand, located on the Andaman Coast which is 568 km. from Bangkok.  It is a small town with the Kra Isthmus – the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsular.  The longest part of the city is 169 km. long and the widest part is 44 km. long.  The narrowest part is in Amphur Kraburi which is 9 km wide.  The city’s most geographic features are mountain and forests.

Ranong’s Attractions

Ranong Governor’s Grave : the Chinese grave of Phraya Damrongsucharit Mahisornphakdee ( Kho Su Chiang), the Ranong’s first governor.  The grave land was dedicated by King Rama V, located on a small hill.  Both sides of the grave are 15-meter-high ancient stone dolls.  The grave is near waterfalls and souvenir shops.

Ton Phet Waterfall : the 11-level beautiful waterfall with all-year-round cascades from the source of water from Phota Chong Dong Mountains which is the highest mountain in Ranong.

Ngao Waterfall : The waterfall is located in Tambon Ngao which is now the area of Namtok Ngao Natinal Park.  The water flows down from the high mountain ridge, so it can be seen from afar.  Panda crabs, the latest-found crab species in the world, can be found in the waterfall area.

Ngao Mangrove Forest Research Center : a home for young offspring of many species of marine life, wild floras and animals.  If you want to have a field trip, you need to write an official letter to the head of research center at least 3 weeks before visiting, so that the staff can prepare for giving a lecture.

Phukhaow Ya (grass hill) or Khaow Hua Lan (bald hill) or Khao Phee (ghost hill) : the treeless hill with green grass.  In rainy season, the hill becomes lush and hill, but in summer, the grass dies and the hill becomes brown.

Hat Chan Damri : 8 km. from Ranong’s Governor Grave is the beach with a high hill that you can see the estuary village’s view and Koh Song or Vitoria Point of Myanmar.  It is a good place to see the sunset.

Victoria Point or Koh Song : an island in Myanmar with the Kraburi River separating between Myanmar and Ranong.  It is the center collecting local products such as jewelry, wickers, Myanmar’s lacquerware.  Tourists can take a long-tailed boat to Myanmar with the ticket price 200-300 baht.  Before going to Myanmar, you have to go to the immigration office first. 

Koh Phayam : It takes about 1-2 hours from the pier at Ranong estuary to the island.  The island is known for its white sandy beach and a place for planting cashew nuts.  A number of sea gypsies live on the island, and you can rent a private long-tailed boat for 1000 baht to go back to the mainland.

Traditions and Festivals

Phra Tham Phra Khayang Fair : the fair is held during Chinese New Year’s Day for 3-7 days.  People can go to Khayang Cave to pay homage to holy things.

Ga Yu Fair : every March is the time when Ga Yu trees or cashew nut trees are fully ripe.  In the fair, there are crop competition, performances, and agricultural shops.

Image Boat Procession and Races : boats will be beautifully decorated and the Buddha image will be placed on the boat.  The boat will be paraded along the Kraburi River community.

Andaman’s Mexican Sunflower Fair : The event is held every December in Chansomthara Resort and Hat Chan Damri.  In the event, there are boat races between Thai and Myanmar people, and also joyful performances.

Shopping

Peals and seashell products can be easily found around Punyaban Waterfall and Chansomthara Resort.

Cashew nuts are Ranong’s local products, furthermore, dried seafood, shrimp paste, and dried shrimp are popular ones to purchase.  

Credits: www.tourismthailand.org/