Visit Ranong | Take your loved one to Ranong, you'll be hooked!

"Land of Eight Rains and Four Suns": Unveiling the Hidden Charms of Ranong

Ranong, a coastal province nestled along the Andaman Sea, is aptly nicknamed the "Land of Eight Rains and Four Suns." This moniker reflects its reputation as the rainiest province in Thailand, a characteristic that shapes its lush landscapes and vibrant ecosystems. Despite its geographical location on the fringes of southern Thailand, Ranong often goes unnoticed by travelers, overshadowed by the allure of more prominent destinations. However, venturing beyond the well-trodden paths reveals a hidden gem, a province brimming with natural wonders, cultural heritage, and unique experiences.

Ranong's allure lies in its harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Its verdant rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and pristine beaches offer a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts. The province boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna, including the elusive gibbons and the majestic hornbills, making it a haven for wildlife observation.

Beyond its natural splendor, Ranong's cultural tapestry is equally captivating. The province's history is intertwined with tin mining, leaving behind remnants of a bygone era in the form of abandoned mines and historical artifacts. The vibrant local communities, with their distinct traditions and culinary delights, offer a glimpse into the authentic charm of southern Thailand.

For those seeking adventure, Ranong presents a plethora of opportunities. From exploring the depths of its caves to trekking through its verdant jungles, the province caters to every thrill-seeker's desire. Kayaking through mangrove forests, diving into the crystal-clear waters, or scaling the rugged cliffs offer unforgettable experiences that connect visitors with the raw beauty of nature.

Ranong's culinary scene is a testament to its diverse cultural influences. The province's signature dishes, such as the aromatic "massaman curry" and the delectable "khao tom mu," tantalize taste buds with their unique blend of flavors. Fresh seafood, locally grown fruits, and traditional sweets further enhance the culinary journey, leaving visitors with a lasting impression of Ranong's gastronomic delights.

In conclusion, Ranong, the "Land of Eight Rains and Four Suns," is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Its natural wonders, cultural heritage, and unique experiences offer a compelling invitation to explore beyond the ordinary. Whether seeking tranquility amidst nature, immersing oneself in local traditions, or indulging in adrenaline-pumping adventures, Ranong promises an unforgettable journey that will leave a lasting impression. So, come and experience the magic of Ranong, and let its charm captivate your senses. You might just find yourself uttering the same words: "Ranong, once you try it, you'll be hooked."

DAY 1

Our journey began at Don Mueang International Airport, where we boarded AirAsia flight FD 3140. The flight took approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, arriving in Ranong Province at 1:00 PM.

Throughout the trip, we used a rental car from Avis Rent A Car, which we had booked in advance with payment upon arrival. The documents required for pick-up were a driver's license, national ID card, and credit card for payment and temporary deposit.

The staff drove to the exit gate to wait for us and took us to check the car's readiness and any pre-existing marks around the vehicle. We use this service regularly because the cars are new and the engines have never had any problems. Another advantage of this service is that you can book before paying. If you book and then change your plans, you can call to reschedule or cancel without any charges.

The airport is not far from Ranong city center. There are many interesting tourist attractions along the way, which can be visited from the first day. First, let's stop by Som Tum Phu Khao Ya restaurant, located on the roadside opposite Phu Khao Ya. The bamboo shoot soup and grilled pork neck are delicious, but the papaya salad is not to our taste.

After lunch, we stopped by the Namtok Hong National Park, the entrance of which is located next to the Som Tam restaurant. The Hong waterfall cascades down from a high mountain and can be seen from afar. However, the water level is low at the moment. If you come during the rainy season, it will be much more spectacular.

Since we're already here, let's walk a little closer to the waterfall. It's only 500 meters away.

And this is the remaining water, slowly flowing down like an elephant peeing.

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There is still enough water for the little fish to swim around.

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Across from the park is Grass Mountain, but seeing the afternoon sun, I decided to skip it for now and come back later in the evening. Instead, I stopped by the Phrang Hot Springs, which is only 7 kilometers from the park.

The resort boasts nearly 10 hot spring pools, each offering a unique and aesthetically pleasing design. The crystal-clear water and comfortable seating provide a relaxing experience, while the lush surroundings create a tranquil atmosphere. The quality of these hot springs rivals those found in international onsen destinations.

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The recommended soaking time is no more than 15 minutes per session. (Other instructions are available on the signs near the pool.) There are washing facilities and changing rooms, but you need to bring your own towel. It is also recommended to buy drinking water at the entrance to drink after soaking. The hot spring closes at 5 pm.

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As the sun began to set and the wind died down, we made our way back to the grassy mountain. We were able to drive close to the site and park our car. There were many people there, enjoying the scenery and taking photos.

Looking at it, we think the grassy mountain looks similar to the hill that is the home of the Teletubbies, don't you? So we imagined ourselves as Laa Laa.

And Tinky-Winky

After gazing at the grassy hills for a while, I grew weary and turned my attention to the friendly and adorable dogs nearby.

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From Grass Mountain, we drove to our accommodation, The Blue Sky Resort Ranong. Situated on a hillside by the sea, it is approximately 10 kilometers from Ranong town and close to the pier for ferries to Myanmar.

Upon arrival, it was already dark, so we decided to have dinner at the hotel restaurant. We ordered two dishes: stir-fried bai leang with egg and deep-fried sea bass with fish sauce. Both dishes were delicious, especially the deep-fried sea bass with fish sauce, which is a must-try.

After finishing the meal, I carried my belongings to the room. On the way, a small dog suddenly ran up to greet me and followed me to the door of the room.

The first night's accommodation was in a Seaview Deluxe room. The room was very spacious and decorated with wooden furniture in a calming white color scheme. In the center of the room was an incredibly comfortable bed.

Fully equipped with amenities

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The bathroom is divided into dry and wet zones by a curtain. There are both regular and rain shower options available.

The small window can be opened to the bedroom, so you won't feel lonely when washing your face and brushing your teeth.

DAY 2

Today, we have an appointment with SeaStar Ranong, a tour company that will take us to the beautiful island of Koh Uber, or rather, Koh Bruer, the most beautiful island in the southern part of the Burmese Sea near Ranong Province. It's a one-day trip with a car pick-up from the hotel to the pier.

Booking a trip can be done directly with SeaStar Ranong. At that time, we booked a little too close to the date and it was already full. However, we were still able to go on the same day as planned because we found this website: www.mamybooking.com (Mamy Booking). This is an agency website that accepts online bookings for diving trips and car rentals, and they had a quota available for the two of us.

Booking is simple and convenient.

Choose your desired trip, read the tour program details before making a decision, select your travel date, fill in your personal information, and pay. It's convenient, fast, secure, and most importantly, cheaper than booking directly. For example, a one-day trip costs 3,900 baht if booked directly, but only 3,500 baht if booked through Mamybooking.

Upon arrival at SeaStar Pier, passengers will register and present their identification cards to obtain cross-border entry and exit documents for Thailand and Myanmar. The tour company will handle all procedures without any additional charges.

The tour company provided us with diving equipment and towels, and we enjoyed a hearty breakfast before setting off.

Embark on a comfortable journey aboard a spacious speedboat, making a stop at two islands in Myanmar for border crossing procedures without disembarking.

The journey to the first diving spot at Koh Dok Mai was swift after a brief stop at the checkpoint.

Non-swimmers and those who are not confident in the water can still enjoy the beauty of the coral reefs and the diverse marine life. Life jackets are provided, and staff are on hand to ensure your safety.

The coral here is incredibly abundant, with schools of diverse fish species swimming all around.

Shy clownfish hide among the anemones.

We spent about an hour at the first dive site before changing plans and heading to Bruer Island. We then switched to the second dive site in the afternoon to wait for the tide to go out further.

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Bruer Island is a newly opened island that has only been open for 4 months (opened around the end of 2017). Therefore, all of its natural resources are still intact and very beautiful.

The island's highlight is Twin Beach, a pair of beaches separated by a sandbar and stretching out parallel to each other. The sand is soft and fine, and the water is crystal clear. Let's take a look at the atmosphere.

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This island is another highly recommended destination for those who appreciate white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a peaceful, secluded atmosphere. It's the perfect spot for a romantic summer getaway with your significant other.

The central sand dune area offers a dining room, restrooms, and shower facilities.

The lunch buffet offers six dishes, including miso soup. The jellyfish with seafood sauce is a must-try.

Accommodation services are available in the form of tents for overnight trips lasting 2 days and 1 night.

The atmosphere on the other side of the beach

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There is a viewpoint where you can see both beaches at the same time.

After spending approximately 2 hours on the island, we continued our journey to the second dive site, located in the southern region of Bruer Island.

This area is densely populated with healthy staghorn and lettuce corals.

And the final diving spot is located near Ko Yan Cheuk.

The three dive sites are stunning and pristine, teeming with vibrant fish of all sizes. Clownfish can be found at all three locations, making for a truly rewarding experience. Credit for the underwater photos: SeaStar Ranong Staff.

The boat safely returned to the SeaStar pier, offering snacks and a ride back to the hotel.

The sun gradually sets behind the mountains on the Burmese side of the Ko Song River.

The second night, we moved to a family-style house with two floors and two bedrooms, located on a hilltop.

The spacious room is decorated in white tones, creating a relaxing and visually comfortable atmosphere.

Offering stunning views of the Burmese coastline, the balcony provides a serene space to relax and admire the panoramic vista of the sea and mountains.

The bed and pillows are soft and comfortable, ensuring a good night's sleep.

The resort's centerpiece is a large infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

The atmosphere as the sun sets is incredibly romantic.

A wooden bridge extends from the poolside to the sea, providing access to the beachfront.

The end of the bridge offers a scenic spot to watch the sunset.

For dinner, we planned to eat out, but we weren't very hungry, so we decided to stop by the hot springs first. The Raksa Warin Public Park hot springs are located near Ranong city center. They are naturally occurring hot springs with three pools: the father pool, the mother pool, and the daughter pool. The Department of Science Service has analyzed the hot springs and found that they contain important minerals. They are the only source in Thailand that is pure and free of sulfur. The water is safe to drink without any filtration, so it is common to see locals filling containers with the water to take home.

Adjacent to the hot spring, there is a pool where visitors can soak their feet. Open until 9 pm, the atmosphere is lively.

In addition to foot baths, there is also a hot spring bath service for 40 baht per person. It closes at 9 pm, but the last entry is at 8:30 pm, and the water starts to be drained. We arrived a little late, so we missed the chance to soak. The view during the day should be beautiful, as there is a stream next to the pool.

Additionally, there is a health plaza where hot spring water flows continuously beneath the concrete floor, radiating heat throughout the plaza at a comfortable and beneficial temperature for the body.

As a result, local residents and tourists brought pillows and mats to lie down in rows, allowing their blood to circulate and relax.

Feeling peckish, we decided to grab a bite at Somboon Phochana Restaurant, located opposite the entrance to the hot spring.

Must-try dishes include the seaweed salad with grapes and the oysters, which are large and fresh, at 80 baht each.

DAY 3

Start your last day with an A La Carte breakfast at the hotel, offering a selection of both Western and Thai dishes.

The recommended menu is shrimp porridge from Koh Phayam. The shrimp are large and firm, and the porridge has a rich flavor that hardly needs any seasoning.

After finishing the meal, I took another stroll on the wooden bridge by the sea.

The sun is quite strong, but the wind is cool and refreshing.

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A dog is lying down and watching over something.

The resort boasts a tranquil and secluded ambiance, enveloped by lush greenery, creating an ideal haven for relaxation and rejuvenation.

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The left side features Family-style accommodations, while the right side offers Seaview Suite and Seaview Deluxe options.

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The Seaview Deluxe room corridor where we stayed on the first night.

This two-story family house can accommodate up to 6 guests (2 extra beds) and is perfect for families or groups of friends.

Interior of the room on the 2nd floor.

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After checking out, we intended to have lunch at Roti Nisra Restaurant in Honga Subdistrict, on the way to the airport, which is famous for both fried chicken and roti. However, when we arrived, everything was sold out, and the restaurant was packed with customers.

Instead, I stopped by the Roti Nisra cart in front of the municipal market to buy some.

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Crispy and soft roti dough, perfectly sweet.

Next door, there is a fried chicken shop. The chicken is marinated and coated in a special batter recipe by the grandmother.

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The deep-fried dish has a slightly darker color, but it tastes delicious. It's best enjoyed with hot sticky rice for an ultimate culinary experience.

The trip concluded with a visit to Wachari Coffee Garden, a cafe near Wat Ban Hongaw, where we enjoyed refreshing iced coffee.

There are seats to choose from, both air-conditioned rooms and swings in the garden.

The coffee has a pleasant flavor, the cocoa is rich, and the atmosphere is tranquil.

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There are two adorable baby birds.

And the cuddly cat that likes to rub against your legs

A Glimpse into Ranong: A 3-Day, 2-Night Escape

This itinerary offers a taste of Ranong, including a glimpse of the Burmese Sea, over a leisurely 3-day, 2-night trip. While time constraints prevented us from visiting every attraction, we prioritized a relaxed pace and spontaneous adjustments to our plans. This allowed us to savor the most captivating sights without feeling rushed. Some locations left us yearning for more, igniting a desire to return and explore further. As the saying goes, "Once you experience Ranong, you'll be hooked."

Itinerary Highlights:

DAY 1

1. Departing from Don Mueang Airport with AirAsia, there is one flight per day as follows:

- Departure time: 11:40 AM - 1:05 PM (flight time approximately 1 hour 25 minutes)
- Return time: 1:35 PM - 3:05 PM (flight time approximately 1 hour 30 minutes)

2. Lunch at Som Tum Phu Khao Ya restaurant

3. Visit the Hongaw Waterfall in Hongaw Waterfall National Park.

4. Soak in the hot springs at the Phrang Hot Springs.

5. Admire the panoramic view of the grassy mountains.

DAY 2

1. Day Trip to Breuer Island, Burma

2. Relax in the hot springs at Raksa Warin Public Park.

3. Dinner at Somboon Seafood Restaurant.

Day 3

1. Enjoy a relaxing stay at The Blue Sky Resort Ranong.

2. Stop by to savor Nisa's roti and special recipe fried chicken in front of Hongaow Municipal Market.

3. Sip a refreshing iced coffee at Wachira Coffee Garden.

4. Return flight with AirAsia

Expense Details

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1. AirAsia flight ticket price 3,350 baht/person

- Book through Traveloka (a travel agency website for booking accommodation and flight tickets) for an additional 7% discount, up to 150 baht (depending on the promotion at that time). Another advantage is that it offers multiple payment options, making it suitable for those who do not have a credit card.

• Contact Information Website: https://www.traveloka.com/th-th/

2. Avis Rent A Car rental fee is 840 baht per day, 1,680 baht for 2 days (4 hours free late return).

• Existing customers can enjoy an additional 100 Baht discount per transaction.

• Contact Information: Website: www.avisthailand.com

3. Accommodation fee at The Blue Sky Resort Ranong for 2 nights (promotional price until March 31, 2018)

• First night in Seaview Deluxe room 2,499 Baht/night.

- Second night, Family room, 5,499 baht/night

• Contact Information Website: https://www.theblueskyresort.com/

4. One-Day Tour to Breuer Island, Burma

• Book directly with SeaStar Ranong for 3,900 Baht per person.

• Book through www.mamybooking.com for only 3,500 baht/person.

5. Food and other expenses: As desired.

Total expenses for 3 days 2 nights: 23,378 baht, or 11,689 baht per person.

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