Ranong Hotels

Ranong Province is on the west coast of Southern Thailand, and shares borders with Chumphon Province, Phang Nga Province and Surat Thani Province, as well as Myanmar and the Andaman Sea.Kra Isthmus, Grass Hill, Sweet Cashew Nuts, Mineral Hot Springs, Genuine Pearls .Ranong is the first southern province on the western coast, located 568km from Bangkok. It is also known for the long rainy period, which lasts for 8 months each year. Ranong occupies an area of 3,298 square kilometres, with the Kra Isthmus which is the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula, and is bordered by Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the west. Within its compact area, Ranong contains various natural attractions and is blessed with hot springs and unspoilt mangrove forests. On the east bank of the Chan River’s tea brown estuary, the frontier town of Ranong is no more than a short boat ride – or a filthy swim – from Myanmar. In many ways, the capital of Ranong Province is a stereotypical border town: shabby, frenetic and ever so slightly seedy. But while most visitors roll into town for visa services, the town has a thriving Burmese population – keep an eye out for men wearing traditional longyi (Burmese sarong) – a clutch of natural hot springs and a handful of tumbledown historic buildings. In fact, even if you’re not here to renew your visa, it’s well worth taking the opportunity to have a cup of afternoon tea in Myanmar.An increasing number of travellers are showing up specifically to dive the spectacular Burma Banks, 60km north of the Surin Islands. A number of dive operators have established themselves in Ranong (which does lend the city a bit of an expat feel), using it as a jumping-off point for live-aboard trips to the aforementioned Burma Banks.