Southern Thailand · Ranong

Ranong travel guide: hot springs, misty canyon and the Myanmar border

Ranong is a green, rainy province on the Andaman coast facing Myanmar across the Kraburi River estuary. TAT describes its lush valleys, beaches, islands and some of Thailand's best dive sites, and above all its hot springs, which locals use like Japanese onsen. Few foreign visitors stay, which keeps the town relaxed.

AsiaVela editorial teamUpdated 1 October 20263 min read

Steam rising from the mineral-crusted rim of a hot spring basin at Raksawarin — The hot springs at Raksawarin.

Suggested time: 1–2 nights
Where to stay: Ranong town
Season and timing: November to April is driest; Ranong is one of Thailand's wettest provinces in the south-west monsoon.

The short answer

Stay one or two nights. Soak in the Raksawarin hot springs, whose water reaches about 65°C according to the directory, watch the morning mist at Ranong Canyon, and take a boat to the islands offshore in the dry season. Ranong has an airport with flights from Bangkok and is on the road between Chumphon and Phang Nga.

Raksawarin hot springs

At Raksawarin, in town, natural hot springs certified by the Department of Science Service for their minerals flow at about 65°C, without added sulphur, as the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' directory describes. TAT notes that local promoters compare them to Japanese onsen.

Soak in the cooler pools; the source water is too hot to touch.

Ranong Canyon

Ranong Canyon is a lake formed in eroded limestone and white-rock hills, where mist rises from the water every morning, as the directory describes.

Come early for the mist; it is a quiet place for an evening walk too.

Visitors sitting by steaming hot spring pools beside a river at Raksawarin — Bathing pools at Raksawarin.

A rocky river flowing through forest beside the Raksawarin hot springs — The river at Raksawarin park.

Make time for the local food

What to eat and where to look

Seafood

Fish and shellfish from the Andaman coast.

Where to look: Restaurants in town and by the pier.
Fit it into your day: Dinner.

Prices often by weight.

Southern curries

Spicy southern curries over rice.

Where to look: Local restaurants in town.
Fit it into your day: Lunch.

Very spicy.

Market breakfast

Coffee, roti and snacks at the morning market.

Where to look: Ranong town market.
Fit it into your day: Breakfast before the canyon.

Early hours.

Islands and diving

TAT notes that Ranong has stunning islands and some of Thailand's best dive sites offshore. Boats leave from the town pier in the dry season.

Check sea conditions; services are reduced in the monsoon.

Clear shallow water and a wooded island off a sandy beach near Ranong — A beach on Ko Phayam, off the Ranong coast.

A white chedi framed by flowering trees at a temple in Ranong — The chedi of Wat Uppanantaram, Ranong.

The border

Ranong shares a long land and sea border with Myanmar, TAT notes, and the estuary separates it from Kawthaung. Crossing requires the proper border formalities and visa; check current rules.

Do not take informal boat crossings.