Ranong was one of the few stops where I did not feel the hoard of foreign tourist and the city was a perfect blend between bustling and serenity. In a way Ranong had just the right amount of things to do to keep me interested for a few days and it was always a relaxing type of activity with nature.
Hot Springs.
This was the primary reason for visiting Ranong. Hot Spring in the Jungle with shaded trees and flowing cold water stream was just perfect to laze the day away. There was two big Hot Spring in Ranong which was RaksaWarin Hot Springs and PornRang Hot Springs.
RaksaWarin Hot springs was a public bath which local Thai and tourist Thai people visit without fail. The well itself is a sight to see and at 60 degrees it was really really hot. Entrance was free, soaking in the nearby pool was free and jumping in the river was free.
A few kilometers down south of Ranong is PornRang Hot Springs which cost 100 Baht for entry but this hot springs was harmoniously built within the jungle landscape with all amenities required for a good full day relaxation hot spring spa retreat. Most locals I observed here came in families for a full day trip pack together with picnic and games for the children to play in the river.
The City
Riding around the city of Ranong i just enjoyed the maze like city which totally ignored tourist. Most tourist reach Ranong and immediately depart for the islands Ko Chang or Ko Phayam so the city itself was not out for tourist money but had all their trades ply out for the community.
Ride to the edge of Ranong by the river-mouth to the sea was the fishing community where big trawlers and commercial warehouse of fishing company saw locals whom worked in groups preparing for that next journey out to sea. I have to say that going into the south fishing village maze started with the fishy stinky smell but seeing the livelihood of the locals was priceless.
Hot Springs.
This was the primary reason for visiting Ranong. Hot Spring in the Jungle with shaded trees and flowing cold water stream was just perfect to laze the day away. There was two big Hot Spring in Ranong which was RaksaWarin Hot Springs and PornRang Hot Springs.
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| Raksawarin Hotsprings Ranong |
RaksaWarin Hot springs was a public bath which local Thai and tourist Thai people visit without fail. The well itself is a sight to see and at 60 degrees it was really really hot. Entrance was free, soaking in the nearby pool was free and jumping in the river was free.
A few kilometers down south of Ranong is PornRang Hot Springs which cost 100 Baht for entry but this hot springs was harmoniously built within the jungle landscape with all amenities required for a good full day relaxation hot spring spa retreat. Most locals I observed here came in families for a full day trip pack together with picnic and games for the children to play in the river.
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| PornRang Hotsprings Ranong |
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| PornRang Hot Springs Ranong |
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| River by PornRang Hot Springs Ranong |
I stumble upon another hot springs which was Phu Lum Phu Hot Springs. I think this one was strictly local local usage. There was no pool for soaking but it was more like a place for a free hot shower in a public area.
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| Phu Lum Phu Hot Springs Ranong |
The City
Riding around the city of Ranong i just enjoyed the maze like city which totally ignored tourist. Most tourist reach Ranong and immediately depart for the islands Ko Chang or Ko Phayam so the city itself was not out for tourist money but had all their trades ply out for the community.
Ride to the edge of Ranong by the river-mouth to the sea was the fishing community where big trawlers and commercial warehouse of fishing company saw locals whom worked in groups preparing for that next journey out to sea. I have to say that going into the south fishing village maze started with the fishy stinky smell but seeing the livelihood of the locals was priceless.
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| Fishing Boats in Ranong |
The center of Ranong had a palace. Rattanarangsan Palace. History wise, I am not so sure but it sure look majestic with its pure wooden structure.
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| Rattanarangsan Palace - Ranong |
I also made a visit to both the Residence of Governer Of Ranong and Chao Muang Ranong Cemetery (Ranong Governers Graves). Similarly I visited this places without understanding what it is about them. I guess with age I was becoming more of a lazy traveler.
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| Residence of Governor of Ranong |
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| Ranong Governors Graves |
The Ranong countryside
I could not help go riding into the countryside for a day trip. With a large mountain as a backdrop in Ranong it was just calling for me to go into the mountains for a ride. I ended up visiting three places which was Wat Hat Som Paen, Huay Sum Peh Dam and Ranong Canyon.
The temple was initially a place I decided to stop for breaks and rest, and get my bearings correct with google maps before exploring around but since I was there i decided to walk around and of course cheated by asking google about the temple itself.
I could not help go riding into the countryside for a day trip. With a large mountain as a backdrop in Ranong it was just calling for me to go into the mountains for a ride. I ended up visiting three places which was Wat Hat Som Paen, Huay Sum Peh Dam and Ranong Canyon.
The temple was initially a place I decided to stop for breaks and rest, and get my bearings correct with google maps before exploring around but since I was there i decided to walk around and of course cheated by asking google about the temple itself.
The temple house the portrait of Luang Phor Khlai which is the famous and highly respected senior monk of Ranong and of course I have no idea who he was but the second information got me looking around the temple more closely.
Wat Hat Som Paen also has a Stupa enshrined with the holy relics of Buddha in the monastery. I found the stupa and the wind light holes chamber allowed me to peak into the stupa seeing the little shrine with mini relics kept there. Have to say, it was an unexpected find.
Riding on I made two more stops which was so scenic I ended up spending so much time (half day) doing nothing at both places. Huay Sum Peh Dam was a beautiful dam storing fresh water and Ranong Canyon was emerald colored lake with fishes so big due to tourist constantly buying and feeding them in the lake.
Traveled on : October 2018
Wat Hat Som Paen also has a Stupa enshrined with the holy relics of Buddha in the monastery. I found the stupa and the wind light holes chamber allowed me to peak into the stupa seeing the little shrine with mini relics kept there. Have to say, it was an unexpected find.
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| Wat Hat Som Pean |
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| Holy Relics of Buddha |
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| Huay Sum Peh Dam - Ranong |
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| Huay Sum Peh Dam - Ranong |
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| Ranong Canyon |
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