Major city · Thailand
Ranongระนอง
Come for 1–2 nights only if you want a Myanmar visa run, hot springs or the ferry to Ko Phayam; otherwise skip it and stay on the Andaman islands.
Ranong is a small, working Thai border town on the Northern Andaman Coast, 568 km from Bangkok, with the country's longest rainy season — about eight months a year. It is not a beach resort. People come for three concrete reasons: the boat crossing to Kawthoung in Myanmar (a visa run), the Raksawarin hot springs, and the ferry to the quiet islands of Ko Phayam and Ko Chang. Everything else is a stopover.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (driest window; still expect rain)
- avoid May–Oct (southwest monsoon; heaviest Jun–Sep)
- Airport
- UNN
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ranong191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ranong, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyRanong is a low-crime provincial town and generally safe by day and night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (english) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUNN Ranong Airport (About two flights a day from Bangkok Don Mueang (Thai AirAsia); no public transport from the airport…
- Getting aroundSongthaews run numbered routes in town (฿15 (≈ under US$1) a ride) and stop around 21:00, so plan to walk or take a motorcycle taxi later.Songthaews run numbered routes in town (฿15 (≈ under US$1) a ride) and stop around 9:00 PM, so plan to walk or take a motorcycle taxi later.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or iced drink฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice plate฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop฿80–120 (≈ US$3–4)฿35–60 (≈ US$2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week฿300–500 (≈ US$10–16)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person฿250 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿2,500 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿900 (≈ US$30) · Mid ฿1,800 (≈ US$60) · High ฿3,500 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- UNN Ranong Airport (About two flights a day from Bangkok Don Mueang (Thai AirAsia); no public transport from the airport, so share a ride or book a transfer.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Aug (24 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ranong: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
22 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
23 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
24 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
23 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
21 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Songthaews run numbered routes in town (฿15 a ride) and stop around 21:00, so plan to walk or take a motorcycle taxi later. The ferry terminal for Ko Phayam and Ko Chang is about 4 km west of the centre; songthaew 3 from the market goes there. There is no train station — the nearest is Chumphon.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kawthoung, Myanmar
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h plus immigration queues
Songthaew to Saphan Pla, stamp out at Thai immigration, then a longtail across (about 20 min)
Entry costs USD10 (pristine banknotes only) or ฿500; be back at the pier by 16:00 to re-enter Thailand. Border status can change — check official sources first.Entry costs USD10 (pristine banknotes only) or ฿500; be back at the pier by 4:00 PM to re-enter Thailand. Border status can change — check official sources first.
Ko Phayam
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Songthaew 3 from the market to the ferry terminal, then ferry or longtail (several a day in high season)
Beaches and cashew farms; worth at least one night rather than a return day.
Raksawarin hot springs
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Songthaew 2 from the market, or a short motorcycle-taxi ride
Pools sit at about 65°C (149°F); the managed bathing pools charge a small entry fee (around ฿40). Open roughly 08:30–16:30.Pools sit at about 65°C (149°F); the managed bathing pools charge a small entry fee (around ฿40). Open roughly 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.Pools sit at about 149°F (65°C); the managed bathing pools charge a small entry fee (around ฿40). Open roughly 08:30–16:30.Pools sit at about 149°F (65°C); the managed bathing pools charge a small entry fee (around ฿40). Open roughly 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
Laem Son National Park
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or minibus south, then a local songthaew to Hat Bang Ben
Long pine-backed beaches and islands; thin transport, so a day trip needs an early start or your own wheels.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ruangrat Road (town centre)
Guesthouses, market, songthaew lines and the night market; walkable and best for one night.
Saphan Pla / fishing port
Near the immigration office and boats to Kawthoung; practical for an early crossing.
Ko Phayam
Long white-sand beaches and cashew farms; basic bungalows, no cars. Sleep here, not in town, if beaches are the point.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿800–1,500 (≈ US$25–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,500–3,000 (≈ US$50–95) excl. bed
- High
- ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ฿1,200 | ฿2,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ฿1,800 | ฿7,200 |
| Songthaew ride in town2 × ฿15 | ฿30 |
| Longtail to Kawthoung, return2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿350 | ฿700 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿1,093 |
| Trip total≈ ฿3,006 per person per day, bed included | ฿12,023≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or iced drink | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or rice plate | ฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | ฿80–120 (≈ US$3–4) / ฿35–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Songthaew ride | ฿15–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Minibus to ChumphonAbout 3 h; drops off across Chumphon. | ฿180 (≈ US$6) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ฿300–500 (≈ US$10–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Thai–Myanmar border at Kawthoung can be restricted for tourism because of the civil war in Myanmar: check official Thai government sources before you attempt the crossing.
- Do not board a longtail to Myanmar before you have been stamped out at the Thai immigration office at Saphan Pla — otherwise you leave the country illegally.
- Agree the boat price before you get in. A longtail return is around ฿300 (≈ US$10); reports exist of tourists being charged up to ฿1,000 (≈ US$35).
- The Ngao Mangrove Forest Research Centre is temporarily closed as of 2026: check before travelling out.
- Rain is the norm for much of the year; pack for wet days even in the dry season.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police (English)
- 1155
Pocket card
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Ranongระนอง
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ไปที่อยู่นี้ครับ/ค่ะTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police (English)1155
Embassy
Thailand has no embassies in Ranong; the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand missions are in Bangkok. For urgent help, call the tourist police on 1155.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Songthaew in town: about ฿15 (≈ under US$1)
- Longtail Ranong → Kawthoung, return: about ฿300 (≈ US$10), agree before boarding
- Minibus Ranong → Chumphon: about ฿180 (≈ US$6), roughly 3 h
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (tao rai)
- แพงไป — Too expensive (phaeng pai)
- ตม. อยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the immigration office? (tamruat khon khao yoo tee nai)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yoo tee nai)
Carry your passport for the border area; immigration may ask to see it.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ranong. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (driest window; still expect rain) · avoid May–Oct (southwest monsoon; heaviest Jun–Sep) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for UNN: confirm the two daily flights, taxi fallback and a town-centre bed.
- Ferry timetable fixture for Ko Phayam and Ko Chang, with a wet-season cancellation rung.
- Border-status fixture for Kawthoung so the visa-run page can go green or red by date.
- Place pages for Raksawarin hot springs, the governor's grave and the mangrove boardwalk with verified hours.