Ranong is the provincial capital of Ranong Province.
Understand
A small border town with limited tourist influence and hence still quaintly Thai. Border access via boat to Kawthoung in Myanmar allows visas to be renewed.
Get in
Since the demise of Phuket Airlines, Ranong Airport is devoid of scheduled passenger flights. The nearest train station is at Chumphon.
By bus
Minibuses from Surat Thani cost 180 baht and take around 3 hours. They arrive opposite the main bus station about 1km out of the town centre which is served by motorcycle taxis.
Numerous and relatively frequent full-size buses of various classes connect with Chumphon and Bangkok and all major points inbetween; with Phuket and Krabi via Takua Pa and Khao Lak and other key points in Phang Nga Province (most direct route to Trang and Satun is via Krabi); and with Surat Thani which acts as the gateway to just about everywhere else.
By boat
Hundreds of longtail boats connect Ranong with Kawthoung in Myanmar, and take about 20 minutes to cross. They can be chartered individually or shared with other travellers and/or locals.
Hourly boats (a little larger, also taking about 20 minutes) ferry gamblers to and from Thahtay Kyun, a small island adjacent to Kawthoung where the Andaman Club casino and golf resort has its own immigration facilities.
See
Ranong has a few things to see:
Do
Visa run - is a likely reason to come to Ranong. Songthaews leave from the market on the main road and cost 10 baht to get to Saphan Pla, the fishing port providing the link to Myanmar. Most songthaews end up here eventually, though some follow a longer route than others. You will either be dropped across the road from the immigration office, or at a small roadside cafe a few metres away. Either way it is likely you will be offered a boat by touts. A longtail boat costs 300 baht, whether you're on your own or in a group. There is also a big boat which is used by more organised visa runs, and a small-scale trip via longtail usually coordinated by a white haired chap in a gold coloured pickup who hangs around the bus station. Longtails are faster and fewer people mean less waiting time at the various immigration points. The big boat is slower and takes longer because of the number of passports to be checked, but can work out cheaper. You will need USD10 (in the form of USD banknotes) to enter Myanmar and they like the notes to be in top condition, especially with no writing on them. Local touts sell USD notes, but at very uncompetitive rates. On weekends the Myanmar authorities also require photocopies of your passport done by a small shop at the immigration office for 10 baht. The boat will go to Thai immigration, and the driver will take your passport to be inspected, then the same again at the Myanmar checkpoint where he will...
