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Hat Chan Damri
Located about nine kilometres from downtown Ranong along Highway
No. 4004 (Ranong-Pak Nam), this small beach and pier, and
a nearby hillside viewpoint offer good vantage points from
which to witness seafaring life along the mouth of Ranong's
principal river. From here visitors can see across to Victoria
Point of Ko Song in Myanmar of further out to the many other
islands, big and small, which dot the Andaman Sea. The hilltop
viewpoint is a particularly good location for watching Ranong's
sunsets. The Jansom Thara Resort, situated above the beach,
offers boat trips to some of the islands.
Hot Springs and Raksawarin Arboretum
Located about 2 kilometres east of the provincial office,
the hot springs have been a popular tourist spot ever since
King Rama V visited Ranong in 1890, and named the road to
the hot springs 'Chon Ra-u', meaning 'hot water'. There are
three natural spring pools. The temperature of the water in
the pools remains constant at about 65 ?C. The water is both
potable and suitable for bathing. Doctors routinely prescribe
bathing in the pools for both medical treatments and as a
relaxing way to ease stress and tension. Surrounding the hot
springs is a deep shaded forest called 'Raksawarin', where
resting pavilions and wash rooms have been provided for the
visitor's comfort. Nearby Wat Tapo Tharam also provides bathing
rooms for visitors who want to enjoy the healthy mineral water
from the thermal springs.
Ko Chang
With an area of 18 square kilometres and 80 homes on the entire
island, Ko Chang welcomes visitors with a quiet, unspoiled
tropical island ambience. Like Ko Phayam, boats can be chartered
from the Ranong Pier. The island can be reached within 1 hour
by long-tail boat. There are four beaches on the west of the
island. Private bungalows are available.
Ko Phayam
Two hours by boat from the Ranong Pier, Ko Phayam is famous
for both its long fine white sandy beaches and for the cashew
nuts which are grown on the island. A number of sea gypsies,
or Chao Le, live on the island as well. The waters between
Ko Phayam and the nearby islands of Ko Hai Hin and Ko Chang
often provide excellent game fishing. To get to Ko Phayam
visitors can charter boats from Ranong Pier for about 1,000
baht per trip. Visitors can also charter speedboats from Ko
Phayam Resort. Prices range from 2,000 to 4,000 baht, depending
on the size of the boat. Reservations can be made by calling
0 7781 2297, 0 1323 0436.
Namtok Ngao
Located in Tambon Ngao in the vicinity of Khlong Phrao National
Park, the steep Ngao Waterfall can be seen from a great distance
away because of its commanding height. The area is home to
a unique species of crab. Known to locals for years as Pu
Chao Fa. This fresh water crab has just been recently classified
by the scientific community and added to the world's list
of shellfish. These crabs, easily recognised by their white
bodies and dark purple mouths, live in crevices or under dry
leaves along the banks of the small creeks which run from
the waterfall. Interestingly, the biologist who first classified
this species, Professor Phaiboon Naiyanet from Chulalongkorn
university, named the crab Phricotelphusa Sirindhorn in reverence
to Her Royal Highness, Princess Sirindhorn.
Ngao Mangrove Forest Research Centre
Located about 15 kilometres from the town centre, the Ngao
Mangrove Forest has been declared a World Biological Sanctuary
Zone by UNESCO owing to the essential role this mangrove plays
in maintaining the region's ecological integrity. Many species
of marine life come to the mangrove to mate, incubate their
eggs and care for their young until the offspring are strong
enough to face the perils of the open sea. The centre offers
guided forest walks. Arrangements can be made by writing to
the Chief of Ngao Mangrove Forest Research Centre, Mu 4, Ban
Lang, Tambon Ngao, Amphoe Mueang, Ranong 85000 at least three
weeks in advance of a proposed visit to the centre.
Phu Khao Ya (Grass Hill)
Known to local residents by a variety of names and endearingly
referred to as Thailand's version of a Swiss pasture, this
hill, located in Tambon Ngao on Highway No. 4 (Ranong-Phang-nga)
about twelve kilometres from downtown Ranong, is something
of an anomaly as it is completely treeless, being covered
instead by a thick blanket of grass. Numerous walking trails
and good vantage points offering unbroken views of the countryside
make this hill the most popular in Ranong.
Victoria Point of Ko Song
As an island in neighbouring Myanmar, Ko Song offers visitors
a variety of local products, souvenirs such as wicker basketry
and lacquerware, and gems. Long-tail boats can be hired in
Pak Nam Ranong or on the Ranong Pier. The boat ride to Victoria
Point takes about 15 minutes each way and costs between 200
and 300 baht. Before embarking on this excursion, visitors
must obtain a boarding card issued by the Ranong Immigration
Office in Pak Nam Ranong, tel : 0 7782 1216. Jansom Travel
also offers tours to Ko Song |
