Ranong

Ranong is a small but spread out city that is a popular crossing point between Burma and Thailand for farang who use it for their visa-run.

The city itself is a backwater and mainly deals in the frugal fishing industry. Around the Sangpla Pier the visa-run cottage industry has now bloomed into a full-scale enterprise. With the Andaman Club sucking in the punters who want an easier crossing.

Ranong is one of the most rained on places Thailand, an early English writer mistranslated Ranong for 'rained-on'.

Around Ranong there are some sights. Chiefly the Hot Springs east of the city, along with the Ranong Canyon.

Ranong Facts

Founded: 1800s A.D

Population: 25,000 (Approx)

Size (Metropolitan): 5 Sq. Miles

Typical Visa Run Destination: Ranong and then Victoria Point

Seasons and Weather.

The southerly located Hua Hin is, like many of its neighbors, one which is hot and humid. However the coastal geography means it benefits both from easterly and westerly winds that blow in from the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand respectively. The city see's considerably more rain during the wet season. It is somewhat hotter than the northern Thai cities.

Cool Season - October to February. Avg Temp - 27 C

Hot Season - March to May. Avg Temp - 33.5 C

Wet Season - June to September. Avg Temp - 31 C.

Getting to Ranong

Being about 420 km from Bangkok means about 4.5 to 7 hours drive time. A distant airport operates flights out of the city but this is usually on an infrequent basis.