Ranong is the northernmost province on Thailand’s Andaman coast, a narrow strip of forested hills facing Myanmar across the Kraburi estuary. It is the wettest corner of the country, which keeps it green and keeps the crowds away.
Offshore, Koh Phayam is the kind of island people say Thailand no longer has: no cars, narrow concrete lanes for motorbikes, cashew orchards, hornbills overhead and bungalows behind two long bays. Its neighbour Koh Chang (not the big island of the same name in the Gulf) is quieter still.
Top things to do: Ranong & Koh Phayam
Ao Yai and Ao Khao Kwai
Koh Phayam’s two main beaches. Ao Yai (“big bay”) faces west with sunsets and, in the right swell, beginner-friendly surf. Ao Khao Kwai (“buffalo bay”) is calmer and curves around a mangrove inlet.
Soak in Ranong’s hot springs
Raksawarin Park, on the edge of town, has free public pools fed by natural hot springs — a fine way to spend the hour before a flight or bus.
Go further out
In season, boats run from Ranong and Koh Phayam to the Surin Islands, and Ranong has long been the Thai-side departure point for liveaboards to the Mergui Archipelago.
How to get to Ranong & Koh Phayam
- By air: Ranong Airport (UNN) has flights from Bangkok; schedules are limited.
- By road: buses run from Bangkok, Chumphon, Khao Lak and Phuket.
- To Koh Phayam: boats leave from the Koh Phayam pier near Ranong — around 40 minutes by speedboat or two hours by slow boat.
Insider tips
- Most of Koh Phayam shuts down in the monsoon (about May to October), and boats are reduced.
- Electricity and wifi have improved but are still patchy in places. Bring cash; cash machines are scarce or absent.
- Motorbike taxis and rental scooters are the only transport. Paths are narrow and sandy in places.
Best tours & tickets for Ranong & Koh Phayam
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Ranong & Koh Phayam:
Speedboat snorkelling trip from €101 From Khao Lak: Full-Day Snorkeling in the Surin Islands
A long day, but the Surin Islands reward it with some of the best shallow-water snorkelling in Thailand. Runs only in the park’s open season, about mid-October to mid-May.
- Shallow hard-coral reefs
- Far fewer boats than the Similans
- Lunch at the national park station
Speedboat or catamaran trip from €95 Khao Lak: Surin Island & Moken Village Day Tour with Snorkel
Pairs the Surin reefs with a visit to the Moken community that lives inside the park. Go respectfully: ask before photographing people and buy handicrafts directly if you want a souvenir.
- Visit the Moken sea-people’s village
- Several snorkelling stops
- Speedboat or catamaran options
