Ranong, Koh Chang and Koh Phayam
Despite
being a small province, Ranong is abundant with natural
attractions;
the sea, islands, mountains, forests, waterfalls, mangroves forests.
Yet, it is barely known among overseas tourists. This lush and rainy
province bordering southern Myanmar, Ranong has among its
attractions hot springs and stunning marine parkland. Indeed, this
province offers a lot more than just another coastal province.
Bordering southern
Myanmar and 600 kilometres south of Bangkok, mountainous Ranong
Province receives more rain than elsewhere in Thailand, covering it
in lush greenery. Ranong town began as a Chinese Hokkien settlement,
and this is evident from its older architecture. One example is Nai
Khai Ranong, the former home of Koh Su Chiang, a Hokkien governor of
Ranong during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Situated in
the north of the town, only one of the three original structures
still exists. Now a clan house and shrine exhibiting relics of the
Koh clan, it is open to visitors.
Koh
Chang, the largest island in Ranong. The island is part of Mu Koh
Phayam National Park. There are small fishing villages on the
island. Most of villagers moved from Surat Thani and Koh Pha Ngan
about four decades ago. This is an interesting site worth visiting
since their way of life remains untouched by mainstream tourism.
Many of Koh Chang’s nice beaches are found at the west. There are
some shallow coral reefs around the island for snorkeling. The
longest beach on the island is Ao Yai. The four kilometer long beach
is safe for swimming and has a wooden bridge that links to another
beach on the eastern part of the island. Several bungalows are
available on Ao Yai. Another nice beach is Ao Khai Tao. The beach is
located in the western end of the island and can be reached by boat
only. It is the site of Ao Khai Tao National Park Ranger Unit. You
can swim at the beach or trek to the viewpoint for 5 kilometres.
There is no accommodation is on this beach.
To get to the island,
you can get on a local boat at the pier near Ranong estuary.
The trip takes about 2 hours.
Thirty
three kilometers from the shore is a small island of Koh Phayam. The
island has beaches that are both peaceful and pristine. The wide
sandy beach has the backdrop of forested hills, which is a habitat
of monkeys, boars and a variety of sea birds. There is a small
community of friendly Buddhist islanders on the island, mostly
cashew nut farmers. They get around the island via a small tarmac
road which is capable of accommodating motorcycles only. That means
there is no car on this island.
Perhaps the island’s
best beach is Ao Yai. It is located at the southwest of Koh Phayam
Pier. The beach is about 2 kilometres long and filled with white
clear sand. From this beach, you can see Koh Kam, Koh Surin and Koh
Yan Chuek in Myanmar.
Bungalows for rent can
be found at the north of Ao Yai. At the back of the bungalows are
coconut and cashew nut farms. The beach offers a real retreat for
travelers who prefer quiet surroundings.
There is another beach
called Ao Khao Kwai at the northwest of Koh Phayam Pier. The beach
has white clear sand and crystal clear water. Koh Yan Chuek of
Myanmar can be seen from this beach. You can find bungalows for rent
on this beach as well.
To get there, travelers
take a boat from Koh Phayam pier behind Pak Nam police station in
Ranong. The journey takes about 2 hours.
