Touring Along the Andaman Coast From Chumphon to Ranong

| March 10, 2016

The route along the Andaman coast from Chumphon to Ranong is definitely one of the most pleasant touring routes in Southern Thailand, imbued with pristine nature of the diverse geographical feature. and steep in history and cultural heritage. Chumphon is about 498 kilometers south of Bangkok. known as the “Gateway to the South” and the “Land of Tropical Fruits”. as the country’s main source of fruits since ancient times. Crossing from Chumphon to the west coast. and you reach Ranong. the “land of 8-Month Rains and 4-Month Sun”, the most rained-on place in Thailand.
The route starts in Muang District of Chumphon, heading south on Highway 41 up to the Lang Suan-Phato Intersection, then turn right onto mountain road westwards to Ban Ratchakrut Intersection, and on to Highway No.4 along the Andaman coast, through various natural attractions of Ranong in Muang, La Un, and Kraburi Districts. The route then turns eastward to Pathomphon Intersection, the entrance into Chumphon Province, completing the tour with full satisfaction.
Start off in the city of Chumphon with delicious local food, and, during July and August, plenty of tropical fruits such as durian, dugu or long-gong, langsat, rambutan, salacca and mangosteen, with a specialty as the golden finger banana, fresh and preserved. The major production site is Lang Suan District, about 76 kilometers from the city area.
Top tourist destination in Muang District is Hat Sai Ri – the Oval Beach. From the city, use Highway 4001 and 4t19, turning right before reaching Paknam Chumphon, into Highway 4098, and continue for about 17 kilometers. A monument to H.R.H.Prince Abhakorn of Chumphon, the Father of the Thai Navy, has been built in the form of a model warship, HMS Phra Ruang, facing the sea. on the site of his death.

From Hat Sai Ri, turn back into the city and cross the railway into Highway 327., continue up to Pathomphon Intersection and turn left onto Highway 41. Drive on southwards for about 45 kilometers to Sawi District, renowned for “Sawi Pineapple” with golden and fragrant crispy flesh. Continue southwards across Thung Tako District, for about 30 kilometers, up to Lang Suan-Phato Intersection and turn right on Highway 4006, a distance of about 69 kilometers. The route turns west towards Ban Ratchakrut Intersection of Ranong Province. The mountain road starts here, with sharp bends at some points, and rich forested hills on both sides. 15 kilometers after passing Phato District, at kilometer 11, turn left at the crossing and continue along a gravel road for 7 kilometers. A further trek of 500 meters takes to Haeo Lorn Waterfall, a major cascade within the Khuan Mae Yai Mon Wildlife Reserve. During November and February, white water rafting can be taken from Haeo Lorn Waterfall along Bok Fai Canal, taking about 2 hours.
Turning back to Highway 4006, continue westwards towards Ban Ratchakrut along descending mountain road. At Ban Ratchakrut Intersection, turn left into Highway No.4, going south past Kapoe District to Suk Samran Sub-District, with 3 natural attractions, namely Ton Phet Waterfall, Khao Phra Narai Waterfall, and Laem Son National Park. Ton Phet is a major waterfall in the mid of rich fertile forest, about 10 kilometers from Ban Ratchakrut Intersection, with a gravel road to the left leading to the waterfall. No accommodations can be found in the area. About 3 kilometers before reaching Kapoe District, turn left at the crossing through Kapoe forest for about 2 kilometers to Khao Phra Narai Waterfall, in a pleasant atmosphere. Laem Son National Park has been damaged by Tsunami of December 2004 to some extent. Efforts are being made to rehabilitate the area, on Hat Bang Ben in Muang Klang Sub-District. The national park is about 6 kilometers from Kapoe District, take the right turn at kilometer 657 on Highway No.4, and continue for 10 kilometers to the park office. It is a long sand dune covered with thick pine groves. Hat Bang Ben is also linked to Hat Laem Son and Hat Praphat, and covers Kam Islands and Khao Kwai Bay, which can be visited by boat.
Backing off to Ban Batchakrut Intersection, you can take the right turn and continue along Highway No.4 up north, with the Andaman on the left. The 2-lane road climbs up and down and passes some flatlands. About 2 kilometers before reaching Phukhao Ya – the grass mountain, at Ban Lang in Ngao Sub-District, turn left and follow a small path for about 5 kilometers to “Ranong Mangrove Forest Research Center” a world famous eco-tourism site, recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1997, as one of the richest mangrove areas in Asia and the Pacific, and the least troubled mangrove forest in Thailand. The area covers the mangrove forest along Kraburi River at the Thai-Burmese border, over 122,5000 rai or 49,000 acres. Visitors can opt to spend an hour walking along the nature study trail, an 850-meter-long concrete bridge or take a boat tour lasting about 3 hours, to view the rich mangrove forest in Ngong Canal, including giant mangrove plants, 2 meters in circumference, over 25 meters in height, presumably no less than 200 years old.

About 2 kilometers north of the Ranong Mangrove Forest Research Center along Highway No.4, there are two major attractions, Ngao Waterfall National Park on the left and Phukhao Ya on the right. Ngao Waterfall can be seen from the road, with water tumbling down a lofty stone cliff, spectacular in the rainy season. Accommodations, camping ground, food shops and bathing areas are available. It was also the site where the Panda Crab, one of the world’s rarest species, was found. Phukhao Ya is regarded as a symbol of Ranong and an Unseen Thailand site. It comprises low hills covered by grass, which is green from May to October and golden from November to April You can park your car at the foothill and walk up the hill to watch the sunset over the Andaman or ride a mountain bike over the grass hills.
Only 12 kilometers further north is the city of Ranong, with several attractions such as the cemetery of the first governor of Ranong, on Highway 4004 on the right, about 1 kilometer from the municipality area, and the hot springs at Raksawarin Park, about 2 kilometers west of the city hall. The three springs are called father, mother and child springs, with water of abo-ut 65 degree Celsius. Shelters and bathing facilities are available in the park.
A visit to “Phayam Island” can be made by boat from the fishing port. The island lies about 33 kilometers from the river mouth of Aanong. It is inhabited by fisherfolk and is known as the source of the best cashew nut in Ranong. No accommodations are available on the island. Also, visitors can cross to Myanmar at “Victoria Point” or Ko Song. A shuttle boat from the fishing port to Victoria Point takes only 15 minutes. Only Thai nationals are allowed to cross the border using border pass obtained at the immigration checkpoint on Saphan Pia Road.

Highway No.4 takes you further north through mountainous areas. About 15 kilometers from the city area, at kilometers 588-589, on the right is Punyaban Waterfall, a lovely cascade, 15 meters in height, situated in a well-landscaped area, with shelters, food shops, and souvenir stalls. Passing La Un District at kilometer 580, take a right turn at the crossing and continue on the asphalt road for about 3 kilometers to Khao Fa Chi Telecommunications Center, located on Fa Chi Hill, 259 meters above the sea level. 1t serves as a vantage point to watch the sunset over the converging Kraburi and La Un Rivers. From La Un to Kraburi District, the route is a 2-lane mountain road. Before reaching Kraburi District at kilometer 563-564 a right turn leads to Phra Khayang Cave 1 kilometer inside. The cave regard as a sacred place in Kraburi. About 40 meters from the entrance there is step leading to the opening to the hill above believe to the site of rare herbal plants. Torchlight and candles must be prepared to explore the cave. Further on Highway No. 4, at kilometers 556-557, take a left turn along a 2-lane asphalt road for 13 kilometers to “Thung Raya – Na Sak Wildlife Reserve”, located at Nam Chuet Sub-District, Kraburi District. A highlight here is “Bok Krai Waterfall”, a major waterfall with a large pool to take a dip at the first tier, with food shops and tents on rent. The last site on the route is “Kra Isthmus“, the narrowest point on the Malay Peninsula .. spanning 44 kilometers, with a large concrete board showing the map and indicating the narrowest point of the land bridge set up to the left of High· way No.4 at kilometer 545. The view of Kraburi River running along the Thai-Myanmar border can be observed here.
In the neighborhood, a delicacy of Ranong Province, Thap Li Buns, is offered in scores of shops lining the road at Ban Thap Li. Also famous is Thap Li chicken rice. The route from Ban Thap Li passes flatland and meets Highway 41 going southwards at Pathomphon Intersection.

Ranong Map Thailand

Category: Chumphon, Ranong