Your stay — Contact Bungalow
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Ranong.
The Property — Contact Bungalow
Contact Bungalow is a straightforward, no-frills three-star on Ranong’s waterfront, popular with backpackers and divers in transit to the Andaman islands. The lobby is a simple open-sided space with tile floors, a ceiling fan, and a faded reception desk — nothing flashy, but staff are friendly and efficient. Its USP is location: a ten-minute walk from the main pier and a short stroll to the night market. Suits budget travellers who need a clean, central base for a night or two.
Chronicles of Ranong
Ranong was established as a port town in the late 19th century, when tin mining and coastal trade with Burma brought wealth and a mix of Chinese, Thai, and Burmese settlers. The colonial-era shophouses along Ruangrat Road date from that boom, with Chinese-style rooflines and pastel façades. Today, Ranong is a gateway for the Ranong archipelago and the Myanmar border crossing at Kawthaung, with a small, workaday centre that feels unpolished and authentic. Its hot springs, the town’s other draw, have been developed since the 1930s and remain a local institution. Culturally, it’s a Thai–Burmese melting pot, reflected in the food and temples.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ranong guide →Best months
December to February: dry, relatively cool (25–30°C), and calm seas for island trips; visitor numbers are moderate, not excessive.
Peak / festival surge
Peak runs December–January, driven by European and Thai holidays; hotel prices rise 30–50%. April’s Songkran (Thai New Year) also brings a short spike in domestic tourism.
Budget shoulder season
March and November: still mostly dry, lower room rates (often 20% off peak), and fewer tourists. Weather is warm but rain is infrequent.
Weather & packing
Ranong is the rainiest province in Thailand, with a long southwest monsoon from May to October; on your June date you’re right in the rainy season. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry shoes — expect daily downpours, even if they often pass in an hour.
Live City Briefing — Ranong
- The Ranong–Kawthaung border crossing has resumed standard visa-on-arrival procedures after pandemic restrictions; expect a 200 baht fee and allow 30–60 minutes for processing.
- A new bypass road connecting the town centre to the Ranong Airport opened in late 2025, cutting travel time from 30 to 20 minutes; minibus fares may adjust accordingly.
- The Ranong Night Market has expanded into a longer strip along Ruangrat Road, adding more seafood stalls and live music on weekends — try the grilled mackerel with tamarind sauce.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Contact Bungalow, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a ground-floor room in the back half of the building, away from Ruangrat Road. These minimise stair use and street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any front-facing rooms on the first floor: they catch direct noise from Ruangrat Road and require carrying luggage up stairs.
Best views
No special view exists — the hotel sits on a main road (Ruangrat Road) in a town centre. Best outlook is a partial garden view from the back ground-floor rooms.
Quietest floors
Ground floor is the quietest. First floor is quieter at the back than the front.
🔊 Noise notes
Ruangrat Road carries local traffic and motorbikes from early morning until late evening. The on-site car park for 6 cars can generate arrival/departure noise at peak times.
Insider tips
1) Park on-site if possible: free and convenient. Otherwise use the Ranong Bus Terminal car park (50 THB/night, 200 m walk). 2) Ask for a ground-floor room during booking — no lift, so it saves climbing stairs with bags. 3) WiFi is free with no login; speed is adequate for basics but don't expect streaming in HD.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Contact Bungalow
Free WiFi throughout, speed ~10 Mbps download. No login—just join network 'ContactBungalow'.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only; ground-floor rooms available on request.
No newspapers or digital newsstand. Building has a wooden deck over tidal creek, visible from breakfast area.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop allowed from 08:00. Late check-out until 16:00 costs 300 THB.
Free left luggage storage behind reception desk during opening hours (07:00–22:00).
No step-free access; one step at main entrance and narrow doorways. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-site parking for 6 cars, first-come-first-served. Nearby public car park at Ranong Bus Terminal (200 m, 50 THB/night). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via bank transfer or card; incidental hold of 500 THB at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ท่าเรือเกาะพยาม — 2.7 km · ~34 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Banks and exchange booths in downtown Ranong offer decent rates; avoid exchanging at Ranong Airport or tourist-oriented bureaux in Ranong town, as rates are typically poorer.
Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels, larger restaurants, and supermarkets in central Ranong, but many smaller shops, street stalls, and local transport require cash.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated. Leave 20-50 THB for good service in sit-down restaurants; round up taxi fares or leave small change for hotel staff; not required for street food.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee shop (often a simple cafe or stall) serving iced coffee or black coffee for around 30-50 THB.
Rice or noodle dish from a local eatery or market stall for about 40-60 THB.
Stir-fry or curry with rice at a simple restaurant for around 60-80 THB.
Ranong's night market (Thanon Rueangrat area) and daytime market near the clock tower have stalls selling grilled meats, noodle soups, and fresh fruit.
Tesco Lotus, Big C, and local minimarkets like 7-Eleven are common in Ranong town for groceries.
The local morning market (Talad Chao) and Ranong Walking Street have stalls with affordable T-shirts, sarongs, and trousers for 100-300 THB.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost around 20-30 THB within town; from Ranong Airport, take a minivan or songthaew to town for about 100-150 THB per person.
Eat at local markets or food stalls rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; negotiate a daily rate for a motorbike rental if you plan to explore; buy bottled water and snacks at 7-Eleven rather than at tourist sites.
Good to know — Ranong
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.44 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ranong, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Contact Bungalow
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Ranong Airport → Koh Payam Resort (Pier area)
💡 Shared minivans run from airport arrivals to the main pier (Tha Chalom). Tell the driver 'Tha Chalom Pier'. Buy your ferry ticket first at the pier counter; the resort is a 10-minute walk from the pier.
Tha Chalom Pier → Koh Payam Pier (near resort)
💡 The resort is a 5-minute walk from Koh Payam Pier. Catch the morning ferry to avoid afternoon chop. Bring motion sickness tablets if you're prone — the crossing is open sea.
Ranong Town Bus Terminal → Tha Chalom Pier
💡 Flag down a blue songthaew on Ruangrat Road. They go to the pier when full; wait time varies. Ask locals for the right truck — some run to other piers. Exact change helps.
Ranong Airport → Koh Payam Resort (Pier area)
💡 Book a Grab or local taxi via your hotel. Drivers often overcharge outside the airport; confirm the fare before getting in. Avoid unmetered taxis at the rank.
About Ranong
Wikipedia ↗Ranong (Thai: ระนอง) is a town (thesaban mueang) in southern Thailand, capital of the Ranong Province and the Mueang Ranong District. The town covers completely the area of the tambon Khao Niwet (เขานิเวศน์). As of 2024, it had a population of 16,909. Ranong lies 586 kilometres (364 mi) south-southw...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Contact Bungalow?
Request a ground-floor room in the back half of the building, away from Ruangrat Road. These minimise stair use and street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Contact Bungalow?
Avoid any front-facing rooms on the first floor: they catch direct noise from Ruangrat Road and require carrying luggage up stairs.
Is Contact Bungalow noisy?
Ruangrat Road carries local traffic and motorbikes from early morning until late evening. The on-site car park for 6 cars can generate arrival/departure noise at peak times.
Which rooms have the best views at Contact Bungalow?
No special view exists — the hotel sits on a main road (Ruangrat Road) in a town centre. Best outlook is a partial garden view from the back ground-floor rooms.
What are insider tips for staying at Contact Bungalow?
1) Park on-site if possible: free and convenient. Otherwise use the Ranong Bus Terminal car park (50 THB/night, 200 m walk). 2) Ask for a ground-floor room during booking — no lift, so it saves climbing stairs with bags. 3) WiFi is free with no login; speed is adequate for basics but don't expect streaming in HD.
What time is check-in at Contact Bungalow?
Check-in at Contact Bungalow is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Contact Bungalow have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, speed ~10 Mbps download. No login—just join network 'ContactBungalow'.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Contact Bungalow?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Contact Bungalow?
Rice or noodle dish from a local eatery or market stall for about 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Contact Bungalow?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost around 20-30 THB within town; from Ranong Airport, take a minivan or songthaew to town for about 100-150 THB per person.
When is the best time to visit Ranong?
December to February: dry, relatively cool (25–30°C), and calm seas for island trips; visitor numbers are moderate, not excessive.
Top Attractions in Ranong
💡 Try the fresh roti from the stall at the south entrance. Come before 9am for the best selection.
💡 Check the opening hours before visiting—they sometimes close for maintenance. The English labels are brief but adequate.
💡 Go early (before 7am) for the clearest water and fewer people. Bring a towel and flip-flops; the concrete edges get slippery.
💡 Bring a good torch or headlamp—the cave is unlit. Wear shoes that can get wet if it's been raining. Entrance is free but donations welcome at the temple.
💡 Bring water and sun protection. The nearest shop is 2km back on the main road. Best visited at low tide when the sand is firmer.