Your stay — Rattana
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The Property — Rattana
The Rattana feels like a calm, slightly worn harbour-side guesthouse that prioritises function over flourish. The small lobby opens onto a fan-cooled breakfast area with laminated tables and a view of the street market setting up across the road. It suits budget travellers, ferry trippers, and anyone who treats a hotel as a base for exploring Ranong's hot springs and port rather than an attraction in itself.
Chronicles of Ranong
Ranong was founded in the early 19th century as a small trading outpost on the Kra Isthmus, drawing Chinese and Malay merchants. Its growth spiked in the late 1800s when tin mining boomed, leaving behind a legacy of shophouses and a small Chinatown that still feels functional rather than touristic. The city lost its mining prominence mid-20th century but reinvented itself around natural hot springs, the Ranong Canyon reservoir, and as the jumping-off point for the Myanmar border at Kawthaung. Today it a quiet provincial capital with a mix of Thai, Burmese and Hokkien influences, where life moves at a slow, humid pace and the main square hosts a daily market that smells of dried fish and grilled chicken.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ranong guide →Best months
December to February offer the coolest weather (25-30°C daytime) and low rainfall, making it pleasant for visiting hot springs and exploring the old town without oppressive humidity.
Peak / festival surge
Late December through early January sees a surge of Thai tourists on New Year breaks; hotel prices typically rise 30-50%. The Chinese Spring Festival (late Jan-early Feb) brings a secondary peak from Myanmar-border traders. No major local festival drives it, just school holidays.
Budget shoulder season
March and early April are the best budget months; weather is still dry but hotter, and crowds thin after New Year. November also works with moderate rain and low season discounts.
Weather & packing
Ranong is one of Thailand's wettest cities, with a monsoon season that dumps 400+mm monthly from May to October. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sealed dry bags for electronics, as sudden downpours can flood streets in minutes.
Live City Briefing — Ranong
- The new Ranong-Kawthaung ferry terminal opened in early 2024, shortening crossing times and adding a daily 8:30 am departure; border formalities are smoother but require a passport-sized photo for the Myanmar entry form.
- Hot spring entry fees at Phra Maha Chedi and the public pools were raised to 30 baht in March 2025; the big private resort springs still charge 100-200 baht but offer cleaner changing rooms.
- The old town's main soi (Thanon Tha Chot) underwent a road surface upgrade in late 2025, so expect loose gravel near the fresh market until compaction finishes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Rattana, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, as these are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access (the lift is small and slow). South-facing rooms at the back are quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor—directly above the lobby and reception area, so you’ll hear footfall and phone chatter. Also skip rooms facing the main road (north side) due to constant scooter and truck noise.
Best views
The best view is from corner rooms on the 4th floor facing the hills to the south—you’ll see green slopes rather than the petrol station or taxi rank out front.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest—set back from street and away from common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Ranong’s main road has heavy through-traffic (logging trucks and buses) from 6am to 10pm. The hotel’s own bar on the ground floor plays music until 11pm, and the lift motor is audible on all floors.
Insider tips
1. Park in the rear courtyard (enter via the side alley) to avoid street dust. 2. Check-in agents often offer a free late checkout if you ask politely at 9am—worth it if you’re heading to the hot springs the next day.
- 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 — Rattana
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and lobby; speed roughly 15 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload; no login required, single network
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only areas
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; local Thai papers available for purchase at reception
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 18:00 costs half-night rate (approx 400 THB weekdays / 500 THB weekends)
Free storage at reception for same-day early arrivals and after checkout; longer-term storage upon request, no charge
No step-free access at main entrance (one step about 10 cm); no wheelchair-accessible rooms; lift is narrow (70 cm door) so not fully wheelchair-friendly
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars, no reservation needed; nearest public car park is at Ranong Bus Terminal (1 km away), 50 THB/day; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of first night required for online bookings; 500 THB incidental hold at check-in via cash or card
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Exchange money at banks or gold shops in town for fair rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux which charge poor rates.
Cards accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is king in markets, street stalls, and small shops; contactless is rare.
Not expected, but rounding up taxi fares or leaving small change (10–20 THB) is appreciated in restaurants if service is good; not necessary for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local drip coffee from street stalls or fresh-brewed black coffee at market stalls, around 30–50 THB.
A bowl of noodle soup or rice dish from a food stall or small shop, typically 40–60 THB.
A simple stir-fry or curry with rice at a local eatery, about 50–80 THB for a main dish.
The night market near the Ranong bus station and the streets along Tha Ruea Road have numerous stalls selling grilled meats, som tam, and noodles.
Tesco Lotus Express and 7-Eleven are common for basics; Macro for bulk goods.
Local markets like the Ranong Market (Talad Sod) sell cheap T-shirts, sarongs, and flip-flops; no dedicated budget high street.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10–20 THB for most town routes; minivans from the airport cost around 50–100 THB per person.
Eat at local food stalls rather than tourist-facing restaurants; use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks; buy bottled water and snacks at 7-Eleven or Tesco Lotus Express, not at hotels.
Good to know — Ranong
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.7 · 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 Rattana
🕒 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 Rattana?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, as these are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access (the lift is small and slow). South-facing rooms at the back are quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Rattana?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor—directly above the lobby and reception area, so you’ll hear footfall and phone chatter. Also skip rooms facing the main road (north side) due to constant scooter and truck noise.
Is Rattana noisy?
Ranong’s main road has heavy through-traffic (logging trucks and buses) from 6am to 10pm. The hotel’s own bar on the ground floor plays music until 11pm, and the lift motor is audible on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Rattana?
The best view is from corner rooms on the 4th floor facing the hills to the south—you’ll see green slopes rather than the petrol station or taxi rank out front.
What are insider tips for staying at Rattana?
1. Park in the rear courtyard (enter via the side alley) to avoid street dust. 2. Check-in agents often offer a free late checkout if you ask politely at 9am—worth it if you’re heading to the hot springs the next day.
What time is check-in at Rattana?
Check-in at Rattana is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Rattana have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and lobby; speed roughly 15 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload; no login required, single network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Rattana?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Rattana?
A bowl of noodle soup or rice dish from a food stall or small shop, typically 40–60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Rattana?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10–20 THB for most town routes; minivans from the airport cost around 50–100 THB per person.
When is the best time to visit Ranong?
December to February offer the coolest weather (25-30°C daytime) and low rainfall, making it pleasant for visiting hot springs and exploring the old town without oppressive humidity.
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.