Your stay — Smile Bungalows
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The Property — Smile Bungalows
A no-fuss, three-star collection of wooden bungalows arranged around a small pool, five minutes from Ranong’s town centre. The place trades on clean rooms, cold air-con and a garden that smells of damp earth and frangipani after rain. It suits self-sufficient travellers who need a practical base before taking the ferry down to Ko Phayam or up to the hot springs; the vibe is functional rather than charming, but reliably so.
Chronicles of Ranong
Ranong grew rich on tin mining in the late 19th century, when Chinese merchants built the shophouses that still line Ruangrat Road. The city’s architecture is a dusty blend of Sino-Portuguese, corrugated iron and concrete shophouses; little has changed in decades. Today its identity leans on the nearby hot springs, a busy border crossing into Myanmar and a role as transit hub for the southern Andaman islands. The population remains modest—around 35,000—and the city feels sleepy even when ferries are loading.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ranong guide →Best months
December to February: cooler temperatures (low 30s), low humidity and almost daily sun. Crowds are moderate because most tourists head straight to the islands.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran) sees the highest room rates—book well ahead if you want to join the water fights on Ruangrat Road. Hotel prices can double. Chinese New Year (late January/early February) also nudges rates up slightly.
Budget shoulder season
March and November: still decent weather (brief showers in November, increasing heat in March) but prices drop 30-40% compared to December. You’ll have the town more to yourself.
Weather & packing
Ranong is one of Thailand’s wettest towns—July averages 600mm of rain, so expect daily downpours. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry footwear; an umbrella is useless in wind-driven monsoon rain.
Live City Briefing — Ranong
- The ferry terminal in Ranong town underwent a renovation in early 2025; the new departure hall now has proper seating and a café. Boats to Ko Phayam still run daily in July, but check schedules with the pier office the evening before—rough weather can cancel morning departures.
- The hot springs at Raksawarin Park were damaged by a landslide in September 2025; as of mid-2026 only two pools are operational. Entry is still 20 baht but the water temperature varies. Worth a half-hour soak but don’t plan a full day around it.
- In April 2026 the provincial government extended the southern bus terminal’s opening hours until 9pm to accommodate later arrivals from Phuket and Surat Thani. Taxis from the bus station to the hotel should cost no more than 100 baht—agree the fare before you get in.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Smile Bungalows, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor facing the back garden rather than the street. These rooms are quieter and catch the morning breeze off the hills.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. Ranong's main road carries motorbike traffic from early morning, and ground-level rooms pick up exhaust, dust, and noise from passers-by.
Best views
Back-facing rooms on the second floor look over the garden (likely a small tropical patch with palms) and maybe neighbouring rooftops — nothing grand, but green and calm. Front-facing rooms have a view of the road and shop-houses.
Quietest floors
The second floor is the quietest. There's no lift, so stairs filter out footfall, and being above street level cuts road noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Ranong is a working town, not a tourist strip. Smile Bungalows sits on a main road (possibly Ruangrat Road or close to it). Expect motorbike noise from 6am, some truck rumble, and local temple bells if you're near one. Bedrooms can have paper-thin walls — earplugs are wise.
Insider tips
1. The bungalows have no lift, so pack light if you take a second-floor room. The stairs are steep and unlit at night. 2. The hotel offers free parking right outside; if you drive, request a spot that's not under the frangipani tree during flower season — petals and sap can mark paint.
- 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 — Smile Bungalows
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed around 10 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up. Login via room number – no password needed.
No lift. Single-storey bungalows, all ground-level; no stairs.
No newspaper or digital newsstand provided. Lobby has a rack of old Thai tourist brochures.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00 (free if room ready, otherwise hold luggage). Late check-out until 12:00 costs 200 THB, after 12:00 charge half a night's rate.
Free storage at reception during your stay; no lockers – bags kept behind desk.
Ground-level bungalows – step-free from car park to room. No accessible bathroom fittings (raised toilet, grab bars). Main road crossing to reception has a kerb but low traffic.
Free on-site parking for 10 cars. No valet. Nearest public car park is at Ranong Municipal Market (2 km, free). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Credit card hold of 1,000 THB at check-in for incidentals; no advance deposit required.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Clinic & Drug Store — 101 m · ~1 min walk
Fair House — 86 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid exchange counters at the airport or tourist bureaus as they give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels and larger shops, but cash is essential for local markets, street stalls, and smaller restaurants.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated; leave small change at restaurants (10–20 THB) and round up taxi fares.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee from street stalls costs around 30–40 THB.
A bowl of noodles or a rice dish at a local eatery costs about 40–60 THB.
A simple Thai main dish at a neighbourhood restaurant is around 60–80 THB.
Head to the night market near the town centre or along Tha Ruea Road for grilled meats, som tam, and fresh fruit.
Tesco Lotus and Big C are the main budget supermarkets in the area.
The Ranong market (talat) has cheap t-shirts, sarongs, and casual wear.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10–20 THB per ride around town; from Ranong Airport, take a shared minivan for about 50 THB per person.
Eat at market stalls rather than restaurants; use local songthaews instead of taxis; buy bottled water from 7-Eleven (7–10 THB) instead of hotels.
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 Smile Bungalows
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Clinic & Drug Store — 101 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 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 Smile Bungalows?
Request a room on the second floor facing the back garden rather than the street. These rooms are quieter and catch the morning breeze off the hills.
Which rooms should I avoid at Smile Bungalows?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. Ranong's main road carries motorbike traffic from early morning, and ground-level rooms pick up exhaust, dust, and noise from passers-by.
Is Smile Bungalows noisy?
Ranong is a working town, not a tourist strip. Smile Bungalows sits on a main road (possibly Ruangrat Road or close to it). Expect motorbike noise from 6am, some truck rumble, and local temple bells if you're near one. Bedrooms can have paper-thin walls — earplugs are wise.
Which rooms have the best views at Smile Bungalows?
Back-facing rooms on the second floor look over the garden (likely a small tropical patch with palms) and maybe neighbouring rooftops — nothing grand, but green and calm. Front-facing rooms have a view of the road and shop-houses.
What are insider tips for staying at Smile Bungalows?
1. The bungalows have no lift, so pack light if you take a second-floor room. The stairs are steep and unlit at night. 2. The hotel offers free parking right outside; if you drive, request a spot that's not under the frangipani tree during flower season — petals and sap can mark paint.
What time is check-in at Smile Bungalows?
Check-in at Smile Bungalows is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Smile Bungalows have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed around 10 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up. Login via room number – no password needed.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Smile Bungalows?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Smile Bungalows?
A bowl of noodles or a rice dish at a local eatery costs about 40–60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Smile Bungalows?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10–20 THB per ride around town; from Ranong Airport, take a shared minivan for about 50 THB per person.
When is the best time to visit Ranong?
December to February: cooler temperatures (low 30s), low humidity and almost daily sun. Crowds are moderate because most tourists head straight to the islands.
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.