RANONG – CHUMPHON 3 DAYS-2 NIGHTS

  • Ranong – Chumphon 3 days-2 nights.
  • Day 1
    • Grass Mountain
    • Sintering Wisdom Learning Center Som Pan Beach Community
    • Namnong Hot Spring
  • Day 2
    • Ban Muang Kluang Sub-District Tourism Community Enterprise
    • Ban Rai I-Arun
    • Khao Matree View Point
    • Batik Phadaeng Kru Anong
  • Day 3
    • Khao Khiao Forest View Point
    • Chia Farm
    • Thung Wua Laen Beach

Day 1

The first place I recommend is Grass Mountain, which is located in Mueang District. It had a mountain without large trees and is covered with grass. Therefore, this is the origin of the name Grass Mountain. There is a walkway up to the ridge that has 360-degree views. Each mountain is not very high and they can connect with each other.

Grass mountain can be visited all-year round. During the dry season (November to April), Grass Mountain is golden brown, but when entering the rainy season (May – October), it will turn green. So, many people have popularly called this place as “Two-coloured Grass Mountain”.

  • Mu 1, Ngao Subdistrict, Mueang District, Ranong
  • Open daily
  • Free of charge

Sintering Wisdom Learning Center Som Pan Beach Community

Som Pan Beach is just 10 kilometres from the city, and is in a small subdistrict in a valley that has retained the unique charm of a village of tin mining. More importantly, if you go there, you can also do mineral panning activities.

  • Had Som Pan Sub district, Muang District, Ranong
  • Open daily 09.00 hrs. – 16.00 Hrs. (appointment at least 3 days in advance)
  • Tel. 080 040 2425, 090 424 8513 (P.Somchok)
  • Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BaanHatsompaen/

Som Pan Beach has been an important old mining community in Ranong from the past to the present. Mining here is a kind of squirt mine that uses a water cylinder to pump the sand and ore from the mine. Then, water is sprayed on the sand to find the ore. Only a small percentage of the mining uses a digger and carries the ore to be washed.

The name “Som Pan Beach” is distorted from the word “Huai Zam Pian”, which in Chinese means deep in the valley. For searching for tin, you have to go deeper to find ore in the valley. At present, even tin ore is declining. However, one of Asia’s top-quality kaolin has also been discovered here, which is known for its transparency. This can be exported abroad and sold domestically as well.

End the first day at Nam Nong Hot Spa.

This natural hot mineral water spa is located near the Raksawarin Hot Springs. The highlight here is using mineral water that is directly connected from the Raksawarin Hot Spring, which is considered to be one of the best quality mineral waters in the world. There is a special feature as it has no sulphur smell, and it is drinkable and rich in minerals that are beneficial for the body.

  • Khao Niwet Subdistrict, Mueang District, Ranong
  • Open daily from 10.00-20.00 Hrs.
  • Tel. 084 625 3444, 077 828 388, 081 666 2285
  • Benefits of soaking in mineral water.
    • Stimulates blood circulation and helps to dilate blood vessels.
    • Relieves pain. – Nourishes the skin.
    • Stimulates the body’s metabolic system.
  • Here, there are also other services; such as,
    • Massage to relax the muscles – loosen the lines
    • Thai massage
    • Facial massage
    • Foot massage
    • Scrub

Day 2

Muang Kluang Subdistrict, Khlong Lat Not Tourism Community Enterprise

If anyone wants to get close to nature and do a variety of activities, I recommend to come here because there are sightseeing cruises, planting mangrove forest, eating delicious fresh seafood from the cage, and wet rafting.

  • Mu 3, Muang Kluang Subdistrict, Kapoe district, Ranong
  • Open daily from 08.00 – 16.00 Hrs.
  • Tel. 087 885 7965 (Preecha), 082 278 6099 (Tuan)

The first activity is taking a priest boat to see the view. This boat looks like a small long-tail boat with seating for only 3 people including the boat driver.

On the day that I went there, it was raining that shows that this is really the “eight rainy four sunny city”. So, anyone visiting Ranong must be prepared and check the weather in advance, but actually, riding on a boat in the rain is another fun way.

Another point here that I really liked was the fish cage or the so-called floating learning centre. This was our lunch spot.

If you don’t eat seafood, you might be teased for not arriving in Ranong. Let me tell you that the food here is spectacular, and the prawns, clams, crabs and fish will dazzle you. The freshness and deliciousness are guaranteed. Another menu that I don’t want you to miss is “Prawn Curry with Sompoi Leaves”, a clear soup with a slightly sour taste, and the shrimp meat is bouncy and so tasty.

Let me remind you that don’t eat until you forget to take a look at the view. Because even though it rains on the cruise, when the rain stopped what was the most visible thing was the faint mist on the mountain, and the clear water reflecting the image of the beginning of the open sky. The cool breeze blew and delicious food filled the table. Not for all the tea in China would I miss out on this.

The next activity according to the programme was wet rafting to see the spine Pung Ku (millipede spine), which was the name of this place named to coincide with the sea of the dragon’s back in Satun province. The highlight is mangrove planting that in addition to being fun, it also helps to increase the natural resources as well.

Unfortunately, it rained again, so I could not do wet rafting and mangrove planting. But don’t worry I found a picture for you to see.

  • 1 day package for 2 – 60 people travelling by themselves at the price of 1,350 Baht per person.
  • Transportation service in Ranong city costs 1,900 Baht per person.
  • Khlong Lat Not Meeting point, Visitor Service Centre, Khlong Lat Not Pier
    • Take a priest boat to see the mangrove ecosystems and admire the views of Kapoe Bay and Ranong Lake.
    • Conserve and plant mangroves at the planting plots of the community, and watch the seahorse dunes.
    • Eat seafood and also sit and enjoy the view. We had free time to relax.
    • Wet rafting and swimming in the water at the spine. Visit the local fishermen’s lifestyle and coastal aquaculture along with the landless community.
    • Go ashore, take a shower, and change clothes at the learning centre of Muang Kluang Subdistrict.
    • Travel back safely.

Ban Rai I-Arun

Located in Kapoe district, it is both a coffee shop, restaurant and farm stay. The atmosphere and interior of “Ban Rai I-Arun” is cute and warm in almost every corner.

The welcome lobby (for guests) and food ordering counter is a 2-storey bamboo house with seating both above and below. There is a stream made by small weirs and waterfalls flowing through, and there are tables, chairs, and hammocks to sit and relax.

Don’t worry about eating. The agricultural products here are organic. In addition to growing food for their family and accommodation, the products also share sales as well. I can certify that it is absolutely safe. I also learned that Ban Rai I-Arun is very determined to help develop the livelihood of the villagers to move forward with their accommodation.

Unfortunately, that day, I had eaten before. Therefore, I ordered only drinks. The staff told me that bio glass was produced from plants used here and are 100% biodegradable, while the paper straws can be used for almost 2 hours. You will feel the intention and attention to every detail here. It is true to the idea that “small things with the heart come from the farm … to your hands”

Khao Matri Viewpoint

Located on the Chumphon-Paknam-Hat Sai route, this is another interesting viewpoint in Chumphon, where you can see the view overlooking the Pak Nam Chumphon community and the beaches of the Chumphon Sea that tourists like to take photos. In particular, during the sunset, there is a 360-degree view.

  • Pak Nam Subdistrict, Mueang district, Chumphon
  • Open daily from 06:00 – 19:00 Hrs.
  • Tel. 082 480 2161 (Tham Sing Coffee Shop at the Khao Matri Viewpoint)

There is a coffee shop called Tham Sing with a balcony to see the view on the east side. You can sit and look at the sea view, and drink a cup of coffee with cake. It’s very enjoyable. In addition, the coffee shop here is also a selling point for the community enterprise of Ban Tham Sing Coffee Group. I couldn’t help but buy 2 bags of Chumphon’s famous Roast and Ground Robusta coffee.

You will see the Pak Nam Chumphon community on the west side, which is a large community because it is a fishing port. It is a popular photo spot for tourists who come here, and if anyone is hungry, there is also a small restaurant nearby.

In addition to the viewpoint, there is also a statue of the Guanyin Goddess or Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Pang Maharajlila sits facing to the beach of Chumphon, so if you come to see the view, do not forget to pay homage to enhance your prosperity.

Batik Phadaeng Khru Anong

Before the end of the day, I visited the Phadaeng Batik Group, which is a learning centre and sells products from batik cloth. They started from only 4-5 members and have received good feedback ever since until receiving the OTOP 4-stars Award in 2010.

In addition to having products for sale, you can also learn how to make batik-tie-dyed cloth. Auntie said that it usually takes about 2 days from painting to drying per cloth. If you would like to try to do it yourself, the cost for making 1 handkerchief starts at 50 Baht per person.

Day 3

Khao Khiao Forest Viewpoint

I departed from the accommodation at 4 a.m. to go to the Khao Khiao Forest Viewpoint on the last morning. Sawi district’s new tourist attraction is known as the “Song Thale” Viewpoint, which refers to seeing the sea of mist and the Gulf of Thailand.

  • 4WD car service fee is 400 Baht per vehicle (seats up to 10 people).
  • Tent rental fee is 100 Baht per night.
  • Mu 8, Na Pho Subdistrict, Sawi District, Chumphon
  • Open daily
  • Tel. 092 242 2893 (P’ Um)

Travelling up to Khao Khiao Forest Viewpoint, you have to go to the tourist service point to take a 4WD pickup truck that the community leaders and villagers have prepared as a pick-up service, and ride for about 10 minutes to reach the car park on the hill. Then, you have to walk up to the viewpoint for about 1 kilometre, which the path is soil and stone. Some places have stairs to walk, which might be a bit tiring, as it is a hike up the hill and the road is quite steep.

At the viewpoint, I must say that I was completely tired, but it was worth waking up early because the view was so beautiful. Turning to the east is the Gulf of Thailand as far as the eye could see. When the sun rose, the horizon was golden orange contrasting with the blue colour of the water’s edge. It was very beautiful.

The sea of mist was equally beautiful, as you could see it floating in white fluffiness covering the green mountains on the west side. You will look and feel refreshed. No matter what angle you look at, it’s beautiful. It is so beautiful that I do not know how to describe it.

There is a camping site that can accommodate 10 tents at present. In the future, they will build 50-60 houses to accommodate visitors opposite the camping site. There is a statue of “Pu Chao Khao Khiao” enshrined here for tourists to worship.

Chia Farm

After seeing two beautiful seascapes, I visited the Chia Farm, a quality souvenir shop of the Chumphon Sea. There is processed seafood, dried squid, King mackerel fish, fragrant fish, roasted coffee, but the most outstanding is the organic dried shrimp. The taste is less salty and sweet because it uses fresh shrimp from the sea itself.

Thung Wua Laen Beach

Before returning, I visited Thung Wua Laen Beach, a famous beach of Pathio district, which is a sandy beach with a slight slope, white sand and the water is crystal clear. It is suitable for swimming and taking photos.

Thung Wua Laen Beach was a forest before. According to a legend, there were many animals living here. One day, a hunter shot a wild ox and prepared to cut the meat for food, but suddenly the cow got up and ran away into the forest and disappeared. This is the origin of the name Thung Wua Laen Beach.

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