Product Code Database
Ranong ( ; , روندوڠ; not to be confused with Rayong province) is one of Thailand's southern provinces ( changwat), on the west coast along the Andaman Sea. It has the fewest inhabitants of all Thai provinces (making it the least populous of all the Thai provinces). Provinces neighboring Ranong are (clockwise) Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Phang Nga. To the west, it borders Kawthaung, Tanintharyi, Burma.
Ranong is the least populated province. The total forest area is or 53.5 percent of provincial area, and 67 percent is mountainous. In former years the major industry was tin mining, but most mines are now exhausted. White clay mining (for the production of porcelain) and fishing are now the main industries, along with rubber and .
The Ngao Mangrove Forest Research Centre, also known as the Ranong Biosphere Reserve, in the north of Kapoe District, covering 189,431 rai (303.09 km2), was declared in 1997. It is the fourth biosphere reserve of Thailand, and the only one on the seacoast protecting mangrove forests.
At the start of the Rattanakosin era (1781–present), a wealthy Chinese merchant, Kho Su Jiang bought a majority share of the tin business in Ranong and was appointed tax collector of the region, with the title Luang Rattana Setti (), by King Rama III (Rama III). In 1854, the Luang Ranong died. King Mongkut (Rama IV) then promoted Kho Su Jiang to the position, promoting him to Phra Rattana Setti (). By then, Ranong's wealth had increased greatly and through taxation was a significant source of income for the capital, thus in 1877 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) elevated Ranong to provincial status, answering directly to Bangkok as opposed to Chumphon, with Phra Rattana Setti becoming its first governor.
After the First Anglo-Burmese War, when the British assumed control of Tenasserim and the Kraburi River became the demarcation line between Siam and British-controlled Burma, Ranong became an important border city where goods were exchanged, a status that it still holds today.
Being located on the Kra Isthmus, the narrowest part (44 kilometres) of the Malay Peninsula, a proposal of Thai Canal through the area has been long suggested, particularly by the French. If successful, traveling from Europe to China would be faster through this route instead of circumnavigating the Malay Peninsula. This was seen as a threat to the financial growth of the harbors of Singapore and Penang, which at the time were owned by Britain, who therefore forced the suspension of the project. At the end of World War II, Thailand signed a British-imposed treaty called "The Termination of The State of War Between Siam and Allies", which forbade Thailand from digging such a canal without British permission. This treaty was revoked in 1954. Since then, plans for the canal have continued to be suggested and discussed, even in the present day, though Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said in 2018 that it was not a government priority.
Ranong has also been historically significant as a residence for royal tours of the southern provinces, with many kings of Thailand visiting Ranong in the past. The first was King Chulalongkorn, who stayed at Rattana Ransan palace for three nights in 1890. The palace is now a landmark in Ranong. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) visited in 1928, and King Bhumibol (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit visited in 1959.
The provincial slogan is, "Kra Isthmus, mountain grass, cashew nut, mineral water stream, and real pearl of Ranong."
The provincial tree is the Banaba ( Lagerstroemia speciosa), and the provincial flower is the orchid Dendrobium formosum. The endemic terrestrial crab Phricotelphusa sirindhorn is the provincial aquatic life.
| 38 |
| 30 |
| 34 |
| 61 |
| 15 |
| 178 |
| bangrin.go.th |
| ranongcity.go.th |
| bangnoncity.go.th |
| jpr.go.th |
| ratchakrudcity.go.th |
| paknamtarua.go.th |
| kumpuan.go.th |
| namchuet.go.th |
| tesabanlaun.go.th |
| ngaotown-ranong.go.th |
| kapercity.go.th |
| 194,372 |
The Port Authority of Thailand operates the Ranong Port, which is Thailand's principal Indian Ocean port. In 2008, the Ranong human-smuggling incident resulted in 54 deaths.
| Health | Education | Employment | Income |
| 20 | 67 | 31 | 33 |
| Housing | Family | Transport | Participation |
| 63 | 10 | 50 | 64 |
| Province Ranong, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6291 is "somewhat low", occupies place 56 in the ranking. | |||
| Classification |
| High |
| Somewhat high |
| Average |
| Somewhat low |
| Low |
| Map with provinces and HAI 2022 rankings |
Ko Chang (Ranong) (เกาะช้าง) island in tambon Ko Phayam. With an area of 18 square kilometres and 80 homes on the entire island. Cashew and para rubber plantations as well as coastal fisheries are the main industries.
Laem Son National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแหลมสน) It covers a total area of 196,875 rai (31.5 hectares). It also includes islands in the Andaman Sea; namely, Ko Khangkhao and Mu Ko Kam. Places of interest within the national park include:
Raksawarin Hot Springs and Public Park (บ่อน้ำพุร้อนรักษะวาริน) The most famous and popular hot spring of Ranong. It have been analysed by the Department of Science Service to contain important minerals, and it is the only source in Thailand that does not contain any sulphur additives. It is possible to drink from the source, and it is also regarded as pure water. The hot springs and public park is in Ranong town.
Phu Khao Ya (ภูเขาหญ้า) The bald mountain with grass growing all over the mountain, it is extraordinary in that it is a geographical anomaly. This average-sized hill is entirely void of trees leaving it looking, as local residents say, like a "Swiss pasture". Phu Khao Ya can also change color according to the season and time of day. It is situated 12 kilometres (7.4 mi) to the south of Ranong town.
Khlong Naka (คลองนาคา) This wildlife sanctuary is the only home for the aquatic plant Crinum thaianum. This species of plant is endemic to the local stream, and from October till November is when the flowers bloom at their most.
Wat Hat Som Paen (วัดหาดส้มแป้น) The local Ranong wat. Its highlight, besides worshiping the Buddha, is also admiring the beauty of the stream that flows through the temple, which is also home to a large number of the rock mahseer.
|
|
