Chumphon town versus Ranong...which is best?

[VinnieK]

Hi all

Thinking to relocate further north, from the deep south.

Not into bars or touristy areas

Never been to either town

What says you?

[Maha Sarakham]

Chumphon is far preferable.  Ranong is very Thai with very little Western amenities.  Both are incredibly quiet post-covid at present, many restaurants closed.

[LosLobo]

I used to live equidistant between Ranong/Chumphon cities and for the weekly shop it was always a 10/90 % choice

 

Ranong is much smaller with fewer shops and facilities hospitals etc. and is the wettest city in Thailand. It has an airport and is a transfer destination to Koh Phayam ,Thailand/Myanmar border and some lovely Myanmar islands. No real expat community.

 

Chumphon has a lot more shops and facilities, two large hospitals.

It has an airport and is a transfer destination to Koh Tao. Has an expat community centred around Thung Wua Laen beach. The main shopping area in Chumphon tends to experience some flooding this time of the year.

 

 On any given full day, in Ranong, I would not see a westerner, in Chumphon, maybe one or two.

Both cities don't seem to ever experience much air pollution.

 

 

 

[Denim]

I prefer Ranong. Fewer tourists which is a plus for me. Very easy to do a visa run from the Andaman club when the borders open. Got the usual mall so basics are readily available.

 

Really depends what you are looking for. If you don't like being one of the few westerners in town and are looking for some westerners to have a few beers with Chumporn probably a better place.

 

If you are not dependent on English language speakers Ranong is a nice laid back place. I was there once having some street food and a beer when an old Thai guy asked me in good English if he could join me.

 

To cut a long story short it turned out he had been a former captain in the Thai army and served in Vietnam during that conflict. He just wanted to practice his English. What a totally nice and interesting guy he turned out to be. After 3 or 4 beers we agreed to go American shares on everything ( he wanted to pay ) and we parted with a heartfelt handshake. One of the most memorable evenings I have spent in Thailand.

[Stocky]

Why not go spend a few weeks in both. Wet season's a good time, you can decide if you'll need wellies, waders or a small boat.

[LosLobo]

FYI  We live in Chumphon | Facebook

 

This English-speaking group is for all of us who live in Chumphon province. Here you can ask questions about life in Chumphon