Ranong Hints

[jdean]

I need to do a border run from Phuket next month. It has been some while since I went to Ranong. The last time I was there I really could find nothing to do except go to the hot springs, and they were only "hot" temperature wise. Has anyone been lately who can give me some Ranong hints?

[Billmont]

What you say is correct and I hope never have to visit this place again. The hotel we stayed at was using the water directly from the hot springs which was noval and quite enjoyable, the only thing in Ranong. As for the visa run not a great experience and when we arrived back and went to the immigration there was a poor guy with both his arms in plaster and well knocked about so obviously been in a quite serious accident. However he did not have a top on as probably too difficult to put on. However the immigration officer really shouted at him and told him to get out, quite embarrassing. A friendly farang took his shit off outside and tied it around him so he could get his visa stamp. This experience summed up the whole visit To Ranong and would only suggest visiting when you have no choice.

[bedu]

Actually Ranong has many things as well as the hot springs.

Waterfalls, live music pubs, a market selling a variety of Thai dishes, cheap hotels, restaurants serving Foreign food, nearby beaches, small islands to take a trip to.

There's even a casino resort on one of the islands.

It just depends on what you like to do.

[jdean]

Actually Ranong has many things as well as the hot springs.

Waterfalls, live music pubs, a market selling a variety of Thai dishes, cheap hotels, restaurants serving Foreign food, nearby beaches, small islands to take a trip to.

There's even a casino resort on one of the islands.

It just depends on what you like to do.

I am sure there are many nice things about Ranong. However, as this was in the Gay People in Thailand Forum, the post was meant to elicit comments about gay life there.

[Ijustwannateach]

I've said it about other places and I'm pretty sure it probably applies to Ranong: Unless you're in one of the very large cities, it is unlikely that you find dedicated gay locations (of course, times are changing, new places open all the time, etc., etc.). What is much more likely is that there are local places that are open to everyone (discos, bars, coffee shops, shopping centers, markets) where gays will find a friendly place or two to colonise 'unofficially.' If you speak a bit of Thai and your gaydar is working, it shouldn't be too hard to make a contact or two and ask- or just pick one or two likely spots and then look for people who are flirting with you. If you don't speak any Thai, it will be challenging for you to make any contacts- and chances are you probably shouldn't be trying to break into that scene without becoming more familiar with the way things are done locally.

That's one reason- even if I knew a specific place- I wouldn't want to put it up publicly here unless I knew the person going could function in that environment. We foreigners get a bad enough rep here from tourists and casual visitors without giving those types an easy path into an environment where their behaviour would be even more inappropriate.

It is *very* unlikely to find the kind of places that tourists go in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, or Phuket in the less tourist-frequented cities (and thank god).

[tombkk]

I've said it about other places and I'm pretty sure it probably applies to Ranong: Unless you're in one of the very large cities, it is unlikely that you find dedicated gay locations (of course, times are changing, new places open all the time, etc., etc.). What is much more likely is that there are local places that are open to everyone (discos, bars, coffee shops, shopping centers, markets) where gays will find a friendly place or two to colonise 'unofficially.' If you speak a bit of Thai and your gaydar is working, it shouldn't be too hard to make a contact or two and ask- or just pick one or two likely spots and then look for people who are flirting with you. If you don't speak any Thai, it will be challenging for you to make any contacts- and chances are you probably shouldn't be trying to break into that scene without becoming more familiar with the way things are done locally.

That's one reason- even if I knew a specific place- I wouldn't want to put it up publicly here unless I knew the person going could function in that environment. We foreigners get a bad enough rep here from tourists and casual visitors without giving those types an easy path into an environment where their behaviour would be even more inappropriate.

It is *very* unlikely to find the kind of places that tourists go in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, or Phuket in the less tourist-frequented cities (and thank god).

What you said. I very much like the way it works in the provinces, subtle but not hidden.