Ranong hot springs lead push for universal design in secondary tourism

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is positioning the southern province of Ranong as a premier destination for eco-tourism and wellness, leveraging its pristine natural resources and award-winning universal design features to attract both domestic and international travellers.

Despite being classified as a secondary tourism city, Ranong boasts highly abundant terrestrial and mangrove forests, alongside stunning marine resources, according to DNP Director General Attapol Charoenchansa.

“Tourists are invited to experience the natural beauty and therapeutic benefits of the Porn Rang hot springs, describing it as the department's most modern and inviting thermal spring destination, offering an authentic Japanese-style ‘onsen’ experience,” Attapol said.

The Porn Rang hot springs won the Friendly Design Award 2024, in the category of ‘Tourism for All’, co-hosted by the Friendly Design for All Foundation and the Association of Siamese Architects.

The site was also honoured with the Green National Park Award at the ‘Green Plus’ excellent gold level for its highly efficient environmental management systems.

Chalit Sinrotthanakorn, chief of Namtok Ngao National Park, stated that the hot springs were specifically redesigned to blend seamlessly with nature while prioritising universal design.

“At least 70% of the public service areas, excluding the nature trails, have been made fully accessible to all visitor groups, replacing traditional stairs with slopes, so elderly visitors and individuals with disabilities can easily access the mineral pools in wheelchairs,” Chalit explained.

According to Chalit, the site has become particularly popular among Thai retirees, while foreign visitors, mainly from Russia, Germany and Scandinavia, have accounted for approximately 10% of total arrivals this year.

Chalit added that many health-conscious visitors, including some travelling from as far as Chiang Mai, rent local accommodations for months to soak in the mineral waters every morning, which is widely considered the optimal time for their therapeutic benefits.

“Medical benefits have been a major draw for the park, with families regularly bringing patients suffering from paralysis, hemiplegia and Parkinson's disease for consecutive daily sessions,” Chalit said.

Porn Rang hot springs, with temperatures ranging between 40°C and 44°C, is located within Namtok Ngao National Park. The spring originates in a valley adjacent to Porn Rang Creek, sitting approximately 60 metres above sea level.

There are 17 mineral pools, including seven body-soaking pools, two rinsing pools, five private bathing rooms and three open-air ‘onsen’ facilities.

The crystal-clear waters are completely free of sulphur and foul odours.

The park has landscaped the surrounding grounds with diverse plant species and equipped the site with restrooms, changing rooms, pavilions, parking, restaurants and bungalows.

Arunluck Niyom, assistant chief of Namtok Ngao National Park, noted that the park spans 66,800 hectares across Ranong and Chumphon provinces. Beyond the hot springs, the park features Namtok Ngao, which is visible from the main highway, alongside the 16-tier Ngao and Klong Phrao waterfalls.

“The park is also celebrated for its biodiversity, being the site where the Cute Star Flower, a new plant species, and the Panda Crab, a new freshwater crab species, were first discovered,” Arunluck added.

Further along the main highway connecting Chumphon and Ranong, tourists also frequently visit Punyaban Waterfall, located within the Lamnam Kra Buri National Park network.

Ukrit Deethong-on, chief of Lamnam Kra Buri National Park, said the roadside waterfall attracts about 20,000 visitors annually due to its easy access, convenient parking and an adjacent 980-metre mangrove nature study trail.

Originating from streams in the La-un and Ratchakrud National Reserved Forests, Punyaban Waterfall features three scenic tiers standing 40 metres tall. For safety, visitors are only permitted to swim in the first tier, where life jackets are provided under the close supervision of park rangers.