Ranong ระนอง |
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Province | ||
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Map of Thailand highlighting Ranong Province |
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Country | Thailand | |
Capital | Ranong | |
Government | ||
• Governor | Chatuphot Piyamputtra (since October 2016) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 3,298.0 km2 (1,273.4 sq mi) | |
Area rank | Ranked 59th | |
Population (2014) | ||
• Total | 177,089 | |
• Rank | Ranked 76th | |
• Density | 54/km2 (140/sq mi) | |
• Density rank | Ranked 71st | |
Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
ISO 3166 code | TH-85 |
Ranong (Thai: ระนอง, pronounced [ra.nɔːŋ] or [rá.nɔːŋ]) 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. Neighboring Ranong are (clockwise) Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang Nga. To the west, it borders Kawthaung, Tanintharyi, Myanmar.
Ranong is on the Kra Isthmus, a narrow strip of land that connects Thailand with the Malay Peninsula, on the west of the Phuket mountain range. It has a long coast on the Andaman Sea. The province, together with Trat Province, is known for being one of the wettest places in Thailand, the rainy season lasting for about eight months.
Ranong is the least populated province. Eighty percent of its area is covered by forests, and 67% 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 cashew nuts.
The Ranong Biosphere Reserve in the north of Amphoe Kapoe, covering 303.09 km², was declared in 1997. It is the fourth biosphere reserve of Thailand, and the only one at the seacoast to protect the mangrove forests. Khlong Nakha Wildlife Sanctuary is in the south of the province.