Raksawarin arboretum

Raksawarin Arboretum is a forest reserve and marked trail network on the eastern edge of Ranong town, run as a conservation site rather than a manicured garden. Entry is free, it’s open daily from 08:00 to 16:30, and the walk climbs to roughly 230 metres elevation for a view back over the town.

What’s actually here

The reserve protects dipterocarp forest — the tall hardwood trees typical of this part of southern Thailand — alongside stands of indigenous fruit trees, with trail-side signage identifying species. This is not a landscaped botanical garden with labelled beds; it’s closer to a protected patch of the forest that once covered this stretch of coast, kept for education and conservation rather than display. The trail’s high point looks out over Ranong town from about 230 metres up, the main reason to make the full loop rather than just the lower section near the entrance.

Atmosphere and timing

Bird calls carry through the canopy along most of the walk, and the paths get noticeably quieter than anything near central Ranong — this sees a fraction of the visitor traffic that the adjoining hot springs pull in. Early morning is the more comfortable time to walk it, before the midday heat sets in and while birdlife is more active.

Insider Tip: Combine this with Raksawarin Hot Springs and Public Park, a few hundred metres away in the same reserve — most visitors do the hot springs’ foot-bath pools first, then the arboretum trail, rather than treating them as separate trips.

Watch out: The trail surface gets uneven and slick after rain — this part of Ranong sees regular downpours outside the dry season, so factor that into footwear and timing.

Practical details

The arboretum is reached by the same access road as the hot springs, a short drive or scooter ride from central Ranong town. There’s no dedicated public transport route, so a taxi, rented motorbike, or hotel transfer is the practical option. Bring insect repellent and water — the forest holds humidity even when it isn’t raining — and wear closed shoes rather than sandals for the trail sections.