Ranong, Thailand

Capital City

Forget the tropical paradise brochures - Ranong is a gritty port town with a population of just 16,125. The monsoon rains from May to October are torrential, and the town has been the site of a major human smuggling tragedy. Navigating the local bureaucracy is likely to be a persistent headache. While Ranong's position on the Burmese border offers easy access to neighboring Kawthaung, this scruffy provincial capital is best suited for pragmatic expats unfazed by challenging weather and occasional safety concerns.