Ranong province is the least populated province in Thailand with 80 percent of the area being covered by forests and 67 percent is mountainous terrain. Earlier tin mining was the mainstay industry but now most mines are closed. Today white clay mining for making porcelain and fishing items, rubber farming and cashew nut farming are main industries of the area.

Ranong is blessed with many natural attractions but its main attraction is its unspoilt mangrove forests. In the district of Kapoe is the Ranong Biosphere Reserve which covers an area of 303.09 square kilometers. This is the only biosphere in coast and its main objective is to preserve the mangrove forests in the area.

Ranong is divided into 5 districts which are further subdivided into 30 subdistricts or Tambon and 167 villages or Muban. Ranong town is the only town in the province, although there are 4 townships.

Nam Tok Ngao is a waterfall located in Khlong Pharo National Park which is just 12 kilometers south of Ranong town. The waterfall cascades from a high mountain and the milky white fall can be seen from a distrance. The surrounding jungle area around the waterfall is home to a rare species of freshwater crab known as Pu Chao Fa.

A popular tourist attraction of Ranong is its hot springs. The hot springs are located 2 kilometers east of Ranong town. The springs are situated among shady environs which has a well-maintained arboretum. The temperature of the springs is 65 degrees Celsius.

Just 12 kilometers north of Ranong town is a beautiful cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is known as Tham Phra Khayang and legend links it with the town of Kra Buri. It is said that a special iron element with the elasticity of rubber and flexibility of wax has been found in this cave. The locals call this iron element Lek Lai.