Today we're still in Ranong Province. At the foothill of Khao Fa Chi where we ended last week's journey, there's a small town on the bank of La-un River. This place, which during the World War II served as the terminal of the Chumphon-Khao Fa Chi railway that no longer exists, is where we'll begin today's drive.
About 11 kilometres from the starting point, you'll see on the right-hand side the Rural Highway 4010. We'll drive to the town of Ranong via this minor road instead of the Highway 4.
But not now. Punyaban, one of Ranong's most famous waterfalls, is merely a couple of kilometres down the main highway. So let's visit the fall first.
Well, back to the 4010.
After the first kilometre, you'll find the headquarters of Kra Buri National Park. There's nothing much to see there so keep going and enjoy the view of the Kra Buri River along the way until you reach a T-intersection where the 4010 meets with the 4004. Here, go left and you'll get to Chan Damri Beach; go right and you're heading towards the provincial town.
On the 4004, the cemetery of Ranong's first governor is just a kilometre or so before the town. To get to the Raksa Warin Park and the Ranong Canyon, you need to drive through the town to Highway 4, then take the 4005 (Chol Ra-u Road). This road also take you to Wat Had Som Paen which is famous for the numerous fish that thrive in large number in a stream next to the temple.
Bangkok Post September 2005 www.bangkokpost.com
