🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Raksawarin Hot Springs sits inside Raksawarin Public Park in Khao Niwet sub-district, Mueang Ranong, just a few minutes from the town centre. It's a natural hot spring where water rises continuously from underground at around 65°C. What makes it special is that this hot mineral water is rich in various minerals but contains no sulphur, so it doesn't carry the rotten-egg smell of many hot springs — your skin stays scent-free after a soak. The name Raksawarin was bestowed by the Princess Mother during her visit to Ranong.
There are three original source pools, set about 60 metres apart. Locals name them by size: Bo Por (the Father pool), the largest, then Bo Mae (the Mother pool) and Bo Luk Sao (the Daughter pool). All three are where the hot water genuinely surfaces and they're fenced off for viewing only — you can't get in because the water is too hot — but the spring water is piped off and cooled down enough to soak in, split into a foot-soak zone and a body-soaking pool. Most visitors also boil eggs in the water from the source pools, a sight you'll see every day.
Free foot soak in the park — anyone can join
The thing most people come here to do is soak their feet. There's a foot-soak terrace where the hot mineral water is channelled into troughs and shallow basins so you can sit and dangle your feet in. The water is pleasantly warm and works the muscles in your legs and the soles of your feet. There's no charge here — anyone walking past can just sit down and soak. This is where locals gather to chat in the morning and in the evening after work. It's a relaxed spot with shady trees all around the park, perfect for a half-hour rest for your legs between sightseeing in town.
How to make the most of the foot soak
Bring a small foot towel and a pair of slip-on sandals — they make getting out of the basin much easier. The most comfortable times to sit are early morning before the sun gets strong and the evening after 4pm, when the cooler air offsets the warm water nicely. If you bring kids, hold their hands — some pool edges are slippery — and don't soak so long that you overheat. Step out and rest in stages.
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Body-soaking mineral baths — a few tens of baht to enter
If you want a full-body onsen-style soak, the park has a body-soaking zone with clean tiled pools, a roof and shade. This part is a concession run by a local hotel, and the fee is only around 40 THB per person — very cheap for a genuine natural mineral soak. The water in the soaking pools is blended to a comfortable warmth so you can sit and relax. It suits anyone who wants to ease their muscles more seriously than a foot soak allows. We'd recommend bringing a change of clothes that's easy to swap into, plus your own towel.
A note on sessions and prices. The opening sessions for the soaking pools and the fee may change depending on the operator. At some times it's split into morning, midday and evening sessions, so it's worth calling ahead or asking staff at the park before you plan, especially if you specifically want the soaking pool, so you don't miss a session. The free foot-soak zone is open the whole time the park is open.
Opening hours, fees and facilities
- Opening hours — Raksawarin Public Park is open daily, roughly 5am–9pm. The foot-soak zone is usable any time the park is open.
- Fees — Soaking your feet and strolling the park are free. The full-body mineral soaking pool is around 40 THB per person.
- Water temperature — The source water is around 65°C with no sulphur smell; the soaking pools are blended to a comfortable warmth for getting in.
- What's in the park — The foot-soak terrace, the three source pools, the soaking pools, a nature trail, and toilets and changing rooms.
- Food nearby — Stalls sell eggs with baskets for boiling in the hot water, plus drink stands around the park for a rest stop.
Getting to Raksawarin Hot Springs
The handy thing about this place is that it's right in town — no long drive out. From the centre of Ranong or the market area it's about a 5–10 minute drive. Most town hotels are only 2–3 km from the springs, and you can easily hop on a motorcycle taxi or songthaew. There's parking inside the park. If you fly into Ranong Airport, it's around 20-odd kilometres away, about a half-hour drive into town.
Drive / rental car
From the town centre, follow Phetkasem Road to the Raksawarin Park entrance. It's clearly signposted with parking inside — the easiest option if you have a car.
Motorcycle taxi / songthaew
Easy to flag down in town, and the short distance keeps the fare cheap. Good for anyone staying at a town hotel without a rental.
Walk from nearby lodging
Many town hotels are only 2–3 km away, so if you're staying close and the weather's good you can walk or cycle over.
Best time to go
You can come here year-round since it's in town and the hot water flows constantly, but the most comfortable times to sit are early morning and evening when the air isn't hot. Soaking in warm water under the midday sun feels stuffier. Ranong gets a lot of rain, so if you can, avoid heavy downpours when the park ground turns slippery and soaking isn't pleasant. The easiest season for travel is roughly November to April, when there's less rain. Long holidays draw bigger crowds, especially in the evening, but the park is large enough that it never gets too packed to soak.
Make it the start or the end of your day
If you're planning a day in Ranong, put Raksawarin Hot Springs in the morning before heading out to the islands or the old town, or save it for the end of the day to soak away tired feet before heading back to your room — both work better than dropping by at midday under the strong sun. It's also close to several town restaurants, so you can soak your feet and then walk straight over for a meal.
More to do near the hot springs
- Ranong Old Town — A district of old Chinese-Southern architecture in town, great for a stroll, photos and finding food, not far from the hot springs.
- Seafood and Southern restaurants in town — Stop for a meal after your soak; there's fresh seafood and bold Southern Thai cooking.
- Cafés and mineral spas — Ranong has several mineral-water spas if you want a more serious soaking package than the park offers.
- Viewpoints around town — Khao Fa Chi and the grass-covered hills outside town are great to add for a nature trip after your mineral soak.
Plan a full mineral-soak trip around Ranong
See the Ranong travel guide →