THANSILA Resort — a small riverside resort within walking distance of Raksawarin Hot Spring
If you've come to Ranong to soak at Raksawarin Hot Spring and want somewhere quiet and riverside that you can simply walk to the hot spring from, THANSILA Resort is a name nature-minded travellers bring up often — a small, family-run resort in the Bang Rin area, set by the river with both river-view and mountain-view rooms, about a 5–8 minute walk to Raksawarin Hot Spring. Guests consistently praise the location near the hot spring, the pretty river views and the calm. What you accept in return is a very simple breakfast and firm beds in some rooms. Around 19 rooms from approx. THB 650/night · score 8.0 from real guest reviews.
THANSILA Resort (Thara Sila Resort) is a small, family-run resort of around 19 rooms in the Bang Rin area, on the Raksawarin Hot Spring side of Ranong town. What sets it apart from the usual in-town stays is that the resort sits right by the river and is framed by mountains, with both river-view and mountain-view rooms. The building was renovated in 2023, so much of it feels fresher and cleaner than you'd expect at this price. Most guests choose it because they want to soak at Raksawarin Hot Spring and want a quiet, natural setting rather than the convenience of a hotel in the centre of town.
The most consistently praised things in reviews are the location near the hot spring, the river views, and the quiet. It's about a 5–8 minute walk from the resort to Raksawarin Hot Spring, and it's also close to the arboretum, restaurants, a laundry shop and a big 7-Eleven, all walkable. The river-view rooms are the ones guests rave about most — many describe sitting on the balcony in the morning looking out over the river and mountains and genuinely unwinding. Rooms have air conditioning, TV, fridge, hot water and Wi-Fi, and every room has a balcony or terrace facing the river or the mountains.
"The river-view room was lovely — coffee on the balcony looking at the river and mountains, just a few minutes' walk to the hot spring, restaurants and a 7-Eleven nearby, and friendly owners who looked after us."
The atmosphere leans into nature and quiet. There's a riverside garden, free bicycles to borrow, free parking and a small on-site restaurant. It's also pet-friendly, which makes it a fit for travellers bringing a dog along. Its small size and family management mean many guests find the owners and staff warm and helpful, especially with recommendations for things to do and places to eat around the hot spring.
Several complaints come up repeatedly and are worth knowing before you book. The most common is that the breakfast is very simple — many reviews describe just an egg, toast, sausage and instant coffee, with no milk or butter. Some rooms have firm beds and feel small. Wi-Fi can be weak in certain rooms. A few reviews mention cleanliness in some rooms, bathroom odour, and extra charges for basic items such as a blanket. Service is mixed too — some guests praise warm owners, while others felt the welcome was inconsistent. Overall this is a small resort whose charm is in its location and views rather than polished service and facilities.
Location is the main selling point. It's in the Raksawarin Hot Spring area, about 450 metres from the hot spring, a 5–8 minute walk, near the arboretum and waterfalls in the same neighbourhood. The upside is that you can stroll over to soak in the morning, with restaurants and a convenience store within walking distance. But it's worth knowing it sits about 3–4 km outside Ranong town, so heading into town for the market or to the piers means a car ride — and reaching the boats to Koh Phayam or the crossing to Myanmar means driving to the pier first. It suits travellers with a car or happy to call rides more than those who want to explore town on foot.
The honest bottom line: THANSILA Resort suits travellers who come to Ranong to soak at Raksawarin Hot Spring and want a quiet riverside stay at a gentle price. If you value river views, a natural setting and being able to walk to the hot spring, it delivers good value in that area. But if you expect a polished resort, a generous breakfast, soft beds and a central location for convenience, a small family-run place like this may not be what you're after — look at the in-town or higher-tier options in this series instead.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Location near Raksawarin Hot Spring, a few minutes' walk away
- ✓ Pretty river-view rooms, quiet riverside setting
- ✓ Renovated in 2023, rooms cleaner than expected
- ✓ Walkable to restaurants and a big 7-Eleven, free parking
- ! Breakfast is very basic, coffee is instant
- ! Firm beds and small rooms in some categories
- ! Outside the town centre — a car is needed for town or the piers
- ✓ Lovely river and mountain views, good for a nature stay
- ✓ Friendly owners who help with recommendations
- ✓ Easy walk to the hot spring and restaurants
- ✓ Pet-friendly, good for travellers with a dog
- ! Wi-Fi can be weak in some rooms
- ! Some reviews mention bathroom odour and room cleanliness
- ! Extra charges for basic items such as a blanket
- 💡If you want a polished resort with soft beds and a generous breakfast — this is a small family-run place with a simple breakfast and firm beds in some rooms → look at the higher-tier in-town options in this series if comfort is the priority.
- 💡If you want to stay central to explore town, the market or the piers on foot — this is about 3–4 km outside town and needs a car → better suited to travellers with a car or happy to call rides.
- 💡If your main goal is soaking at the hot spring and relaxing by the river — that's exactly where this place shines, with a walk to Raksawarin Hot Spring → book a river-view room for the best of the setting.