Laem Son National Park Guide: Islands, Access & Fees (Ranong)

Featured image: Axadem, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Laem Son National Park at a glance

Laem Son was established in 1983 and covers 196,875 rai, about 315 sq km (122 sq mi). Pines along the cape's shore give the park its name. The Kaper Estuary – Laemson Marine National Park – Kraburi Estuary area became a Ramsar wetland site on 14 August 2002 (site no. 1183). The Department of National Parks records 21,911 visitors in 2024. That is a very low count for an Andaman park, and it shapes everything below: quiet beaches, but fewer services and boats.

Is Laem Son worth visiting?

Yes, if you want empty sand, pine shoreline and a low-key island trip. It suits travelers who are happy to improvise with local boat operators. Skip it if you want Similan-style dive infrastructure, nightlife or tours that run on a fixed daily timetable. Low visitor numbers mean fewer restaurants, fewer shops and less frequent boats.

• Good fit: quiet beach days, mangrove and estuary scenery, short island trips from Kaper.
• Poor fit: scuba courses, party islands, tight itineraries with no slack for weather.
• Mistake to avoid: arriving without a boat arrangement and expecting to find a scheduled ferry at the beach.

Best things to do in Laem Son National Park

Start on the mainland. Hat Bang Ben is the main beach, and from its sand you can see some of the offshore islands, including Ko Kam Yai, Ko Kam Noi, Mu Ko Yipun, Ko Khang Khao and Ko Phayam. Pines line the cape's shore, which makes the walk along the coast shadier than most Andaman beaches. A boat trip to the Kam Islands adds white sand and clearer water. Ko Kam Tok, also called Ao Khao Khwai or Bull Horn Bay, is one of the best-known stops. The park also holds coral reefs, mangrove swamps and rainforest. Long-tailed macaques use stone tools on Piak Nam Yai and Thao islands. Watch them from a distance and never feed them.

How to plan your time

Most visitors do best with a half day on the mainland or a full day that adds a boat. Overnight stays make sense only if you want slow mornings on the beach. Ask the park office or a boat operator how long the island run takes, because durations depend on the sea and your route.

Tickets, fees and opening hours

A travel listing shows park visiting hours of 08.00 to 16.30 and a starting price of ฿30. Treat ฿30 as a minimum, because Thai and foreign rates usually differ and a boat is a separate cost. Prices and hours checked November 2026. Our guide to how Thai park entry fees work explains the foreign-visitor system. For payment details, call the park office on 0-7782-8073. Ask whether the fee is paid at the office or through your boat operator, and whether cash is required.

Getting there and getting around

Head south from Ranong town into Kaper District, where the park is based. The distance is about 60 km (37 miles). Roads get you to the mainland coast and Hat Bang Ben. Boats take you to the Kam Islands. Arrange the boat before you travel, either through the park office or a local operator in Kaper. A rental car or motorbike gives more freedom than waiting for public transport. Pick the airport or bus link that suits your route into Ranong, since services vary.

Where to stay

The mainland side offers the simplest base, with Ranong town about 60 km (37 miles) north for wider choice and supplies. Staying near the park puts you at the beach early and late, but food and transport are limited. Island stays trade convenience for isolation. Ko Phayam is visible from Hat Bang Ben, though you should check whether it falls inside the park boundary before assuming park rules apply there. Book ahead in the busy season and carry cash and snacks.

Best time to visit and safety

Andaman boat services depend on the monsoon, so check the Thai Meteorological Department forecast and ask your operator before paying for an island day. Rough water is the main reason trips get cancelled. In 2004 the tsunami destroyed the park headquarters and split Ao Khao Khwai into two small islands. Today it is a reminder to follow staff advice on sea conditions. Wear a life jacket on boats and keep to marked areas. Follow marine park rules published by the DNP, including no feeding of macaques and no touching of coral.

Combine it with other Andaman marine parks

Laem Son works as a quiet add-on rather than a diving destination. For clear-water snorkeling and diving, read about the Similan Islands. Plan a seasonal window and book early. Mu Ko Surin is another remote option with similar planning needs. Further south, Mu Ko Lanta has easier access and more services. Hat Chao Mai offers a calmer mainland beach experience. Heading toward the Malaysian border, Tarutao is the larger southern option.