Ranongis definitely an experience that is off the beaten path. It's a little fishing port that feels like it might be in Myanmar, the coast of which you can see opposite. When I arrived a noticed a lot of women with thanaka powder on their cheeks and men wearing sarongs, a traditional cloth wound round the body to make pants.
I began my stay with a trip to the hot springs which weren't far from my hotel. While walking up the river I found the source which I got to by crossing a suspended bridge. In fact the water is really hot (more than 40°C) so I didn't even manage to put my feet in it...
I love the atmosphere at Ranong, it's peaceful and not touristy and the beaches have been left in their natural state. They are big and wild and Thai families go there to swim and picnic in the shade of the trees. This is definitely what you would call authentic Thailand.