The Ranong Governor’s Residence, locally known as “Nai Khai,” is an important historical site that reflects the development of Ranong during the late early Rattanakosin period. It represents the transformation of Ranong from a small border town into a major center of tin trade and coastal administration along the Andaman Sea.The residence was built around 1877 (B.E. 2420) by Phraya Damrong Sutharitr Mahisorn Phakdi (Khosim Gong) as a residence for his father, Khosu Jiang, the first governor of Ranong. It also served as the early foundation of the Na Ranong family, one of the most influential ruling families in the province.The original estate covered more than 33 rai and functioned as a large noble compound rather than an ordinary residence. It also served as an administrative center during a period when the modern provincial governance system had not yet been fully established. The residence was used for meetings of officials, local leaders, and tin mining administrators, which was the main economic activity of the region at the time. It also played a role in settling disputes and overseeing Chinese migrant labor working in the mines. Thus, Nai Khai can be considered the early political and administrative center of Ranong.

In addition, the Ranong Governor’s Residence holds royal significance, as it was once a place where members of the Thai royal family stayed. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited and stayed here in 1890 during his southern royal tour. This highlights the importance of Ranong at the time, both economically in terms of tin mining and strategically as part of the Andaman coastal region.Architecturally, the complex reflects a blend of Hokkien Chinese and local styles. The main structures are brick-and-plaster buildings with wooden frameworks and traditional Chinese clay tile roofs. The layout follows a closed compound design surrounded by thick brick walls with defensive gun ports. These walls served both protective and administrative control purposes, which is why the site is known as Nai Khai, meaning inside the fort.

Inside the compound is the ancestral shrine of the Na Ranong family, also known as the Gao-Yang Shrine, which serves as the spiritual center of the family lineage. It houses ancestral spirit tablets from multiple generations, along with royal gifts and historical documents related to the founding of the city and the family’s history. This gives the site both historical and cultural significance, especially in the context of Chinese-Thai heritage.Over time, the political role of the Governor’s Residence declined as Thailand’s administrative system changed. Parts of the buildings gradually deteriorated but have been preserved and maintained by the Na Ranong descendants together with local authorities. Some areas have been converted into a small community museum preserving old photographs, historical artifacts, and stories of Ranong’s development for future generations.Overall, the Ranong Governor’s Residence is not only a historical site but also an important testament to the formation of coastal Andaman cities, the legacy of early provincial governance, and the cultural heritage of the Na Ranong family, which continues to play an important role in the history of southern Thailand to this day.