To the west across the Kraburi River estuary is the Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar.

The district is divided into nine subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 38 villages (muban).

[1] As of December 2023 there are two town municipalities (thesaban mueang), Ranong covers subdistrict Khao Niwet, while Bang Rin covers the whole subdistrict.

Five subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon): Ngao, Pak Nam and Pak Nam Tha Ruea cover parts of the subdistricts Ngao and Pak Nam, while Bang Non and Ratchakrut cover the whole subdistrict.

There are four subdistrict administrative organizations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon - o bo to): Ngao covers part of the subdistrict and Sai Daeng, Hat Som Paen and Koh Phayam cover the whole subdistricts.