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Tak is the central province for development of
Northern Thailand, also being the communication center of the North having an
Asian Highway passing through Myanmar Thai border into Thailand at Amphoe Mae
Sot, Sukhothai, Tak towards Northeastern Thailand entering Laos at Chong Mek
pass of Ubon - Ratchathani. Tak is the site of Bhumibol Dam, the largest in
Thailand. Covering an area of 16,406.6 square kilometers. Tak is located 426 kms.
from Bangkok, and administratively divided into 8 Amphoe 1 King Amphoe:
-
Muang
- Ban Tak
- Mae Ramat
- Mae Sot
- Pho Phra
- Sam Ngao
- Tha Song Yang
- Umpahng.
- King Amphoe
- Wangchao
Chiang Mai and Northern Golf
Festivals & Events
Loi Krathong Sai
November 3-5
Loi Krathong, Thailand's lovely annual 'Festival of
Lights' on the full moon night in November, is celebrated
in a unique manner in Tak. Local people thread together their krathongs which
are launched simultaneously and appear as lighted necklaces on the Ping River.
Taksin Maharachanusorn Fair
December 28 - January 3
Celebrated annually from December 28 - January 3 at the
Taksin Shrine and provincial sports field, the fair features religious
ceremonial and processions, displays and nightly folk entertainment.
City Attractions
King Taksin the Great Shrine.
Located near the Tak TAT office, this statue of
Tak's most famous native son (1734 - 1782) is the site of an annual fair
from December 28 until January 3. King Taksin was the Thai monarch who
expelled the Burmese from Thailand after the 1767 destruction of Ayutthaya
as the Thai capital.
Mani Banphot Swamp
This scenic, extensive area within the heart of Tak
city is located near Wat Mani Banphot on Paholyothin Highway. Inside the
temple, a Chiang Saen Buddha image dating from the late 1200s is
enshrined.
Khao Tham
Located in Tambon Mai Ngam, this 71 - meter rocky
hillock, near Paholyothin Highway, contains replicas of the Lord Buddha's
Footprint on the summit. Tak residents pay homage throughout the year,
most particularly during Songkran, which marks the traditional Thai New
Year each April 13.
Out of City Attractions
Lan Sang National Park
This park is located on Tak - Mae Sot Highway at Km.
17, where a 3 kms. access road leading to the park area branches off on
the left. In the vicinity of the park one can see beautiful falls such as
Namtok Lan Sang, Namtok Pha Phung, Namtok Lan Liang Ma, etc. General
surrounding accommodation contact National Park Division, Royal Forestry
Department, Tel : 579-0529, 579-4842.
 Wat
Phra Boromthat and Ancient Tak City
This monastery, located 25 kilometers upstream, in
Amphoe Ban Tak, in an area which used to be the former site of Tak city.
There are several ruins in the area, including a hilltop pagoda which was
constructed, according to legend, by King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai (reign
: 1275 - 1317) to commemorate his victory in single combat on elephant
back against King Khun Sam Chon, the ruler of Muang Shot (currently Amphoe
Mae Sot).
Doi Musur
Hill Tribe Development and Welfare Center
The Center is located on Tak - Mae Sot Highway
(No.105), between Km. 27. With in a short distance after turning, one can
see Doi Musur, the location of Hill Tribe Self - Help Settlement, being
the area in which three hill tribes : Lahu, Lisu, and Meo reside. The
center is an interesting place to visit.
 Bhumibol
Dam
Thailand's largest dam is located some kilometers
north of Tak city in Amphoe Sam Ngao, and dams the Mae Ping River. The
extensive reservoir forms a picturesque lake that extends northwards to
Chiang Mai's Amphoe Hot. Accommodation is available at the dam. Contact
the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand at ( Bangkok ) 436 - 3179
or 424-0101 for further details.
Taksin Maharat National Park
Originally name Krabak - Yai National Park after the
name of Thailand's biggest tree found here. The park is located along Tak
- Mae Sot Highway ( No. 105 ) about km. 30-31, with the access road on the
right leading to the park about 2 kms. With the area of 149 square
kilometers or 37,250 acres, the park is surrounded by steep mountains and
hills, together with shady trees, evergreen forest, waterfalls, clear
streams and many beautiful view points. Accommodations are provided in the
form of bungalows, tents and tourist - house, and reservation can be made
through the National park Division Tel :579-0529, 579-4842.
 Mae
Ping Lake Cruises
Popular cruises originate from the Bhumibol Dam to
Chiang Mai's Doi Tao Self - Help Settlement edging the dam reservoir, a
total distance of 140 kilometers. Full details may be obtained from the
Educational Tour Center, Tel : ( Bangkok ) 221-5183, or the Thongnatee
Company Limited, Tel : 457-3428, 467-2557.
Hill - tribes Produces Stalls
Located at km. 35 on Tak - Mae Sot route, the stalls
put on sales various crops of Hill-Tribe people from morning until
afternoon.
Amphoe Mae Sot
This
riverside settlement on the Moei River, facing Myanmar (Burma) on the
opposite bank, and some 86 kilometers from Tak city, is well known for its
shopping opportunities, especially for Burmese goods such as cloth
lengths, gemstones and decorative items.
Namtok Nang Khruan
It is a small roadside waterfall. To get there,
drive along the Highway 1090 and turn right at Kilometer 31-32 to the
Highway 1206 towards Amphoe Pho Phra. Nam Tok Nang Khruan is located at
Kilometer 12.
Namtok Pha Charoen
It is a breathtaking 97 - tiered waterfall located
between Kilometers 36 - 37 along Highway 1090. After turning left to a
dirt road off the highway, drive further for 700 meters to reach Pha
Charoen Waterfall.
Rim Moei Market
is a community on the banks of Moei River, opposite to Burma's Myawadee,
which also doubles as a jewel market. Tourists can take boats from
here to the Burmese side.
Wat Thai Watthanaram
is 3-4 kms off Mae Sot district, towards the Rim Moei Market. It is
a Yunnan temple revealing a high influence of Burmese culture.
Amphoe Umphang
 It
is also a border district adjoining Myanmar. It is about 249 kilometers
from the provincial city along the Highway 105, the Tak - Mae Sot route,
with a turn to the Mae Sot - Um Phang Highway (Highway 1090). The road
meanders through mountainous area to Amphoe Um Phang. Another former Karen
settlement, the district was later inhabited by migrant people from
northern Thailand. Nowadays, Amphoe Um Phang is renowned for its
challenging activities like jungle trek and rafting thanks to its intact
nature.
Tourist Attraction in Amphoe Umpang include " Doi Hua Mot "
Sheer scenic sunrise and the sea of the morning mist
as well as sunset are not to be missed, "Tham Ta Ko Bi " - a spacious cave
with beautiful stalagmites and staccatos, " Mu Ban Karieng Pa La Tha ",a
developing Karen village where the villagers still dress in their original
costumes, and " Namtok Thi Lo Su " - a large breathtaking waterfall
cascading down a high cliff with streaming water all year round.
Thi Lo Su Waterfall
This spectacular waterfall is located in the Umphang
Wildlife Sanctuary and can be visited only from November through May.
Would - be visitors to the waterfall and wildlife sanctuary are
recommended to enquire first with the TAT ( Tel : ( 055 ) 514-341-3 ) for
information regarding travel conditions and camping opportunities.
Amphoe Mae Ramat
It is a
border district adjoining Myanmar, 120 kilometers away from the provincial
city. To get there, drive along the Tak - Mae Sot - Mae Ramat or the Tak -
Ban Tak - Mae Ramat route. With a mountainous topography, Amphoe Mae Ramat
was originally a Karen settlement. It was late inhabited by the migrant
Lanna Thai People before being upgraded to be an Amphoe.
Wat Don Kaeo
It is a temple in which Thailand's biggest and most
beautiful marble Buddha image of Burmese style is enshrined. The image
measures 50 inches from left knee to right knee and 63 inches from base to
head top. The temple is situated near Kilometer 33 along the Mae Sot - Mae
Ramat - Tha Song Yang route with a left turn for 2 kilometers toward
Amphoe Mae Ramat.
Amphoe Tha Somg Yang
Is another border district
adjoining Myanmar. Stretching along the length of the Moei River, Amphoe
Tha Song Yang covers a mountainous area of Thanon Thongchai Range. Farming
is a main occupation here. The district is about 82 kilometers from Mae
Sot and 169 kilometers from the provincial city, Tak.
Tham Mae Usu
This cave, having very beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations, is
located in Amphoe Tha Song Yang on Highway No. 1085 ( Mae Sot - Mae
Sariang ) at Km. 94 - 95 . Tham Mae Usu, with Mae Usu stream passing by,
it is unavoidable to ford to the entrance of the cave. During the rainy
season, the water level may be too high to get in the cave which is very
airy and is not too dark. Mae Usu is a large cave with high ceiling and
spectacular stalagmites and stalactites.
Doi Mae Ramoeng and Mon
Krathing
Situated on Mae Sot - Mae Ramat - Tha Song Yang route leading to Mae
Sariang, about 133 kms. from Mae Sot, the place offers marvelous
mountainous scenes with morning streams of mists and wild animals such as
deer, brown - antlered deer, birds, etc.
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