Tak
Attractions:
Doi
Musur Hilltribe Development
& Walfare Centre Located on the road to
Lan Sang Waterfall, the area is one is which
Lahu, Lissu and Meo hill tribes reside. Hill
rives
products are for sale at Km 29 on the Tak-Mae
Sot Highway.
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.
Tham
Mae Usu This cave, boasting notably beautiful
stalactites and stalagmites, is located on the
scenic Mae Sot, Mae Sariang Highway (Route 1085),
at Km. 95-96. It is necessary to ford the Mae
Usa stream in front of the cave to gain access.
This may not be possible during the annual Rains
Season (July through October).
Wat Phra Boromthat &
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, theruler of Muang
Shot (currently Amphoe Mae Sot).
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.
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 Centre, Tel: (Bangkok) 221-5183, or the
Thongnatee Company Limited, Tel: 457-3428, 467-2557.
Lan
Sang National Park
Located on the Tak-Mae
Sot Highway (Route 105), 17 kilometers from
Tak city, and accessed by a 3-kilometre road,
the park contains the scenic Lang Sang and Pha
Phung Waterfalls. Accommodation is available.
Contact the National Park Division of the Royal
Forestry Department in Bangkok, Tel: 579-0529
or 579-4842 for further details.
Taksin
Maharat National Park
Originally named Krabak
Yai National Park, after the name of Thailand's
biggest tree, this 37,250-acre national park
is located 2 kilometers off the Tak-Mae Sot
Highway, some 26 kilometers from Tak city. The
mountainous area has several scenic viewpoints,
evergreen forest, waterfalls and streams. Accommodation,
primarily in the form of bungalows and camp
sites, is available. Contact the National Park
Division of the Royal Forestry Department in
Bangkok, Tel: 579-0529 or 579-4842 for further
details.
Doi
Mae Ramoeng & Mon Krathing
Doi Mae Ramoeng
is some 130 kilometers north of Mae Sot on the
Mae Sot-Mae Sariang Highway. Mountain scenery
is particularly spectacular in the morning when
mist swirls through the peaks. The area is rich
in wildlife, particularly deer species and numerous
types of birds.
Amphoe
Umphang
Amphoe Umphang is 164 kilometers
south of Mae Sot on Highway 1090. The scenic
highway's highest point is some 1200 meters
above sea level. The winding route takes some
4 hours to complete, particularly during the
Rains season or the Cool Season when mountain
mists impede progress.
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 and recommended to enquire
first with the TAT office in Tak (Tel: (055)
514-341-3) for information regarding travel
conditions and camping opportunities.
How
to get there
By
Car
The
5-6 hours road journey by car from Bangkok is
made via Sing Buri, Chai Nat and nakhon Sawan,
The distance is 426 kilometers.
By
Bus Air-conditioned coaches and non-air
buses leave Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal
throughout the day. Please contact Bangkok 279-4484-7
(air) and 271-0101-5 (non-air) for further details.
Shopping
& Souvenirs
Popular
local souvenirs include mangoes and bananas
preserved in honey, tamarind, and decorative
granite items. Mae Sot is a good place to purchase
Burmese products, including silverware,
lacquer ware,
rubies and other gemstones.
Special events
Loi
Krathong Sai
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
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.
Accommodation
A
comprehensive list of air-conditioned and non
air-conditioned
accommodation, and restaurants, in Tak
can be obtained form the local Tourism Authority
of Thailand office on Taksin Road. The office
is open seven days a week, throughout the year,
from 8.30 AM until 4.30 PM.
