Tak
is a northern province covering an area of 16,406
largely mountainous square kilometers. The provincial
capital is 426 kilometers north of Bangkok,
and is a gateway to Myanmar to the west, and
the northern Thai cities of Lampang and Chiang
Mai.
Tak
Attractions:
In
the City
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-metre
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
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 Licited, 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. More
