Tak is the central province for development of Northern Thailand, also being the communication center of the North, having an Asian Highway passing through Myanma-Thai border into Thailand at Amphoe Mae Sot, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok 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 Amphoes : Muang, Ban Tak, Mae Ramat, Mae Sot, Pho Phra, Sam Ngao, Tha Song Yang, Umphang.

TAK's ATTRACTIONS

Shrine of King Taksin the Great
The shrine is located at the intersection of Charotwithithong Road and Mahatthai Bamrung Road, housing a statue of King Taksin the Grate which is a little larger than his real human size. The statue is in the sitting position with a sword laying across his lap. At the base of the statue an inscription saying "Pha Chao Taksin of Krung Thonburi". King Taskin was born in the year 1734 and passed away in 1782 at the age of 48. On the first of January of every year a joyful celebration is organized by the Province as an annual fair.

Mani Banphot Swamp
This big swamp is located in the heart of Tak City nearby Wat Mani Banphot on Phahonyothin Road. Inside the monastery, the Saen Thong Buddha Image, cast in Chiang Saen period, is being enshrined. The swamp itself occupies an area of 60 rai where improvement is made by the province to be a relaxation spot for the city folks through a construction of a pavilion amid the swamp surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Khao Tham
This hill is regarded a famous tourist attraction of Changwat Tak, located at Tambon Mai Ngam, Amphoe Muang and accessible via a 300 meter road branching off Phahonyothin Road to the hill.

Its feature is a 71 meter high hill having big rocks dotting the area beautifully and one can access the hill top via a hiking path. Replica of Lord Buddha's Footprints are enshrined on top the hill where Tak residents like to pay their homage through affixing gold leaves on the footprints during Songkran festival.

Wat Phra Boromthat and Ancient Tak City
This monastery is located north of the township area, 25 kms. upstream the Mae Ping River which is currently in the area of Ban Tak. This area used to be the site of old Tak town. There are yet several ruins of town and monasteries in the area especially on top of a hill nearby Wat Phrathat, a pagoda of Phum Khao Binth design is situated. Legend says this pagoda was constructed on the order of King Ramkhamhaeng to attest to his victory in the single hand combat on the elephant's back against King Khun Sam Chon the ruler of Muang Chot (currently Amphoe Mae Sot).

Bhumibol Dam
This is the largest dam is Thailand having the outlook as a curve barrier that blocks the Mae Ping River at Amphoe Sam Ngao. Starting the construction in 1953, it was completed and inaugurated in May 1964, with a height, from rock foundation to the top of the barrier, of 245 meters. Thus providing a reservoir capacity of 12,200 million cubic meters or equivalent to 308 square kilometers. Besides its agricultural benefits as well as flood prevention, Bhumibol Dam can generate electric power and is now noted for cruising trip made from the dam site to Amphoe Hot. For accommodation contact E.G.A.T. Tel. 4363179, 4240101.

Cruising along the Mae Ping lake
This boat or raft cruise is made through the upstream area of the lake from Bhumibol Dam site to Doi Tao of Chiang Mai, a distance of 140 kms. Boat hire or cruising service can be arranged and obtained from Education Tour Center, Tel. 2439125, 2414856; Mae Ping Princess, Tel. 5214787, 5210587; or Thong Nathi, Tel. 4573428, 4576873-4.

Lan Sang National Park
This park is located on Tak - Mae Sot Highway at Km. 12 -13, 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 is shady, suitable for relaxation, thus popular with Tak residents to spend their picnic vacation on holidays. For accommodation contact National Park Division, Royal Forestry Department, Tel. 5790529, 5794842.

Doi Musur Hill Tribe Development and Welfare Center
The Center is located on Tak - Mae Sot Highway (No. 105), between Km. 25 - 26. Within 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.

Taksin Maharat National Park
Originally named 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. 25-26, 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, ever green 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. 5790529, 5794842.

Hill-tribes Produces Stalls located at km. 29 on Tak-Mae Sot route, the stalls put on sales various crops of hill-tribe people from morning until afternoon.

Tawi Chai Land
It is located on the left of Tak-Mae Sot Road at Km. 78 just 500 meters beyond the Shrine of King Khun Samchon's spirit. Tawi Chai Land is a tourist attraction having similar characteristics to Rose Garden of Nakhon Pathom especially its beautiful plots of decorative plants and flowers.

Amphoe Mae Sot This district is located on the Thai border area westernmost of Changwat Tak, 86 kms. from Tak township and accessible by a good road. Most tourists make a trip there for shopping purpose. Its famous items are wickerware, sarong, etc.

Namtok Thararak or Namtok Pha Chan is located at Ban Chedi Kho, Kilometer 26 on the Highway 1090 from Amphoe Mae Sot . The waterfall lies 700 meters along a dirt road off the highway. Its parking space can accommodate several bus-sized cars.

Namtok Nang Khruan is a small roadside waterfall. To get there, drive along the Highway 1090 and turn right at Kilometer 26 to the Highway 1206 towards Amphoe Pho Phra. Nam Tok Nang Khruan is located at Kilometer 12.

Namtok Pha Charoen is a breathtaking 97tiered 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.

Amphoe Umphang 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 Satum 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' where 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 stalactites, Nu 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.

Amphoe Mae Ramat is a border district adjoining Myanmar, 120 kllometers 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 later inhabited by the migrant Lanna Thai People before being upgraded to be an Amphoe.

Wat Don Kaeo 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 towards Amphoe Mae Ramat.

Amphoe Tha Song 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 marvellous mountainous scenes with morning streams of mists and wild animals such as deers, brown-antlered deers, birds, etc.