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Tak is a northern province covering an area of 16,406 largely mountainous square kilometres. The provincial capital is 426 kilometres north of Bangkok, and is situated on the Ping river basin. To the west, the border touches on Myanmar demarcated by mountain ranges and the Moei River.

Administratively, Tak is divided into the following districts: Muang Tak, Ban Tak, Sam Ngao, Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang, Umphang, Phop Phra and Wang Chao.

Mani Banphot SwampKhao Tham
Khao Tham Located in Tambon Mai Ngam, this 71-metre rocky hillock, near Phahonyothin 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.

Mani Banphot SwampKing Taksin the Great Shrine
King Taksin the Great Shrine Located on Charot Withithong Road, 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.

Lan Sang National Park
Lan Sang National Park Located on the Tak-Mae Sot Highway (Route 105), 17 kilometres from Tak city, and accessed by a 3-kilometre road, the park contains the scenic Lan Sang and Pha Phung waterfalls. Accommodation is available.

Mani Banphot Swamp
Mani Banphot Swamp This scenic, extensive area within the heart of Tak city is located near Wat Mani Banphot on Phahonyothin Highway. Inside the temple, a Chiang Saen Buddha image dating from the late 1200s is enshrined.

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 kilometres off the Tak-Mae Sot Highway, some 26 kilometres 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.

Attractions:
King Taksin the Great Shrine Located on Charot Withithong Road, 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 Phahonyothin Highway. Inside the temple, a Chiang Saen Buddha image dating from the late 1200's is enshrined.

Khao Tham Located in Tambon Mai Ngam, this 71-metre rocky hillock, near Phahonyothin 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.

Wat Phra Boromthat & Ancient Tak City This monastery, located 25 kilometres 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)

Bhumibol Dam Thailand's largest dam is located some 60 kilometres 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 Hot districts. Accommodation is available at the dam.

Mae Ping Lake Cruises Popular cruises originate from the Bhumibol Dam to Chiang Mai's Doi Tao edging the dam reservoir,a total distance of 140 kilometres.

Lan Sang National Park Located on the Tak-Mae Sot Highway (Route 105), 17 kilometres from Tak city, and accessed by a 3-kilometres road, the park contains the scenic Lan Sang and Pha Phung waterfalls. Accommodation is available.

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 kilometres of the Tak-Mae Sot Highway, some 26 kilometres from Tak city. The mountainous area has several scenic viewpoints, evergreen forest, waterfalls and streams. Accommodation, primarily in the form of bungalows and campsites, is available.

Doi Musur Hilltribe Development & Welfare Centre Located on the road to Lan Sang Waterfall, the area is one in which Lahu, Lisu and Hmong hilltribes reside. Hilltribe products are for sale at Km. 29 on the Tak-Mae Sot Highway.

Mae Sot This riverside settlement on the Moei River, facing Myanmar on the opposite bank, and some 86 kilometres from Tak city, is well know 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 Soy-Mae Sariang Highway (Route 1085), at Km. 95-96. It is necessary to ford the Mae Usu stream in front of the cave to gain access.This may not be possible during the annual Rains Season (July through October).

Pha Charoen Waterfall is a breathtaking multi-tiered waterfall located between Km. 36-37 along Highway No. 1090.

Umphang This distant district is 164 Kilometers south of Mae Sot on Highway No. 1090. There are air-conditioned buses, as well as flights from Bangkok to Mae Sot, and then, take the local bus to Umphang. The scenic Highway's highest point is some 1,200 metres 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.

Every part of Umphang is a centre of ecotourism; For example, major water sources can be found here. It is also part of a World Heritage Site. The way of life of the Karen hilltribe people, who keep elephants as a means of transportation, can be seen in Umphang District. These people live close to nature.

There are many types of accommodation within Umphang that provide services for tourism-rafting, trekking, elephant riding,etc.

For safety and protection of personal property, visitors are advised to refrain from using the services of illegal guides and children. Only use the services of the operators who are registered under the Tourism Business and Guides Registration Office. While rafting, please use life-saving equipment at all times for safety.

Major attractions in Umphang are as follows:
Thi Lo Cho or Falling Rain Waterfall is approximately 3 kilometres from Umphang. The upper falls are located on high cliff and the tier is narrow whereas the lower falls are part of the stream of the Mae Klong, falling like rainfall. It is possible to travel year round.

Doi Hua Mot is approximately 4 kilometres from Umphang. On the mountaintops, there are no large trees, only undulating limestone hills with clusters of small shrubs growing throughout the area. The top of Doi Hua Mot is the place to admire the "Sea of Fog' in the early morning.

Sepla Waterfall is located in the area of Ben Sepla, Tambon Mae Lamung. It is approximately 3 kilometres from Ban Palatha, and is know for its beauty. The waterfall is made up of tiers which a width of approximately 10 metres and a length of approximately 50 metres. The water flows down onto the rocks below, among the greenery.

Takhodi Cave is located in the area of Ban Mae Klong Mai, approximately 3 kilometres from Umphang. lnside, there is a large chamber. It is possible to go through the cave to Ban Mae Klong. There are very beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.

Thi Lo Su Waterfall Located in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, is the most beautiful in Thailand. Originating from Huai Klotho, it flows down a mountain valley at a height of 200-300 metres.The fall flows down in tiers surrounded by virgin forest. There is a trail to the waterfall from the wildlife sanctuary office. It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk, and there are places to stop and admire the impressive views from the top. To get there, follow a small road off the main road from Umphang for 27 kilometres. Visitors must follow the set route, or raft and walk through the forest. Vehicles can enter between November to April only.

Major Events:
Loi Krathong Sai 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 Maharachanuson Fair Celebrated annually from December 28-January 3 at the Taksin Shrine and provincial sports field, the fair features religious ceremonies and processions, displays and nightly folk entertainment.

Local Products:
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, lacquerware, rubies and other gemstones.

How to get there:
Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) and Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, then turn into Highway No. 1 again and proceed to Tak via Kamphaeng Phet, a total distance of 426 kilometres. Bus
Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok’s Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Tak between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day. The journey takes 6 hours. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information. Private bus companies which operate daily bus services to Tak are such as Thanchit Tour (Tel: 0 2551 1307), Choet Chai Tour (Tel: 0 2551 1054).

Train
There are no trains going directly to Sukhothai. One may travel by train to Phitsanulok and then take a local bus to Tak. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690, 0223 7010, 0 2223 7020

Air
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Mae Sot , 86 kilometres from Tak. For more information, call 0 2229 3456–63 or 0 5564 7225-6. Air Andaman provides daily flight services from Bangkok to Mae Sot and several flights Chiang Mai to Mae Sot. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0 2996 9119

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