Tak

Tak Province is in Northern Thailand. On traveling to Tak Province, expect to discover a place with long history, where natural wonders are magnificently enhanced by ethnic diversity.

Mostly forested and mountainous, Tak is a northern province peacefully situated on the Maenam Ping basin. The province covers an area of 16,406 square kilometers and is 426 kilometers north of Bangkok. As Tak shares natural border with Myanmar, it is highly regarded as a western gateway to Myanmar, and a northern doorway to Thailand's major cities such as Lampang and Chiang Mai.

Mueang Tak is a province in the lower North of Thailand. Its former name was “Mueang Rahaeng.” In the past, Mon (the Burmese people) lived here; evidence of Mon arts still remains. The Mon town was originally located at Amphoe Ban Tak. It was established before the Sukhothai period. The town was an important gateway to the west during the Sukhothai period. Four great kings who had their army stay here are also associated with Tak; namely King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, King Naresuan the Great, King Narai the Great, and King Taksin the Great. During the Rattanakosin era, King Rama II had a royal command to move Tak town from the right to the left bank of the Ping River in Tambon Ban Rahaeng; it has been established there up to the present.

Tak is about 426 km from Bangkok, covering an area of 10,254,156 rai. Its geographical features are mountains and forests. This province has many national parks with pristine forest and nature, such as Taksin Maharat National Park, Mae Moei National Park, Lan Sang National Park, and Namtok Pha Charoen National Park. In addition, there are waterfalls – Namtok Thi Lo Su and Namtok Thi Lo Re – that adventure lovers and those who favour whitewater rafting must come to visit. Besides natural beauty, this province is famous for its produce, both flowers and fruits. Its large Thapthim fruit (pomegranate) is now very popular.

Today, Tak is no longer a strategic military frontier between two great nations. It is however a trading gateway to Myanmar at Amphoe Mae Sot, where lots of economic activities take place daily along the border. In addition, the province has the Asian Highway that runs from Thailand's western border towards the northeastern region at Chong Mek (Mae Sot Sukhothai Phitsanulok Ubon Ratchathani - Laos).

Apart from Tak's military and economic importance the province is also an environmental and cultural center with magnificent forests, spectacular waterfalls and caves and fascinating hill tribes such as Karen, Lisu, Musoe (Lahu), Akha, Yao and Hmong.