Tak Map and Travel Guide
Tak Travel Guide
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.
The Past
A province with a long history, Tak was earlier called Mueang Rahang.
Historians believe it was built prior to the Sukhothai era and was
treated as the western frontier of the Kingdom. Tak was also associated
with Thailand's former Great Kings, from King Ramkamhaeng the Great,
King Naresuan the Great, King Narai the Great to King Taksin the
Great. These four Kings usually called their troop assemblies in
Tak. That is why the seal of the province depicts King Naresuan
the Great on the royal elephant, pouring sacred water on the ground.
This is a symbolic representation of the declaration of the independence
of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya during the war with Burma in 1584. Tak
was considered the first district to be liberated from the power
of the Burmese Kingdom.
The Present
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.
How to get there
Travelling to Tak
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) and Highway No.
32 to Nakhon Sawan via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Chai
Nat Provinces, then take Highway No. 1 again and proceed to Tak
via Kamphaeng Phet Province. The total distance is 426 kilometers.
By Bus
From Bangkok: Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Northern
Bus Terminal (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 updated schedules. Daily bus services
to Tak are also available. They are operated by private bus companies
such as Thanchit Tour (Tel: 0 2551 1307), Choet Chai Tour (Tel:
0 2551 1054).
By Rail
From Bangkok: There are no trains going directly to Tak. The nearest
train transfer station is Phitsanulok. From there, tourists can
take a local bus to Tak. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690,
0223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.
By Air
From Bangkok: Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Mae Sot, a district
which is 86 kilometers from the City of Tak. For more updated information,
call 0 2628 2000 (24-hour reservation center) or visit www.thaiairways.com.
From Bangkok via Pitsanulok Province and then transfer to the Pitsanulok-Tak
shuttle. The flights are scheduled to run every Tuesday, Thursday,
Saturday and Sunday. Call 02 628-2000 (24-hour reservation center)
or visit www.thaiairways.com for more information.
From Bangkok to Umphang, Take air-conditioned buses, as well as
flights from Bangkok to Mae Sot, and then, take the local bus to
Umphang. There is now a charter flight operated by Siam GA Co.,
Ltd. The fare is approximately 9,000 bahts to fly directly to Umphang
either on Monday, Wendesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. For more
information, call 02 5043320 ext. 197.
Travel from Tak to other Cities
Tourists who want to travel from Tak to Bangkok or any other city
may choose to go by air or land. Car rental service in the City
of Tak is also available.
By Air
The Thai Airways offers a wide range of trips from Tak and Mae
Sot to other provinces, including Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok. For
more information, call 0 2628 2000 (24-hour reservation center)
By Bus
Many governmental and private bus companies have regular and air-conditioned
bus services to nearby provinces. For more information, call Transportation
Authority of Tak, tel. 0 5551 1057.
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