Tak
High mountains line the valley of the wide Menam Ping, one of the larger tributaries of the Menam Chao Phraya, near the idyllic provincial town of Tak (Dak), the "gateway to the north". The spectacular countryside is impressive and worth a detour from
Sukhothai on the way to Chiang Mai. Owing to its proximity to Myanmar (Burma) the cultural influences are clearly apparent. However, it is still not possible to travel overland to Myanmar.
By car: from Sukhothai Highway 12 (80 km (50 mi.)). From Kamphaeng Phet Highways 1/104 (60 km (37 mi.)).
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (420 km (261 mi.)), Surin and Kamphaeng Phet.
By air: four times weekly from Bangkok.
There are numerous wooden houses built in traditional Thai style in the picturesque old town. A monument, the Sala Somdet Phra Chao Maharat, is dedicated to the town's most-famous son, King Taksin (1768-82), founder of the present-day kingdom of Siam.