Tak Attractions
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.
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.
Wat Sibunrung
Tak only has one temple worth visiting. The wiharn of the Wat Sibunrung has a decorated trapezium, a fine chedi and a splendid Buddha statue in Sukhothai style.
Tak Surroundings
Lan Sang National Park
Highway 105 heads westwards through mountainous jungle, past Lan Sang National Park with its beautiful waterfalls and villages of the Meo, Lisu and Lahu tribes, to Mae Sot, the border town for Myanmar (98 km (61 mi.)).
Ban Tak, Thailand
Village life can be observed in the small town of Ban Tak, about 20 km (12 mi.) north of Tak. This town on the banks of the Menam Ping with its houses built on stilts is particularly charming at sunset.
Mae Sot, Thailand
Mae Sot is an attractive, lively town in the valley of the Menam Moei, which here forms the border with Myanmar. The temples of this small town are also in typical Burmese style; the most interesting lies about 5 km (3 mi.) out of the town towards the Burmese border. Its wiharn contains four Buddha statues, one of which is of special interest: jewels cascade from its ears.
Yanhee Dam
66 km (41 mi.) north-west of Tak is the Yanhee dam, often referred to as the "King Bhumibol reservoir dam", with a 154-m (505-ft) high wall. Damming the Menam Ping was intended to prevent the floods which frequently affect this region and to provide irrigation for the fertile land. The electricity produced is transmitted as far as Bangkok. The reservoir is a paradise for water-sport enthusiasts (there is a hotel here).
