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Tak

Inside the City

King Taksin the Great Shrine. Located near the Tak TAT office, 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 Paholyothin Highway. Inside the temple, a Chiang Saen Buddha image dating from the late 1200s is enshrined. Khao Tham Located in Tambon Mai Ngam, this 71 - meter rocky hillock, near Paholyothin 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.

Out of City Attraction

Lan Sang National Park This park is located on Tak - Mae Sot Highway at Km. 17, where a 3 kms. access road leading to the park area branches off on the left. In the vicinity of the park one can see beautiful falls such as Namtok Lan Sang, Namtok Pha Phung, Namtok Lan Liang Ma, etc. General surrounding accommodation contact National Park Division, Royal Forestry Department, Tel : 579-0529, 579-4842. Wat Phra Boromthat and Ancient Tak City This monastery, located 25 kilometers 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). Doi Musur Hill Tribe Development and Welfare Center The Center is located on Tak - Mae Sot Highway (No.105), between Km. 27. With in a short distance after turning, one can see Doi Musur, the location of Hill Tribe Self - Help Settlement, being the area in which three hill tribes : Lahu, Lisu, and Meo reside. The center is an interesting place to visit. Bhumibol Dam Thailand's largest dam is located some kilometers 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 Amphoe Hot. Accommodation is available at the dam. Contact the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand at ( Bangkok ) 436 - 3179 or 424-0101 for further details. Taksin Maharat National Park Originally name Krabak - Yai National Park after the name of Thailand's biggest tree found here. The park is located along Tak - Mae Sot Highway ( No. 105 ) about km. 30-31, with the access road on the right leading to the park about 2 kms. With the area of 149 square kilometers or 37,250 acres, the park is surrounded by steep mountains and hills, together with shady trees, evergreen forest, waterfalls, clear streams and many beautiful view points. Accommodations are provided in the form of bungalows, tents and tourist - house, and reservation can be made through the National park Division Tel :579-0529, 579-4842. Mae Ping Lake Cruises Popular cruises originate from the Bhumibol Dam to Chiang Mai's Doi Tao Self - Help Settlement edging the dam reservoir, a total distance of 140 kilometers. Full details may be obtained from the Educational Tour Center, Tel : ( Bangkok ) 221-5183, or the Thongnatee Company Limited, Tel : 457-3428, 467-2557. Hill - tribes Produces Stalls Located at km. 35 on Tak - Mae Sot route, the stalls put on sales various crops of Hill-Tribe people from morning until afternoon.

Amphoe Mae Sot

This riverside settlement on the Moei River, facing Myanmar (Burma) on the opposite bank, and some 86 kilometers from Tak city, is well known for its shopping opportunities, especially for Burmese goods such as cloth lengths, gemstones and decorative items. Namtok Nang Khruan It is a small roadside waterfall. To get there, drive along the Highway 1090 and turn right at Kilometer 31-32 to the Highway 1206 towards Amphoe Pho Phra. Nam Tok Nang Khruan is located at Kilometer 12. Namtok Pha Charoen It is a breathtaking 97 - tiered waterfall located between Kilometers 36 - 37 along Highway 1090. After turning left to a dirt road off the highway, drive further for 700 meters to reach Pha Charoen Waterfall. Rim Moei Market is a community on the banks of Moei River, opposite to Burma's Myawadee, which also doubles as a jewel market. Tourists can take boats from here to the Burmese side. Wat Thai Watthanaram is 3-4 kms off Mae Sot district, towards the Rim Moei Market. It is a Yunnan temple revealing a high influence of Burmese culture.

Amphoe Umphang

It is also a border district adjoining Myanmar. It is about 249 kilometers from the provincial city along the Highway 105, the Tak - Mae Sot route, with a turn to the Mae Sot - Um Phang Highway (Highway 1090). The road meanders through mountainous area to Amphoe Um Phang. Another former Karen settlement, the district was later inhabited by migrant people from northern Thailand. Nowadays, Amphoe Um Phang is renowned for its challenging activities like jungle trek and rafting thanks to its intact nature. Tourist Attraction in Amphoe Umpang include " Doi Hua Mot " Sheer scenic sunrise and the sea of the morning mist as well as sunset are not to be missed, "Tham Ta Ko Bi " - a spacious cave with beautiful stalagmites and staccatos, " Mu Ban Karieng Pa La Tha ",a developing Karen village where the villagers still dress in their original costumes, and " Namtok Thi Lo Su " - a large breathtaking waterfall cascading down a high cliff with streaming water all year round. Thi Lo Su Waterfall This spectacular waterfall is located in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary and can be visited only from November through May. Would - be visitors to the waterfall and wildlife sanctuary are recommended to enquire first with the TAT ( Tel : ( 055 ) 514-341-3 ) for information regarding travel conditions and camping opportunities.

Amphoe Mae Ramat

It is a border district adjoining Myanmar, 120 kilometers away from the provincial city. To get there, drive along the Tak - Mae Sot - Mae Ramat or the Tak - Ban Tak - Mae Ramat route. With a mountainous topography, Amphoe Mae Ramat was originally a Karen settlement. It was late inhabited by the migrant Lanna Thai People before being upgraded to be an Amphoe. Wat Don Kaeo It is a temple in which Thailand's biggest and most beautiful marble Buddha image of Burmese style is enshrined. The image measures 50 inches from left knee to right knee and 63 inches from base to head top. The temple is situated near Kilometer 33 along the Mae Sot - Mae Ramat - Tha Song Yang route with a left turn for 2 kilometers toward Amphoe Mae Ramat.

Amphoe Tha Song Yang

Is another border district adjoining Myanmar. Stretching along the length of the Moei River, Amphoe Tha Song Yang covers a mountainous area of Thanon Thongchai Range. Farming is a main occupation here. The district is about 82 kilometers from Mae Sot and 169 kilometers from the provincial city, Tak. Tham Mae Usu This cave, having very beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations, is located in Amphoe Tha Song Yang on Highway No. 1085 ( Mae Sot - Mae Sariang ) at Km. 94 - 95 . Tham Mae Usu, with Mae Usu stream passing by, it is unavoidable to ford to the entrance of the cave. During the rainy season, the water level may be too high to get in the cave which is very airy and is not too dark. Mae Usu is a large cave with high ceiling and spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. Doi Mae Ramoeng and Mon Krathing Situated on Mae Sot - Mae Ramat - Tha Song Yang route leading to Mae Sariang, about 133 kms. from Mae Sot, the place offers marvelous mountainous scenes with morning streams of mists and wild animals such as deer, brown - antlered deer, birds, etc.