Tak Travel Guide
Tak perches on Thailand's Ping River, downstream from Chiang Mai. It's locked in mountainous terrain and has little to offer visitors beyond access to Mae Sot and the border crossing with Myanmar.
- Worth It?
- Not unless you're a mountain biker training for the annual competition.
- What to Do
- visit the reservoir.
- Best Time to Go
- after the rainy season, from November to February.
- How Long?
- Half a day is enough for most visitors.
- Trivia
- Bhumibol Dam was built in Tak in the 1950s and is named after Thailand's current king.
Despite its lack of tourist appeal, Tak is one of northern Thailand's oldest settlements with more than eight centuries of history. The biggest claim to fame in Tak is Mae Ping Reservoir, formed by Thailand's largest concrete dam. Cruises on Ping Lake can be nice in the cool season.
The local Loi Krathong Festival is a major event here though it gets overshadowed by the events in Chiang Mai. In Tak, the krathong rafts are made from coconut shells rather than banana leaves (as in other provinces). There's also a major mountain biking competition held every August at the dam.
Travel to Tak - Getting There
There's a small airport in Tak though service is spotty. Your best bet is to transfer to Phitsanoluk where regular flights are available to Chiang Mai International Airport. A longer transfer to Sukhothai Airport (1 hour, 30 minutes) allows for more regional connections. VIP coaches from Tak can reach Chiang Mai in 4 hours or Bangkok in 10 hours.
Tak Things to Do
Tak Attractions
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