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Tak (จังหวัดตาก) is a vast, mountainous province whose proximity to Myanmar (Burma) has resulted in a complex history and unique cultural mix.
Perhaps due its relative isolation, much of Tak still remains quite wild. The linked Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, Thung Yai Naresuan National Park, Huay Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and Khlong Lan and Mae Wong National Parks together form one Thailand’s largest wildlife corridors and one of the largest intact natural forests in Southeast Asia.
Yet with the opening of Myanmar’s first land border at Mae Sot–Myawaddy in 2013, Tak finds itself less isolated, and it remains to be seen how its new role as an increasingly important international crossroads will change the province.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Tak Province.
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Located in the Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, this waterfall is Thailand’s largest, measuring an estimated 200m high and up to 400m wide during the rainy season. Thais, particularly fanatical about such things, consider Nam Tok Thilawsu to be the most beautiful waterfall in the country. There’s a shallow cave behind the falls and several levels of pools suitable for swimming.
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The Nam Tok Thilawsu falls are near the headquarters of the Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, which is about 50km from Um Phang, towards Sangkhlaburi in Kanchanaburi Province. The wildlife sanctuary links with the Thung Yai Naresuan National Park and Huay Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (another Unesco World Heritage site), as well as Khlong Lan and Mae Wong National Parks to form one of Thailand's largest wildlife corridors and one of the largest intact natural forests in Southeast Asia.
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Nam Tok Thararak, 26km southeast of Mae Sot, streams beside a picturesque chedi and over limestone cliffs and calcified rocks with a rough texture that makes climbing the falls easy. It’s been made into a park of sorts, with benches right in the stream at the base of the falls for cooling off. On weekends food vendors set up here. The turn-off isn’t clear; look for the sign indicating Chedi Kho.
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Located 41km southeast of Mae Sot, this impressive waterfall with 97 limestone tiers is located in the national park of the same name. It gushes down all year round.
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Alongside Mae Nam Moei on the Thai side of the border is an expansive market that sells a mixture of workaday goods from Myanmar, black-market clothes, cheap Chinese electronics and food, among other things. It’s located 5km west of Mae Sot; catch one of the sŏrng·tăa·ou (20B, frequent from 6am to 6pm) bound for the border from a spot on Th Chid Lom.
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From Ban Mae Klong Mai, just a few kilometres north of Um Phang via the highway to Mae Sot, Rte 1167 heads southwest along the Thai–Myanmar border. Along the way is the cave system of Tham Ta Khu Bi, which in Karen allegedly means ‘Flat Mango’. There are no guides here, so be sure to bring your own torch (flashlight).