Discover Thailand With A Visit To The Unseen, Unspoiled Tak Province

When people think of visiting Thailand, the itinerary often includes famous places like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. However, many people don’t realize that Thailand has many hidden jewels, one of which is Tak province.

Now you may not have heard of Tak Province. You may not even have seen it on Google during one of your searches. While the area is certainly less popular and less visited than other parts of the country, it is full of the beauty and charm that Northern Thailand is known for.

Here’s a quick guide on Tak Province.

Where is Tak Province?

Bordering Myanmar, Thailand’s Tak province is found on the mountainous northern side of the country. The province is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. It also serves as the home to many members of Thailand’s hill tribes.

Despite being a less popular tourist destination, Tak province is well connected to Bangkok and the rest of the country by air, road, and rail. The area is also full of hotels and guesthouses, with many accommodation options available in more laid-back rural areas.

How to get to Tak Province?

There are four transportation options that you can take if you want to get to Tak Province. For all options, the starting point would be the capital city of Bangkok.

By Bus

• From Bangkok, you can take a tourist bus from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal to the Tak Bus Terminal
• Traveling time from Bangkok to Tak takes about 7 to 9 hours
• Bus companies offering tourist buses from Bangkok to Tak include Transport Co. and Thai Sriram
• A one-way ticket would cost about $10 – $15 per person

By Train

1. Bangkok to Nakhon Sawan

• If you’re traveling by train, there is one that connects Bangkok to Nakhon Sawan
• There are about four to six trains traveling from Bangkok to Nakhon Sawa daily
• Train tickets cost about $3 to $30 per person, depending on the class
• Traveling time between Bangkok and Nakhon Sawancan takes between 3.5 to 4.5 hours

2. Nakhon Sawan to Tak

• From Nakhon Sawan, you can take a bus to Tak
• A bus ticket costs $5 to $8 per person
• The traveling time takes about 2.5 hours

By Taxi

• You can rent a private car/minivan to take you from Bangkok to Tak
• Traveling by taxi or car can take about 6 to 7.5 hours
• The travel could set you back between $220 to $300

By Plane

• From Bangkok, you can take a direct flight to Mae Sot on Nok Air
• Direct flights only take about an hour
• Flights to Mae Sot leave from Don Mueang Airport
• A plane ticket costs between $100 to $120 per person

Where to eat in Tak Province?

1. Pad Thai Trok Ban Chin
   Pad Thai Trok Ban Chin is one of Tak’s most beloved restaurants. While they do have an extensive menu, the restaurant is best known for its traditional pad Thai, which the shop has sold for more than four generations.The store’s Pad Thai is unique, with the sauce being made with salted soya beans. The sauce is tossed with high-quality noodles and stir-fried to perfection. Everything is then wrapped in a blanket of eggs.Besides pad Thai, the store also offers other classic dishes, including tom yam noodles and stir-fried noodles.The store is located along Ban Chin Alley near Ta Ruea Road.
2. Khao Tom Pong Karee
   Khao Tom Pong Karee, which translates to yellow boiled rice, serves some of the best curry rice bowls in Thailand. While the curry is normally eaten during lunch, Tak locals normally have this dish for breakfast. The dish is usually topped with minced pork, fried red onions, and crispy fried wonton. If you want a bit more kick, you can also sprinkle a bit of black pepper on top of the rice.The Khao Tom Pong Karee restaurant is located opposite the 7-Eleven Nong Luang Branch in Amphur Mueang.If you plan to visit Khao Tom Pong Karee, be there very early in the morning. Their yellow rice is often sold out by 9 AM.
3. Tieng Na Coffee & Bakery Farm
   The Tieng Na Coffee & Bakery Farm is a beautiful cafe that blends minimal and modern aesthetics with farm living. The cafe grows its own trees and vegetables in its garden, which are then used for ingredients at the restaurant.People who visit the cafe for the first time are advised to try out Tieng Na Coffee, which coffee lovers appreciate for its fragrant aroma and taste.If you’re looking to pair your drinks with dessert, the best dishes in the restaurant include blueberry cheese pie, choux cream, and chocolate mousse topped with a gold leaf.The Tieng Na Coffee & Bakery Farm is located on 27/28 Phahon Yothin Road, Tambon Mai Ngam in Amphur Mueang.

Best Points of Interest and Landmarks in Tak Province

There are many places you can go to in Tak Province. However, here are some of the most famous spots.

1. Hilltribe Market
   The Hilltribe Market is an open-air market where you can go to purchase the freshest produce and fruits, a range of spices, and dried food. Some vendors also sell rice cakes and souvenirs.
2. Thai Unity Temple
   The Thai Unity Temple is a beautiful tourist site located along Ban Mae Luang Moo 9 in Mae Sot. The temple is unique for the dozens of colorful parasols hanging from a thin wire, which makes them appear as if they are floating on air.
3. Wat Mani Phraison
   The Wat Mani Phraison is a large Buddhist temple located near the market in Mae Sot City in Tak province. The site’s main attraction is the “Samphutte” Chedi or Stupa, which is surrounded by more than 200 smaller Chedis. Each of the stupas contains an image of Buddha.In addition to the Chedis inside the temple, the Wat Mani Phraison also features two Buddha statues near the entrance, one of which is free-standing while the other is sitting.
4. Wat Chumphon Khiri
   Located in Mae Sot, the Wat Chumphon Khiri is a 200-year-old temple featuring a replica of the Burmese Shwedagon Pagoda. The replica is surrounded by 20 other satellite pagodas, each of which boasts vibrant colors.
5. King Naresuan The Great Shrine
   Located at the Noen Hom junction, The Great Shrine was created to commemorate King Naresuan’s camping at Prachin Buri in 1589 while he was heading to Cambodia from the ancient city of Ayutthaya. The site is a great little spot to visit for people who want to learn more about Thai history.
6. Ton Krabak Yai
   Found inside the Taksin Maharat National Park, the Ton Krabak Yai refers to the biggest Krabak tree in Thailand. The tree towers 50 meters above the ground and measures about 16 meters.The tree is endangered as a result of illegal logging. The Ton Krabak Yai, in particular, had survived only because it’s difficult to get to due to being located in a very steep-sided valley. It is unclear how long the tree has been standing, but estimates put its age between 700 to 1,000 years.