|
 On
traveling to Tak Province, expect to discover a place with long
history, where natural wonders are magnificently enhanced by ethnic
diversity.
Mostly forested and mountainous, Tak is a northern province peacefully
situated on the Maenam Ping basin. The province covers an area of
16,406 square kilometers and is 426 kilometers north of Bangkok.
As Tak shares natural border with Myanmar, it is highly regarded
as a western gateway to Myanmar, and a northern doorway to Thailand's
major cities such as Lampang and Chiang Mai.
The Past
A province with a long history, Tak was earlier called Mueang
Rahang. Historians believe it was built prior to the Sukhothai era
and was treated as the western frontier of the Kingdom. Tak was
also associated with Thailand's former Great Kings, from King Ramkamhaeng
the Great, King Naresuan the Great, King Narai the Great to King
Taksin the Great. These four Kings usually called their troop assemblies
in Tak. That is why the seal of the province depicts King Naresuan
the Great on the royal elephant, pouring sacred water on the ground.
This is a symbolic representation of the declaration of the independence
of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya during the war with Burma in 1584. Tak
was considered the first district to be liberated from the power
of the Burmese Kingdom.
The Present
Today, Tak is no longer a strategic military frontier between
two great nations. It is however a trading gateway to Myanmar at
Amphoe Mae Sot, where lots of economic activities take place daily
along the border. In addition, the province has the Asian Highway
that runs from Thailand's western border towards the northeastern
region at Chong Mek (Mae Sot Sukhothai Phitsanulok Ubon Ratchathani
- Laos).
Apart from Tak's military and economic importance the province
is also an environmental and cultural center with magnificent forests,
spectacular waterfalls and caves and fascinating hill tribes such
as Karen, Lisu, Musoe (Lahu), Akha, Yao and Hmong.
|
