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Tak Province
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Statistics | |
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| Capital: | Tak |
| Area: | 16,406.6 km² Ranked 4th |
| Inhabitants: | 486,146 (2000) Ranked 49th |
| Pop. density: | 30 inh./km² Ranked 75th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-63 |
| Governor: | Chumphon Phonrak (since November 2006) |
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Tak (Thai: ตาก) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani and Kanchanaburi. The western edge of province has a long boundary with Kayin State of Myanmar (Burma).
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The Bhumibol Dam (named after king Bhumibol Adulyadej, the old name was Yanhee Dam) stops the river Ping, one of the two sources of the Chao Phraya river. The artificial lake created covers an area of 300 km² and is the largest in Thailand. The Taksin Maharat and the Lan Sang National parks are also located in the province. Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary share half of the lake front with Kanchanaburi and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary at the border with Uthai Thani and are declared as a World Heritage site.
Tak was a historical kingdom built over 2,000 years ago, even before the Sukhothai period. The ancient kingdom had its peak during around the 1st century. By the 5th century the capital of this kingdom was moved south to Lavo (present day Lopburi Province). A city named Ban Tak was established by Cham Thewi (พระนางจามเทวี), princess of Lavo king, around 663 AD. It became part of the Sukhothai kingdom through battles by Ramkhamhaeng the Great and formed the main fortress on the western front. The city was moved further west and renamed Mueang Rahang when theAyuthaya kingdom was lost to Burma during King Maha Thammaracha's reign. The city was moved back to the east of the (Ping?)river during the early Bangkok period.
King Taksin was vice-governor of Tak before the Ayutthaya kingdom fell during the war with Burma. As his name was Sin, he became called Tak-Sin during his duty in Tak.
Agriculture is a major part of the Tak economy. The province of Tak produces rice, corn, vegetables, fruits, beef, tilapia, etc. Industries in Tak include mining, granite, jewelry. Handicrafts and Myanmar products are also important for trade. For tourism, the Bhumibol Dam in the northern part of Tak is its most popular tourist attraction. Tourism, especially ecotourism, in the southern part are seasonal with popular destinations such as Thi Lo Su Waterfall, Thi Lo Le Waterfall, hiking and white water rafting in its various forest reserves. Tak is also famous for its Loy Krathong festival where krathong sai (กระทงสาย) consisting of many krathongs are floated in a long line down the river. The Loy Krathong festival is held on the Ping River in Amphoe Mueang Tak on Loy Krathong night.
Tak is a key communication and transportation center of the North, with three Asian highways passing through the province. AH1 enters through the Myanmar-Thai border at Amphoe Mae Sot; AH2 passes through the province from north to south. Also AH16 terminates at Tak. Tak is located 426 km from Bangkok. Daily flights were also between Bangkok and Mae Sot by Phuket Air but now the service has been stopped. The flight takes one and a half hour.
About a quarter of the population belongs to one of Thailand's hill tribes: Yao, Karen (Thai Gariang), Akha (Thai Egaw), Lahu (Thai Musay) Hmong (Thai Meo) and Lisu (Thai Lisaw). The largest tribe in Tak is Karen.
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The seal of the province show King Naresuan on the royal elephant. Sometimes below the elephant a garuda is depicted, as the garuda is the state symbol of Thailand. King Naresuan is shown pouring consecrated water on the ground, a symbolic act to declare independence. This refers to the war of 1584 with Burma, when Tak was the first border town to be liberated from Burmese control. The provincial tree is the Asian Jatoba (Xylia kerrii), the provincial flower the Orchid tree (Bauhinia sp.). |
The province is subdivided in 9 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 63 subdistricts (tambon) and 493 villages (muban).
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Website of province (Thai)
- Tak provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
