Tak sits on the east bank of the Ping River, which is about 500 meters wide here. The town is surrounded by mountainous terrain and though it has no stellar attractions, it’s one of the friendliest towns in Thailand and is thus a cool place to hang out for a few days.
Tak is one of northern Thailand’s oldest settlements with more than eight centuries of history. Its greatest claim to fame is as the birthplace of King Taksin (1734-1782), who drove the Burmese away after the sacking of Ayutthaya but then became deluded by grandeur and met an ignominious end. The shrine to King Taksin is one of the town’s most interesting places to visit, and there’s a special festival held here on 28 December-3 January each year.
Another place worth visiting is Trok Ban Chin, an area of splendid wooden houses with intricate carvings that are owned by prominent families. Some have been restored to their original glory.
There’s also an attractive suspension bridge (for pedestrians only), that looks like a mini version of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and a riverside market that is well worth exploring.
The local Loi Krathong Festival is a major event here though it gets overshadowed by events in Chiang Mai and Sukhothai. In Tak, the krathong rafts are made from coconut shells rather than banana stems (as in other provinces), and it makes a good alternative if you don’t like crowds.
Tak is a typical market town located on the east bank of the Ping River, about 430km north of Bangkok and 270km south of Chiang Mai. It forms a major crossroads of Highway 1 running north to south and Highway 12 running east to west.
Foreign visitors who head for this part of the country are usually bound for Sukhothai or Kamphaeng Phet, both of which are just an hour or two drive away. However, is you’re ready for a break from tourist hordes and interested to touch the pulse of life in back country Thailand, Tak is a great destination.
The town is located in a neat rectangle, bordered by the Ping River to the west, Highway 1 to the south and east, and Highway 12 to the north. Within this rectangle are a few main streets that run north to south, and hundreds of winding backstreets in which it is easy to get lost. There’s a huge market and recreation park by the river, which is the focus of activity for locals in the evening, when they come here for exercise and/or to snack at food stalls.
The sights are quite easy to find. The Taksin shrine is on Highway 12 to the north of town, the suspension bridge is over the Ping River, and Trok Ban Chin is set back a couple of blocks from the recreation park at the south end of town.
Some of the town’s hotels are right in the center, but there are also several on the ring road round town, and even a few resorts to the west across the river.
Where to Go
- Trok Ban Chin: admire the architecture of Chinese merchants’ houses with their intricately carved windows and balconies.
- King Taksin the Great Shrine: see how locals still adore their most famous son.
- Suspension Bridge over the Ping River: enjoy views of the Ping River and hills to the west of town.
When to Go
Like the rest of North Thailand, Tak has three distinct seasons - the cool season from November to February, the hot season from March to May, and the rainy season from June to October. The cool season is not as noticeable here as further north as its elevation is lower than most other northern provinces.
Things to Do
Tak is the kind of place where it’s good to leave your hotel room without an agenda and just stroll around, nosing into temples and fresh markets and enjoying some noodles at a streetside stall. However, there are a few places worth looking out while you’re there. You can pick up a helpful map of the town at the TAT office, which recently moved to the north end of Taksin Road (#193).
The shrine to King Taksin at the north end of town is busy almost any time of day and is worth a visit to see how Thais love to make offerings of small statues. The shrine is surrounded by models of horses, chickens and warriors.
Trok Ban Chin, towards the south end of town, is an alley lined with some beautifully constructed wooden houses that once belonged to rich Chinese merchants. Some have fallen into disrepair, but it’s still worth a look at this street full of character.
The suspension bridge over the river offers good views up and downstream, and is conveniently located near lots of food stalls that open in the evening with lots of tasty treats.
Getting There
Either take a bus from Bangkok (about 6 hours) or from Chiang Mai (about 4 hours), or drive there in a rented vehicle along Highway 1 from either city.
The easiest way to get to Tak is by bus. From Mor Chit, Bangkok’s northern bus station, the journey takes around 6 hours, while from Chiang Mai the bus takes about 4 hours. The nearest airport if you’re coming from Bangkok is at Sukhothai, flights are irregular and by the time you’ve got from there to Tak, the journey will take as long as by bus all the way.
Getting Around
Tak town center is small enough to walk around, and this is the best way to explore Trok Ban Chin and the riverside market. If you’re feeling lazy but want to visit the King Taksin shrine, your best bet is to hail a motorbike taxi or tricycle.
Where to Stay
Among mid-range options, there’s only one in the town center, the Viangtak Riverside, while the others are scattered round the ring road, which isn’t so convenient if you don’t have your own transport as it’s a long walk into town.
There are a few run-down budget places in the center of town, but fortunately there is also a smart alternative that offers good value - the Mekwilai Hotel.
Where to Eat
It’s a good idea to carry a phrase book with you when wandering around Tak, as you’re likely to be tempted to ‘go local’ and try out some simple restaurant that appeals, and there’s a serious shortage of English-language menus in this town.
In the evening, food stalls selling every conceivable type of cuisine set up along the riverfront and they get a lot of custom from locals out for an evening stroll. If you see something you fancy here, just point and squat on a stool; your order will soon be with you.
Most hotels have a restaurant for their guests that is also open to outside visitors, and the pick of the bunch is the Rimping Terrace at the Viangtak Riverside Hotel, not so much for its food as for its pleasant riverside location.
Where to Party
There’s no nightlife in Tak that is geared towards Western tastes, which isn’t surprising as the town rarely receives Western visitors. However, if you feel restless and want to see what Thais do for nightlife in town, head along to the karaoke lounge at either the Viangtak Riverside or Rajaburi Boutique hotels.
Where to Shop
There is no particular product for which Tak is famous, so there are no shops that we can recommend. However, keep your eyes open when wandering round the markets and backstreets, as you may spot an item of clothing or a bag made out of locally woven textiles, which could make a unique souvenir of your stay.
Need to Know
- What to do: visit the Taksin shrine and Trok Ban Chin and take an evening stroll by the river.
- When to go: Either at festival time or during the cool season from November to February.
- How long? A couple of days is enough to explore this small town.