Just 15km west of the turning for Lan Sang National Park on Highway 12 between Tak and Mae Sot is a right turn to Taksin Maharat National Park, which is named after Tak’s local hero, King Taksin the Great. Because of their proximity, these two parks are often visited together.
With an elevation of around 1000 meters and an area of over 200 square kilometers, the park enjoys a fresh climate almost all year. Its most famous attraction, an enormous krabak tree (Anisoptera Spp.), is the largest of its kind in Thailand. It stands over 50 meters tall and measures 16 meters around its base. The tree is found 4km from the park headquarters.
The other major attraction is Saphan Hin, a natural stone bridge that stretches between two cliffs. At 30 meters long and more than 25 meters wide, it’s impressive to see. Given the size of the natural bridge, the relatively modest stream gurgling below is a little anticlimactic. The bridge is about 10km from park headquarters and makes for a nice picnic destination.
Getting There
Follow Highway 12 (aka H105) from Tak toward Mae Sot and turn right after the 27km marker, following signposts to the park. If you don’t have your own transport, take a songthaew from Tak heading for Mae Sot and have the driver drop you at the turn-off for the park, then walk the last few kilometers.
The nearest airport (coming from Bangkok) is at Sukhothai, but flights are infrequent and connections with this area are poor. Mae Sot airport is much closer, with irregular flights from Chiang Mai.
Need to Know
- What is it? A national park with a huge tree and fresh climate.
- When to go? Between November and January when cool temperatures usher in the fog.
- Nearest town: Tak is about 30km to the east of the park.
- Don’t miss: the massive krabak tree.
- Trivia: The park was originally called “Ton Krabak Yai National Park” in honor of its giant tree rather than Taksin the Great.
- Opening hours: 06:00-18:00
- Entrance fee: Adults 200B, children 100B