Key Takeaways
Overview
Day 1
Located in the northern part of Thailand, Tak province and its main town, also called Tak, are often overlooked by travelers who see it as just a pass-through town. However, what many people don’t realize is that Tak is actually a hidden gem of the north and deserves more than just a quick visit. During our recent three-day trip to Tak, we discovered numerous attractions, delicious food, and charming accommodations that we highly recommend. Despite being less visited than other parts of the country, Tak offers a unique Lanna (northern Thai) charm that should not be missed.
Our journey began in Bangkok, where we started early in the morning and embarked on a six-hour drive to Tak. Along the way, we made stops to eat and relax, allowing us to fully enjoy the scenic drive. We arrived in Tak just before noon and were eager to start exploring.
Wat Phra Borommathat
Our first stop was Wat Phra Borommathat, a temple known for its 200-year-old Buddha relic that is believed to bring good luck, especially for those born in the Year of the Horse. The temple also houses a large Buddha image called Luang Por Tan Jai, which is worshipped by the locals. Inside the temple, we explored a museum showcasing rare and ancient utensils, lamps, containers, and coins from different time periods. The highlight of the museum was a beautiful White Stone Luang Phor Tan Jai Buddha image.
- Opening Time: Open daily from 05:00 A.M.-06:00 P.M.
- Location: Tambon Koh Ta Pao, Amphoe Ban Tak, Tak province
- Admission Fee: Free entry
Petrified Wood Forest Park
Not far from Wat Phra Borommathat is the Petrified Wood Forest Park, a stunning attraction that showcases the wonders of nature. We were amazed by a 120,000-year-old petrified tree, the largest fossilized tree in Asia and the tallest in the world. In addition to this impressive tree, the park also features seven other fossilized trees. We took a leisurely walk along the nature trails, learning about geology and the formation of fossils.
- Opening Time: Open daily from 08:00 A.M.-03:30 P.M.
- Location: Tambon Tak-Ok, Amphoe Ban-Tak, Tak province
- Admission Fee: Free entry
Miang Jom Pol
After a long drive, we were feeling hungry and decided to take a break in downtown Tak. We stopped at Miang Jom Pol, a local eatery known for its delicious miang kham, a traditional Thai snack. Miang kham consists of chopped lemongrass, fresh ginger, lime, garlic, roasted peanuts, grated coconut, and crispy dried rice wrapped in a black sesame chip or a wild betel leaf. The highlight of this snack is the sweet, sour, and slightly salty sauce made with fermented soybeans. We couldn’t resist trying the unique version of miang kham with fresh or dried chilis and pea eggplants. The flavors were so delightful that one tray of these snacks was not enough!
- Opening Time: Open daily from 09:00 A.M-05:00 P.M.
- Location: Tambon Hua Kied, Amphoe Mueang, Tak province
- Tel.: 087-308-2874
- Price: 30 baht per tray/35 baht per tray (Takeaway)
After satisfying our cravings, we checked into Silayok Grand Hotel, a charming accommodation located in the heart of Tak town. The hotel provided a comfortable and spacious room with all the necessary amenities, including air conditioning, warm water, WiFi, and breakfast. The friendly staff and clean rooms made our stay even more enjoyable. We highly recommend Silayok Grand Hotel to anyone visiting Tak.
- Location: Tambon Rahaeng, Amphoe Mueang, Tak province
- Tel.: 055-515-555, 055-515-556, 096-636-6414
- Check-in Time: 02:00 P.M.
- Check-out Time: 12:00 P.M.
- Rate: 500-850 baht
Day 2
On the second day of our Tak adventure, we woke up early to try a local breakfast specialty at a popular street stall. Khao tom pong karee, a boiled rice soup with curry powder, parsley, and crispy fried wonton, is a dish unique to Tak province and is only available for breakfast. We rushed to the stall and found it already crowded with locals who knew about this hidden gem. The fragrant rice soup, infused with curry and topped with crispy wonton, was a delightful way to start our day in Tak.
- Opening Time: Daily from 06:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.
- Location: Tambon Nong Luang, Amphoe Mueang, Tak province
- Tel.: 082-507-6438
- Price: 15 baht per bowl
After a satisfying breakfast, we returned to our hotel to freshen up and check out. Our next destination was Trok Ban Chin, also known as Ban Chin Alley, a historic community with a rich cultural heritage. This alley is home to wooden houses that blend Thai, Chinese, and Western architectural styles, reflecting its history as a trading center during the Rattanakosin era. Despite being mostly destroyed during World War II, the houses have been restored to showcase their unique architectural features. Some of the notable structures include a grand wooden house with intricate carvings, a blue-painted Western-style house owned by the Sophanodorn family, and the Chin Thing Yu house with its impressive Western entrance and curved staircase. We also visited Ban Chatharaprasit-osod, a 100-year-old house that belonged to a Chinese family running a traditional medicine business during the reign of King Rama IV.
- Opening Time: Photo Taking is possible during the day
- Location: Tambon Rahaeng, Amphoe Mueang, Tak province
- Admission Fee: Free entry
After immersing ourselves in the rich history of Trok Ban Chin, we couldn’t resist trying the famous Pad Thai Trok Ban Chin. This long-standing eatery has been serving up unique versions of pad thai for decades. The flavors were outstanding, with the signature pad thai being the highlight of our meal. The sizzling woks, fresh ingredients, and perfectly stir-fried noodles created a dish that was hard to resist. We also indulged in a pork wonton soup, which had a savory and slightly sweet broth with delicious minced pork wontons.
- Opening Time: Open daily from 09:00 A.M.-04:00 P.M.
- Location: Tambon Rahaeng, Amphoe Mueang, Tak province
- Tel.: 055-551-330
- Price: 15-25 baht per dish
With satisfied stomachs, we bid farewell to Tak town and embarked on a scenic drive to Mae Sot, a city known for its fresh mountain air. Along the way, we took advantage of the numerous photo-worthy spots that offered stunning views of the surrounding mountains and rivers. We also made a stop at the local Talad Mu Ser market, where hill tribe villagers sold fruits and souvenirs. After an hour’s drive, we arrived at Moei Manee Resort and Pha Thai, a grand and peaceful hotel located in Mae Sot. This colonial-style white wooden house provided a serene atmosphere and convenient location, making it the perfect place to relax and explore Mae Sot.
- Location: Tambon Mae Pa, Amphoef Mae Sot, Tak province
- Tel.: 086-887-3386
- Check-in: 02:00 P.M.
- Check-out: 12:00 P.M. (noon)
- Price: Starting from 1,000 baht
After a brief rest at the hotel, it was time for dinner. One of the top restaurants in Mae Sot is Ran Khaomao Khaofang, known for its beautiful landscaped grounds and delicious northern Thai cuisine. The restaurant offers a variety of mouthwatering dishes, including fried fish with herbs, crispy fried fish with chili sauce, hunglay curry, and local hors d’oeuvres. The serene atmosphere and delectable food made for a memorable dining experience.
- Opening Time: Lunch from 11:00 A.M.-03:00 P.M. Dinner from 05:00 P.M.-09:30 P.M.
- Location: Tambon Mae Pa, Amphoe Mae Sot, Tak province
- Tel.: 055-532-483, 055-533-607
- Website: http://www.factbook.com/Khaomao.Khaofang
- Price: Starting from 120 baht
Day 3
On our last day in Tak, we woke up to refreshing morning weather and decided to visit Ran Khanom Bai Bua, a bakery located in Mae Sot. This popular bakery offers a wide range of souvenirs, a restaurant, beverages, and freshly baked goods. We couldn’t resist sampling some of their delicious desserts, including the rich and dense coconut cake and the moist brownies with extra chocolate on top. These treats were so delectable that we couldn’t help but buy more to take home as souvenirs.
- Opening Time: Open daily from 08:00 A.M.-07:00 P.M.
- Location: Mae Sot City Municipality, Amphoe Mae Sot, Tak province
- Tel.: 055-533-079, 098-785-3614
Before leaving Mae Sot, we made a stop at Saphan Ban Wang Muang, also known as Ban Wang Muang Bridge. This bridge, built across the Ping River, offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is a popular spot for photography. We drove across the bridge and continued along the riverbank until we reached Wat Wang Muang. This temple houses the Phra That Buddha image and offers beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding nature. We took a peaceful walk through the forest to reach the statue, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere and the company of the fish in the temple’s animal sanctuary.
- Location: Tambon Mai Ngam, Amphoe Mueang, Tak province
- Price: 5 baht per bag of fish food
As our trip came to an end, we couldn’t leave without visiting Tieng Na Coffee & Bakery Farm, a renowned café in Tak. This café offers a wide selection of savory dishes, desserts, and beverages. We were impressed by the cozy atmosphere, surrounded by trees and the delicious desserts and beverages. The blueberry cheese pie and Nutella banana croissant were particularly outstanding, and the 64% dark chocolate cocoa and orange cold brew were perfect choices for coffee lovers.
- Opening Time: Open daily from 08:00 A.M.-06:00 P.M.
- Location: Tambon Mai Ngam, Amphoe Mueang, Tak province
- Tel.: 086-778-0130
- Price: Starting from 95 baht
With our hearts full of wonderful memories, it was time to say goodbye to Tak. This lesser-visited province surprised us with its incredible attractions, delicious food, rich history, and stunning natural beauty. Tak is not just a pass-through town but a destination worth exploring in its own right. We highly recommend visiting Tak and experiencing the unique charm of this hidden gem in northern Thailand.
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