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| Tak Province | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tak Province |
| Native name | จังหวัดตาก |
| Settlement type | Province |
| Country | Thailand |
| Region | Lower Northern Region |
| Capital | Mueang Tak |
| Area km2 | 16874 |
| Population total | 532000 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Iso code | TH-63 |
Tak Province Tak Province is a province in northwestern Thailand on the border with Myanmar. The province features a mix of mountainous terrain, riverine plains fed by the Ping River and cross-border trade corridors along the Mae Sot–Myawaddy axis. Strategic transportation routes connect Tak with Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, and Bangkok.
Tak Province lies within the Dawna Range and the western foothills of the Phi Pan Nam Range, straddling the middle reaches of the Ping River. Protected areas include parts of Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, Mae Wang National Park, and smaller conservation units adjacent to Huai Nam Dang National Park. The province borders Kanchanaburi Province, Tak-bordering Mae Hong Son to the northwest and shares an international border with Shan State and Kayin State of Myanmar. Major rivers include the Ping River, tributaries such as the Wang River and the Yom River catchment fringe; reservoirs and irrigation works tie into projects formerly associated with Royal Irrigation Department initiatives. Important roadways include Route 1 (Phahonyothin Road), Route 12 (Tak–Sukhothai) and the Asian Highway Network spur AH2. Rail links connect via the Northern Line (Thailand) to Hua Lamphong and onward to Chiang Mai.
The area now comprising the province was part of premodern polities such as Hariphunchai-era domains and later scenes of contest among Sukhothai Kingdom, Ayutthaya Kingdom and frontier principalities. In the 16th century, the Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767) era and later confrontations with Konbaung dynasty forces influenced population movements and fortification at frontier towns like Mae Sot and Mueang Tak. During the 19th century, diplomatic contacts involving envoys to King Mongkut and treaties mediated by Sir John Bowring and British consular interests affected cross-border trade. Under the administrative reforms of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab and the Monthon Thesaphiban system, the province was reorganized into modern administrative units. In the 20th century, Tak became a focal point for World War II logistics in Southeast Asia, and in subsequent decades hosted refugee flows from conflicts in Myanmar including movements tied to the Karen conflict and the 1989 ceasefire agreements era. Recent history includes cooperation with Asian Development Bank projects and bilateral talks under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations framework.
The province has a diverse population including ethnic Tai Yai (Shan), Karen, Lahu, Akha, Yao/Mien, Lisu, and Thai speakers of Central Thai and Northern Thai (Kham Muang) dialects. Religious affiliations include practitioners of Theravada Buddhism at provincial temples such as Wat Phra That Thai Ton and Wat Bot, as well as adherents of Christianity among hill tribes and Animism traditions linked to ethnic groups. Census and survey work by the National Statistical Office (Thailand) and humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reflect seasonal migration, cross-border labor flows to Mae Sot industrial zones, and refugee populations in camps like those monitored under UNHCR frameworks. Education institutions include campuses affiliated with Mahidol, regional colleges, and technical institutes under the aegis of the Office of the Vocational Education Commission.
Economic activity centers on agriculture—rice cultivation in the Mae Sot plain and cash crops such as corn, cassava, and fruit orchards supplying markets in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Forestry products have historically included teak linked to the colonial-era East India Company-era logging routes and contemporary sustainable forestry programs coordinated by the Royal Forest Department. Cross-border trade through Mae Sot customs checkpoints supports garments and manufacturing supply chains connected to Global Value Chains in textiles for exporters working with International Labour Organization-guided standards. Hydropower feasibility studies have been undertaken with consultancy from Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and foreign partners; small-scale renewable projects include solar farms tied to the provincial grid managed by Provincial Electricity Authority. Tourism, often eco- and community-based, contributes via trekking operators registered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and conservancies collaborating with World Wildlife Fund and regional NGOs.
The provincial administration follows the structure established by the Ministry of Interior (Thailand), comprising districts such as Mueang Tak District, Mae Sot District, Mae Ramat District, and Ban Tak District. Local governance includes municipal bodies like Tak Municipality and tambon administrative organizations coordinated with national agencies including the Department of Provincial Administration. Law enforcement and public security involve provincial offices of the Royal Thai Police and coordination with border agencies such as the Immigration Bureau and Customs Department at the Mae Sot–Myawaddy Friendship Bridge. Health services are provided by provincial hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health (Thailand) network, while development planning interfaces with Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council programs.
Cultural life features festivals rooted in Loi Krathong and Songkran celebrations at temples like Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu and local variants such as the Tak Elephant Festival and harvest rites observed by hill tribes. Folk arts include lanna-influenced music, bamboo weaving traditions linked to Karen crafts, and communal rituals for animist practices mediated by village elders. Cultural preservation projects have partnerships with the Southeast Asian Studies programs at regional universities and NGOs like UNESCO on intangible heritage safeguarding. Culinary specialties reflect regional produce: northern-style khao soi, riverine fish dishes associated with the Ping River, and hill-tribe herbal remedies cataloged in provincial health surveys.
Visitors are drawn to Mae Sot border markets, the waterfalls of Namtok Thi Lo Su (within reach via western corridors), and trekking circuits into Doi Phu Kha National Park-adjacent highlands. Historical sites include city gates and forts dating to the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin Kingdom periods, while nature trails traverse dry dipterocarp forest and evergreen mosaics protected by Wildlife Conservation Society collaborations. Cultural tourism includes homestays in villages of Karen and Shan, visits to bamboo craft centers, and festivals promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Ecotourism itineraries often link to birdwatching at riparian wetlands important for species monitored by BirdLife International and riverine conservation initiatives supported by Ramsar Convention reporting.