Tak is the central province of the development of northern Thailand
and is 426 km from Bangkok. A major communication centre of the north the Asian
Highway passing through Myanmar-Thai border at Amphoe Mae Sot, Sukhothai,
Phitsanulok towards north-eastern Thailand entering Laos at Chong Mek Pass of
Ubon Ratchathani.
The Tak capital is situated in the Ping River basin also the site of the
Bhumibol Dam, the largest in Thailand, covering an area of 16,406 km². Tak is
administratively divided into 8 Amphoes of Muang Tak, Ban Tak, Mae Ramat, Mae
Sot, Pho Phra, Sam Ngao, Tha Song Yang, Umphang and Wang Chao.
Most of the province is forested with mountainous regions that are excellent
for trekking. The region is also the centre of the smuggling industry, where all
sorts of illicit dealings have been going on especially in teak and opium
brought over the border from Myanmar (formally Burma).
The border location has brought in a mixture of Burmese and Karen influences
and around the Mae Sot region there are many Karen refugee camps, its residents
fled to escape the fighting between the Karen and the Burmese government troops.