Getting to Tak is relatively easy as long as you don't mind travelling by bus. There is no airport and the nearest train station is in Phitsanulok, about 80 km from Tak. Buses leave Bangkok's Mo Chit or northern terminal regularly and shouldn't cost more than 300 baht for an airconditioned bus. It will take about 7 hours but allow for those unforseen 'Thai' hiccups and expect lots of stops at shops etc. Once you get there if you want to walk to the town centre its about a 10 minute walk, about 20 minutes to the Viang Tak, get a samlaw so as to avoid Tak's horrendously aggressive at night feral dog population.
By plane
There is no direct flight to Tak. Thai Airways offers a flight between Bangkok and Phitsanulok. From Phitsanulok, take a bus trip to Tak. For more information, contact THAI, Tel. 1566, 0 2280 0060 and 0 2628 2000, or visit the website www.thaiairways.com
The Transport Company Limited and private operators offer air-conditioned and ordinary bus services between Amphoe Mae Sot Tak to Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Amphoe Lom Sak Phetchabun, Lampang, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Amphoe Mae Sai Chiang Rai, Amphoe Chum Phae Khon Kaen, and Amphoe Bo Rai Chanthaburi. For further information, contact Tak Provincial Bus Terminal, Tel. 0 5551 1057; Mae Sot Bus Terminal, Tel. 0 5553 2949; and Thai Phatthanakit Khonsong Company on Intharakhiri Road, Amphoe Mae Sot, plying between Mae Sot â Chiang Rai â Mae Sai, Tel. 0 5553 2331.
By car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 Phahonyothin Road and switch to Highway No. 32 Asian Highway. Drive through Pratu Nam Phra-in, Phra Nakhon S.i Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, and Chai Nat. After arriving in Nakhon Sawan, turn left to Highway No. 1. Travel through Kamphaeng Phet and head for Tak. The total distance of 426 kilometres takes around 5 hours.
By bus
The Transport Company Limited offers a daily bus service between Bangkok and Tak during 05.30 â 13.00 hrs. and 16.30 â 22.00 hrs., and between Bangkok and Mae Sot during 08.00 â 19.00 hrs. For further information, contact the Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal Chatuchak or Mo Chit Mai, Tel. 0 2936 2852 â 66, or visit the website www.transport.co.th. For a private bus between Bangkok and Tak during 09.30 â 22.00 hrs., and between Bangkok and Mae Sot at 22.00 hrs., contact Than Chit Tour, Tel. 0 5551 1307 or Bangkok office Tel. 0 2936 3210 â 13. For the service between Bangkok and Tak during 12.30 â 22.00 hrs., and between Bangkok and Mae Sot at 22.15 hrs., contact Choet Chai Tour, Tel. 0 5551 1054, 0 5551 1057 or Bangkok office Tel. 0 2936 0199.