Buddhist
sanctuary covered with gold.
Tak is the second largest province of northern region
after Chiang Mai and is home to various hill tribes, with the Mae Ping River
coursing through the province. The Moei is a river in the Mae Sod district
that separates the province from Burma and is a center for border trade
between the Thai and Burmese people living in the locality.
Visitors to Tak Province will enjoy the shady atmosphere
and shopping there and should certainly not miss a tour round the King Tak
Sin Maharaj Shrine on Jarod Withi Thong Road, believed by many to bring good
luck. This shrine was initially set up on Doi Wat Khao Kaew hill, opposite
the city and later in 1957, local residents considered that place to be
unworthy of its honor so the shrine was moved and rebuilt in its present
location. The statue of King Tak Sin Maharaj is a little larger than
life-size, sitting on a throne.
A
statue of King Tak Sin Maharaj sitting on a throne.
But for budding geologists, the best reason to visit Tak
Province is take a trip to the Stone Tree Fossils Park. There, a giant Iron
Wood fossil was discovered in November, 2003 which has been accurately
proved to be 800,000 years old. It is still in very good shape and measures
4.30 meters in diameter at its base and 3 meters in the middle. This stone
tree is a kind of fossil that occurred naturally when the tree became
immersed in underground water and sediment. The water, which carried a high
silica content, eventually permeated the whole tree over millennia, slowly
turning it to stone. The stone tree is an important key that gives people
the means of looking into the past and discover the history of the biology
of that age; also providing a glimpse into the worlds’ evolution, so the
fossil is a precious natural source of information for academics and
tourists alike. Furthermore, it is an important part of the heritage of the
country and these seven stone trees bring the total of fossilized trees
discovered in Thailand, to 20.
Chao
Pho Phawo Shrine.
If visitors continue their trip along the Tak-Mae Sod
Road they will find it well worth their while to stay overnight at Tak Sin
Maharaj National Park to experience the beautiful scenery and cool weather
which prevails throughout the whole year. The park gives the opportunity for
nature-lovers to study the world biggest Krabak Tree set in a bountiful
bio-environment. Visitors are able to worship at the Chao Pho Phawo Shrine
that is located in the area near the site of the Mae Lamao battlefield. The
shrine is set up on Phawo hill on the Tak-Mae Sod Road and is greatly
respected by people who live in Tak province, especially by Mae Sod
residents. It is said that Chao Pho Phawo was a Karen knight appointed by
King Naresuan to watch over Mae Lamao point to prevent incursion by the
enemy. At a certain place on the Tak-Mae Sod Road, people can experience a
magical phenomenon which initially defies logical explanation. If a car is
parked on that certain spot with the engine switched off and the handbrake
off, the vehicle will eerily move ‘uphill’ of its own volition. The road
actually does fall gently downhill causing the car to roll forward, but
visually it looks as if the road ahead is rising and you should be rolling
backwards.
One more interesting place worth a visit is Wat Photikhun. This temple is
one of the most beautiful examples of Lanna architecture, created by artists
who had spent 18 years to create the beautiful temple in which to worship
the Lord Buddha. The Buddhist sanctuary in this temple is on three floors
and from a distance looks like a large ship and is liberally covered with
gold.
King Tak
Sin Maharaj Shrine.
Wat
Photikhun.
A Guide
showing pictures of the first stone tree fossil discovery in November, 2003.
Worlds’
oldest Iron Wood tree fossil.
Smaller
fossils discovered around the location.
Large
Mae Ping River in Tak Province.
Tourists
favor to stay overnight in Tak Sin Maharaj National Park.
Viewpoint
in Tak Sin Maharaj National Park.