Thi Lo Su Waterfall at Umphang National Park
Thi Lo Su waterfall is at its most beautiful during the rainy season
Elephant riding an essential part of eco-tourism in Umphang and the major source of income for the Karen people
Before loading the elephants, the mahout will lead them for a refreshing dip in the brook
Kia Jiew (Curcuma Roscoeana), in dazzling colours, springing from subterranean roots to generously decorate the forest floor during the rainy season
|
Tak is the central province for development of Northern Thailand, also being the communication center of the North having an Asian Highway passing through Myanma-Thai border into Thailand at Mae Sot District,
Sukhothai, Phitsanulok towards Northeastern Thailand entering Loas at Chong Mek pass of Ubon Ratchathani.
Tak is the site of Bhumibol Dam, the largest in Thailand. Covering an area of 16,406.6 square kilometers. Tak is located 426 kms. from Bangkok.
Umphang National Park
Today, Umphang is one of eight districts in Tak province, a landlocked part of the Tano Thongchai mountain ranges, with only one access road from Mae Sot district, is also a border district adjoining Myanmar. It is about 249 kilometers from the provincial city along the Highway 105, the Tak - Mae Sot route, with a turn to the Mae Sot - Umphang Highway (Highway 105). The road meanders through mountainous area to Umphang District.
Another former Karen settlement, the district was later inhabited by migrant people from northern Thailand. Nowadays, Umphang District is renowned for its challenging activities like jungle trek and rafting thanks to its intact nature.
Umphang is well-known among tourists interested in nature tours. The area enjoys its fame as a result of the numerous dense strips of tropical evergreen forests, mixed decidous and deciduous dipterocarps forest. Moreover, Umphang is located within the Indo-Burma and Indo-China Wildlife Buffer Zone, which is home to a large variety of wild animals.
Rare birds, including the hornbill Aceros nipalensis and the near - extinct Cairina scutulala - a species of large duck - may also be spotted in this region. As a result of its uniqueness the area was proclaimed the Umphang Wildlife Conservation Area in 1989.
Umphang is also connected with the Tung Yai Naraesuan - Huai Kha Khang Wildlife Conservation Area and Klong Larn-Mae Wong National Park, making it part of the Largest Western forest area in Southeast Asia. Here exist the sources of the major waterways for the western provinces of Thailand including the rivers Mae Chan, Huai Umphang, Huai Ka Lo Tor and most particularly, the Mae Klong river.
There is reference in Thai history that, in olden days, Umphang used to be a frontier district in the western part of Thailand. Almost all the inhabitants are Karen with a few northern Thai who migrated there later. Because Umphang is on the Burmese border, there is a check-point to inspect inbound Burmese traders.
"Umphang" is adapted from a Karen word "Umpha", which translates as a border pass to be stamped by immigration officials. In the past this document was folded and put inside a bamboo cane and closed tightly to prevent damage during travelling, particularly during the rainy season. Today, rubber boats and canoes have replaced the bamboo rafts used on the rivers. This is one of the conservation strategies being applied quite successfully as part of the eco-tourism of the region.
|
:
[ HOME ]
[ THAILAND ]
[ MY KING ]
[ INDEX ]