Umphang Travel Guide

Umphang, Umpang or Um Phang is one of the eight districts of Tak province, located on the western border of Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). Umpang is the land of hills, forests, caves, river streams, wildlife, waterfalls and tribal culture. The region is inhabited by Karen, Thai, Shan and other minority ethnic tribes, you can see the way of life of the Karen people, who uses elephants as a way of transportation, as Karens were the early settlers here, many places has names in Karen Language

There are flights and air-conditioned buses from Chiang Mai or Bangkok to Mae Sot, buses from Chiang Mai takes about 7 hours and from Bangkok about 8 hours. Then, from Mae Sot, take a local bus to Umpang along the highway 1090, this 164 kilometers winding road on the hills has more than 1219 curves and can be a joy in itself; driving time is 4 to 5 hours. Another highway 1167, connect Umphang to Myanmar border. Rainy season is from May to November, there are heavy rains from July to October, since June until October unpaved roads can be tiresome. The best months to travel are from November to February. A good time for trekking is from February to May.

Umphang is located in the Eastern Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. The Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1991. The Thungyai Naresuan is made up of piled-up mountains, which are part of the Thanon Thongchai Mountain Range. Near Umpang is Umpang Wildlife Sanctuary, directly east of Umpang Wildlife Sanctuary is Mae Wong National Park and Khlong Lan National Park.

The forests near Umphang are home of numerous wildlife like wild elephants, tigers, apes, leopards, and many others. It is home also of many species of butterflies and birds including rare and colorfully hornbill. The area has major water sources and waterfalls; an important river in Umphang is Klong River; the local waterfall, Thi-Lo-Su (also Ti-Lo-Su or Tee Lo Su) is the largest waterfall of Thailand.