Introduction Umphang, a district of Tak province, is locateed on the western border of Thailand and Myanmar. The area is very mountainous, and there is only a route entering and leaving from Maesot district. Eevery part of Umphang is a centre of ecotourism : for example, major water sources can be found here. It is also part of a World Heritage Site.The way of life of the Karen hilltribe people, who keep elephants as a means of transportation, can be seen in Umphang district. These people live close to nature. Consequently, they have helped in the establishing of the ecotourism business; for example, trekking, rafting, elephant ridding, nature watching and Tee Lor Sue waterfall biggest in Thailand, etc. As such, these activities help to make this area a potential for ecotourism.Umphang is one of eight districts in Tak Province, locate on the bank of Meaklong river, 249 km.from Tak province. It is next to Phobphra dictrict, in the north and Kanchanaburi province, in the south. Kampaengphet, Nakhonsawan and U-thai Thani province, in the East and Myanmar is on the west.Umphang is the largest district of Thailand with an area of 4,325,383 sgkm. Plenty of dark forest and its the original of Maeklong river, 97% is mountainous, only 3% is plant. Backgroud Umphang, the main district on the route to and from the western border of Thailand and Myanmar,was originally inhabited by Karen hilltribe people. Later, the Thai people migrated from the north to come settle here permanently. It is also a place where the Myanmar have come to sell goods in Thailand. The border authorities in spect the documents for the Bermess to cross the border. In the past, the people carried the documents in a bamboo container to help protect them from the rain as well as were and tear while travelling for many months in the forest. When they come to Umphang the Bermess would then open the container to show the documents for inspection. This document know in Karen language as Umpha was later changed to Umphang. The people finally come to settle at Ban Kui Leto, Tambon Mae Chan. Umphang district is divideed into 4 parts called Umphang, Mae Klong Mai, Mae Lamung and Mae Chan. Most of the population is made up of Karen hilltribe. There are some large villages; for example, Ban Palata, Ban Klota, Ban Mae Chan, Ban Tipochi and Ban Letongkhu. Topography Umphang district is the largest of a districts in Tak province that is locateed on the lifeside of the Mae Klong river. In the south-west of the province approximately 243 kms. from Tak. The total area is approximately 4,325,383 square kms. or 2,703,365 rai, and it is the widest district in Thailand. The north connects to Phopphra district, Tak province; the south adjoins Sangkhaburi and Sri Sawai district, Kanchanaburi province; the east connects to Klong Lan and Klong Khlung district, Kamphaeng Phet province as well as Latyang district, Nakhonsawan province, and Ban Rai district, Uthai Thani province; the west is part of the border with Myanmar. The whole area of Umphang is made up of undulating mountains. There is dense, thick forest, which is also part of a World Heritage Site; Thung Yai Narasuan and Huai Kha Khaeng. There are areas that are flat valleys and river basins. This area is the main source of many rivers and streams; for example, Mae Chan, Huai Mae Lamung, Huai Klotho, and especially the Mae Klong river that is found to feed the western part of the country. Climate There are 3 seasons similar to other parts of the north. The hot season is from March - May, and the maximum tempereture is approximately 39 C. The rainny season is from June - October. Umphang district receives a lot of rainfall because of the high mountains and the dense forest. The highest amount of measureed rainfall is 299.2 millimetres in July. The cool season is from November - February. The minimum temperature would be 2.5 C. during December. The Forest This part of the country comprises of high mountains; there fore, there is dense forest, which has a total area of approximately 1,914,494 rai. Also of importance in this area of rainforest is the many various apecies of life. The forest and wildlife in Umphang, which adjoins Thungyai Narasuan and Huai Khakhaeng forest, can be preserved in accordance with a declaration that it is a very important conservation area. This forestland area is part of the western Forest totalling an area of approximately 5.5 million rai and is the widest area in Southeast Asia. Therefore, The forest of Thungyai Narasuan and Huai Khakhaeng have been declared as World Heritage Site. The remain forestland is a buffer area that contain the source of the Mae Klong river, which originates in the Westerb forest. Most of the forest is virgin mountain forest comprising of Evergreen Forest and Deciduous Forest which is interspersed with teak, Iron Wood, Queen's flower, Dipterocarps, etc. Some of the species of plants are well know and can be found through out the area; for example, bamboo, and teak is found on the banks of the Mae Klong river. Orchid Tree is found on the 2 sides of the road to Ban Palata. Cycas and Phoenix Plam are found on the mountaintops. As well as these, There are orchid, wildflower, and many species of ferns; for example, Vanda coerulea, Dendrobium Spp., Slipper orchid and Maiden hair fern. Wildlife, Brids and Aquatic Life There are many species of wildlife of the Southeast Asia element; for example, monkeys, langurs, hornbills, tapir, as well as elephants, bears, tigers, seladang, deer, etc Additionally, there many endangered birds such as the 'White-winged Duck' at Lakato swamp. The Mae Klong river can be considered as a source of many kinds of rare freshwater fish. Advice For Visitors To Umphang Umphang district is fills with places of beautiful nature. Most of its area is vulnerable to destruction. The most suitable type of tourism for Umphang is an adventure tour. It is necessary for travellers to be aware of an to help preserve the environment of this tourist attraction. During weekends and holidays, many travellers enjoy their trip to Umphang, especially to see Thee Lor Sue Waterfall. However, there have been some problems : an over-population of tourists, management of waste, insufficient amount of toilet facilities, and damage of road access. The Royal Forest Department, the Umphang District Administration, the Umphang Ecotourism Club, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand [ TAT] have jointy set up the Coordination Committee on Umphang tourism promotion and preservation, and have drawn up the measures to protect the natural environment as described below : - 1. Tourist who wish to visit Umphang District Administration ought to be well-prepared by making contact in advance and learning about travel information. Since most tourist attractions are located in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, please seriously observe the regulations. 2. With regard to motor vehicles, it is suggested not to travel by car or van to reach the Thee Lor Sue waterfall because the rough and step road is too dangerous to drive on. Vehicles which cause disturbing noise and pollution are absolutely not allowed to enter the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. 3. To visit the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary of the Thee Lor Sue waterfall, tourist have to seek permission in advance. A permission from can be obtained from the Umphang Ecotourism Club. Each enter will be stamped by the Royal Forest department. Since this is not an area for tourism, you are allowed to visit only as a nature observer. 4. Due to the limitation of the carrying capacity of the Wildlife Sanctuary or the Thee Lor Sue waterfall, the Royal Forest Department, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Umphang District administration, and the Umphang Ecotourism Club have jointly controlled be number of tourists who wish to spend an overnight stay. For each night, 300 people are allowed to stay on the banks of the Thee Lor Sue waterfall and 100 people on the banks of the Mae...

What to bring trekking 1.Small Rucksack 2.Long Trousers 3.Kneelength Shorts 4.Pullover 5.Tennis Shoe/Hiking boots 6.Toileties 7.Short-Sleeved 8.T Shirts 9.Suncream 10.Under Wear 11.Insect Repellant 12.Swim Suit 13.Camera/Film 14.Towel/SarongTorch 15.Soap/Shampoo/Toothbrushpaste 16.Personal medicine 17.Reasonable fitness Very Important Please dress politely at all times. You are guests in the village. When washing wear a sarong to refrin you modesty and gain. The respect of the hilltribes be sensitive taking photographs. Do and Don't When in the hilltribe villages 1. Do not enter or knock at any hilltribe people?s door which has a fresh branch of tree hanging in front of house. This is a sign that the house is in middle of having a singnificant caremony such as giving birth to a new born baby or offering food to their guardian spirits. 2. Do not touch the sacred thing of the village or the holy thing in the hilltribe people?s house. The example are the Village gate, the gaint swing for some ceremony and male-or-female Akha?sdolls. Do not touch the spirit house of the village. Aslo, it is prohibited to touch their spirit shelf in the village. 3. Do not show affection between male and female in public. Most important, do not commit any sexual herassment with the village girl. 4. Do not naked while having a bathe or swimming in public. You should wear properly even when sleeping time. 5. Ask for permission before taking any photo of people, worship places or ceremonies. 6. If tourists violates the tribe?s rule, it is customarily for the tourist to pay a fine for thier doing thing wrong with the tribe?s spirit. 7. One important thing you should avoid is using narcotic in the hilltribe village. It is not only harmful but also unlawful. 8. If you would like to donate something, avoid an individual help to hilltribe people. The help should be for thier whole community such as donating medicine or money for the village fund and some educational things to school. Tips for elephant-ridding For some visitors, elephant-ridding is a new and exiting experience. To make your riding safe and more enjoyable, here are some tips. 1. Be obedient to the mahout?s direction. 2. Do not ride an elephant on your own. 3. Wear compact and comfortable dress, a pair of comfortable shoe, sunglasses, and a hat. 4. Normally, tourists often have trouble making thier balance on the elephant?s back, so, it is advisable not to be nervous. Relax and make yourself comfortable as you can with the rhythm of the elephant?s walking steps. And hole on to the safety rope or the string prepared on the back of the elephant. 5. Don?t make loud noises. The elephant gets frightened and mad. 6. For person with irrational persistent fear of heights, do not ride an elephant. 7. Get on or off the elephant, only at the place provided. And do follow the mahout?s direction. 8. Do not feed, tease or take photo of the elephant without a mahout?s control near by. When in the forest To preserve the environment-especially the forest, wildlife, and the beauty of nature-these are what good trekkers should do! 1. Do not throw anything which can easily get fire such as smoked ciragette. After cooking, make sure the fire has already been put off. 2. Do not cut, pick out or destory any leaf, flower, or tree. 3. Do not take anything, that belongs there, out of the forest. 4. Do not hunt for any wildlife. 5. Do not break limestones or draw anything on the wall of caves. 6. Do not litter. 7. Do not make loud noise in the forest. Leave only your footprint in the forest, and bring only beautiful memory and photo. When entering a religious place A number of special sections in the Thai law concorns religious offenses. These cover not only Buddhism, the religion of the majority of the people, but also other faiths represented in the kingdom. To avoid gaffes, here are a few basic tips on ?what to do and not? when visiting religious place: * Dress neatly. Don?t go shirtless, in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire. * It is all right to wear shoes while walking arould the compound of a buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. * Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or be touched by women or to accept anything from thier hands. If a women has to give anything to a monk or novice, she hand it to a men, who then presents it. In case of a women who want to present it with her hand, the monk or novice spreads out a piece of saffron robe or handkerchief infront of him, and a women lays down the material on the robe. * All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred objects. Hence, don?t climb up on one to take a photograp or do anything that might show lack of respect. * In a Muslim mosque, men should wear hats and women should be well covered with slacks or a long skirt, a long-sleeved blouse buttoned to the neck, and a scarf over the hair. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque. When in Thailand Thais believe the head to be the most sacred part of the body. Thus, refrain from tuuching a Thai on the head, even as a friendly gesture. The feet are also off limits. They are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. Remember to apologize if you accidentally step on someone?s foot (or touch their head). Don?t rest your feet or put your shoes on a table, and don?t stretch out your feet in anyone?s direction. This is particularly important in temples-don?t point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk. Thais feel very strongly about their religion, so don?t wear your beach clothes to a temple. Both women and men should cover their legs and their shoulders. Don?t allow children to climb over Buddha image. Always remove your shoes before entering. The traditional Thai greeting is not a handshake but a ?wai? where the hand are brought together in front of the chin. The youngers or lower-ranking person ?wai? frist. Displays of anger are ugly and a sign of a lack of self-control. So don?t lose your cool in an irritating situation. Anger won?t get you anywhere; rather, practise polite persistence. The Royal family is deeply respected and loved. Don?t speak ill of them even in jest. Displays of affection between the sexes in public are a ?no-no.? Personal hygiene and cleanliness are very important. Thais tend to dress very politely; long short in the hot climate are the norm. Don?t sunbathe topless. Thais are quite respectful of Westerners and you will probably get people trying out their English on you. Don?t be offened by questions about your age, salary and marital status. They don?t mean to be intrusive. Similarly, the greeting is often ?Hey, you!? from Thais who don?t know English. This is not an insult, rather, it is a translation from the polite ?you? in the Thai language. The common way of greeting someone in Thai is not ?How are you? but ?Where are you going?? rendered in Thai as ?Pai nai.? Answer with ?Pai Tee-o? (I?m going out). Finally, Thais realize you are a Westerner and oblivious to most of these customs. However you will be held in very high esteem if you attempt to follow the local customs. These is a word in the Thai language which is ?sanuk?. This word describes everything that is fun, enjoyable and give feeling of pleasure. This, combined with the phrase ?mai pen rai? - never mind - should remain in your mind during your stay in this country.