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DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK
Approximately 60 km from Chiang Mai is the Doi Inthanon National Park. This national park is named after one of the last kings of Chiang Mai.
The Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand (2,565 meters), located in a natural park of about 500 km2. Nowhere else in Thailand it reaches as high as here. On the Doi Inthanon it even freezes once in a while. Yes, you read it well, temperatures below zero degrees in Thailand! When you visit the highest mountain of Thailand you can also visit small villages of the Karen or Hmong tribes. These are both Thai mountain people and they really like it when you visit their souvenir stalls as a tourist.
PLEASE NOTE!
Between November and February it can be very cold in this region, so we advise you to bring or put on warm clothing (at least bring a vest).
King Inthanon
As described above, Thailand’s highest mountain was named after King Inthanon. This king was very much in favor of nature conservation and therefore they chose to name the park and the mountain after him. His ashes were placed in a memorial on the Doi Inthanon after his death in 1897. This memorial can be found near the sign indicating that this place is the highest point of Thailand.
The two stupas in the Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon National Park is also home to two stupas in honour of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit all surrounded by rhododendrons (type of flowers), among other nature. The brown stupa is for the king and the light blue one for the queen. The location where both stupas are located is ideal for beautiful views. For example, when the weather is clear in the west, you even can see the mountains of Myanmar.
Nature in the Doi Inthanon National Park
In addition to the man-made temples, there are of course many natural attractions to be found on the mountain and in the Doi Inthanon National Park. In the park there are two waterfalls called the Wachirathan waterfall and the Siritharn waterfall. It is said that in this park there are around 380 animal species and the second place in terms of the number of bird species in Thailand. And if you are a lover of flora and fauna then we advise you to take the Ang Ka nature trail which runs through this national park.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can also camp in the Doi Inthanon National Park. The easiest way to do this is via a site where you can book more campsites in Thailand. The price for a two person tent is around 300 baht including mats, cushions etc.
DID YOU KNOW?
Through Thailand Magazine you can book a variety of tours from Chiang Mai to the Doi Inthanon at a discount. Send us an email (info@) or contact us through our social media channels. You can also add yourself to the Chiang Mai WhatsApp Group and ask for information in English.
Information Doi Inthanon National Park
Open: Daily from 08:00 – 17:00
Entrance: 300 baht
Address: 2 Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50160
Route: It is best to charter someone with a car or see if tours are organized in Chiang Mai at that time. The park can be reached by car from Chiang Mai within 2 to 3 hours.