Famous Historical places of Thailand

 
"Doi Inthanon...Siam's highest peak "

[story by Tasanee Yawaprapas; photo by Vatcharachal Ttiaroon, Dusadee Hemsirtat from Kinnaree Magazine, December 1999, p122 - 126]


Ironically, 1,250 years ago, Doi Inthanon was an ird and freezing area-part of the Himalayas. No doubt, Doi Inthanon is influenced by cold weather. The temperature on the highest peak in Thailand in mid December are around two degrees Celsius. Here, the highest temperature is never higher than seven degrees Celaius, often going as low as zero. At times, icicles on the mountain tell of temperature as low as minus eight degree Celsius. Doi Inthanon National Park is clearly a place for nature lovers. In 1987, the Royal Air Force, along with civilians, built a huge pagoda called Phra Mahadhat Noppamethaneedol to mark the 5th cycle birthday of His Majesty the King. In 1992, Phra Mahadhat Noppapol-Bhumisiri was built to mark the 5th cycle birthday of Her Majesty the Queen Both pagodas, housing holy relics and Buddha images, stand on dodecacathedral bases, each with two levels of balconies. Surrounding areas are landscaped with decorative flowers that display bright, healthy coloring in wintertime.

 

Phra Mahadhat Noppamethaneedol, dedicated to His Majesty the King

Phra Mahadhat Noppapol-Bhumisiri, dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen
At one time, the largest life-sustenance basin was known as Aang-Ka or Aang-Ka-Luang. Thanks are due to Chao Inthavitchayanon, the seventh king of Chiang Mai (1873 - 1897). who ws extremely passionate about the forests around this area. He demanded that his ashes remain at Doi Aang Ka Luang after his demise.

After Chao Inthavichayanon passed away in 1897, his daughter, Chao Dararasamee, a royal consort of king Rama V, took her father's ashes to Doi Aang Ka Luang. It was a rugged journey to the mountain. Consequently,, only a few bits of rock could be piled together to form a stupa on top os the ashes. In memory of her father, the name of place was changed to Doi Inthanon.


Sphagnum Moss and other rare moss, exclusive to Aang Ka

Siribhume waterfall

Mae Ya waterfall
An important source of watersheds, Doi Inthanon spawned several waterfalls. Mae Ya waterfall, the biggest waterfall that cascades from an awesome height of two hundred and eighty meters. Falling like layers of curtain, the water that gathers below becomes another waterfall known as Mae Klang Waterfall, the best known waterfall in Chiang Mai.
Siribhume Waterfall was formerly"lao-Lee," named after the nearby Lao-Lee Hmong village. This is another breathing waterfall with waters gushing over a steep cliff.

Aang Ka nature trail
 Doi Inthanon is a fertile forest of shorea woods, deciduous trees and montane forest covered with moss and orchids, pine trees and prairie.The treetops may not be so high, but the trees are quite dense.This dense forest, and its ability to absorb moisture from clouds as well as the mist that forever blankets this area, has won its titles of misty forest and rain forest. No doubt, this montane forest is a green landscape all year round with watersheds feeding the valley below.

The beautiful scenery viewed from the two pagodas
Moreover, 382 different species of birds out of a total of 942 species found in Thailand have made their happy homes at Doi Inthanon. Making Doi Inthanon a natural bird-watchers paradise. The nectarinildae, a little bird found only in Thailand, and the Grey-necked wrens are found in Doi Inthanon-the only place where this bird can be seen in Thailand.