Doi Inthanon, the summit of Thailand

Doi Inthanon is best known as the highest mountain of Thailand at the elevation of 2,565 meters above sea level. Nowadays, Doi Inthanon has become an increasingly booming tourist attraction of Chiang Mai.

Up on this hill there is not only magnificent scenery, lush beautiful forests, and comfortably cool weather, but also hundreds of species of wildlife and birds to study and preserve.

Doi Inthanon National Park general

Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of 1,005 sq.km. on Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain which is 2,565 above sea level. In old days it used to be a conservation area until it was declared the 6th national park of Thailand on October 2nd, 1972. After that on January 16th , 1674, His Majesty King Bhumibol and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit paid a visit to this park and advised that the national park area should be Therefore, from then on until today, Doi Inthanon National Park also covers as area in Mae Na Jon, Ban Chang Keng, and Tha Pha sub-districts in Mae Chaem, and Yang Kram, Ban Luang, Sob Tia sub-districts in Chom Thong districts.

Due to the very high elevation, the weather on the top of Doi Inthanon is generally cool and comfortable all year round, with an exception of cold season when it is freezing cold. Ranges of mountains of Doi Inthanon give birth to many tributaries of Ping River and formed many beautiful waterfalls, namely Siriphum, Wachirathan, Mae Pan, Mae Klang and Mae Ya Waterfalls. The dense evergreen forest is abundant with lichens and wild orchids and is also one of the largest bird feeding grounds of for thousands of travelers who look for a fantastic retreat in the middle of pristine natural settings.

Attractions of Doi Inthanon National Park

- Brijinda Cave (Km 8.5)
- Doi Inthanon Rayal Project Research Station
- Beauty Spot (km 41)
- Phra Mahathat Noppamethanidol and Phra Mahathat Nopponphumsiri (km 41)
- Yod Doi, the Roof of Thailand
- Other attraction of Doi Inthanon is Waterfalls, example Mae Ya waterfall is one of largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand. Get more information Click here

Location of Doi Inthanon

The national park office is at the km marker 57 on highway 108. The park covers an area in Chom Thong district, Mae Chaem district, and San Pa Tong district in Chiang Mai.

Recommended Accommodations

Apart from the lodging houses and tent ground of the national park, there are plenty of private resorts and hotels around the km 7 on Chom Thong-Inthanon Road.

How to go there

- From Chiang Mai town, take highway 108 in the direction to Chom Thong district, and then turn right at the km marker 57 into Highway 1009. The national park office is at the km marker 31.
- Chiang Mai-Jomthong route
The minibus leaves Chiang Mai gate bus station every 30 minutes from 06.00 am to 05.00 pm. The journey takes around 1 hour and the fee is 15 Baht.
- The minibus leaves to Doi Inthanon National Park from 08.00 am to 05.00 pm. The bus fee is 20 Baht.
- Jomthong-mae Jam Route
The minibus starts from Phrathat Si Jomthong Temple to the national park office. The bus fee is 25 Baht.
Tourists could also hire a whole minibus from Jomthong district to Doi Inthanon, the price depends on the amount of passengers and duration (Entrance fee to the national park not included).

Source : Trips Magazine (Vol.10, No.111)