Doi Inthanon National Park

Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon National Park covers the areas of Sanpatong District, Chomthong District, Mae Chaem
District Mae Wang District, and Toi Lor Sub-district of Chiang Mai Province within an approximate area of 482 square kilometers. The National Park consists of high mountains, including Doi Inthanon, which is the highest mountaintop in Thailand and the source of many rivers such as Ping River, where the Bhumipol Dam is situated and generating the electrical power. The National Park has beautiful natural scenery such as waterfalls, particularly Mae Ya Waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand.

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แต่เดิมดอยอินทนนท์มีชื่อว่า “ดอยหลวง” หรือ “ดอยอ่างกา” คำว่า ดอยหลวง หมายถึง
ภูเขาที่มีขนาดใหญ่ ส่วนที่เรียกว่าดอยอ่างกานั้น มีเรื่องเล่าว่า ห่างจากดอยอินทนนท์ไปทางทิศตะวันตก 300 เมตร
มีหนองน้ำอยู่แห่งหนึ่งลักษณะเหมือนอ่างน้ำ แต่ก่อนนี้มีฝูงกาลงไปเล่นน้ำกันมากมาย
จึงเรียกว่า อ่างกา ต่อมาจึงรวมเรียกว่า “ดอยอ่างกา” เมื่อครั้งที่พื้นที่ป่าไม้ทางภาคเหนือ
ยังอยู่ในความควบคุมของเจ้าผู้ครอบครองนครต่างๆ นั้นในสมัยพระเจ้าอินทรวิชยานนท์เป็นเจ้าผู้ครองนครเชียงใหม่
พระองค์เป็นผู้ที่เห็นความสำคัญของป่าไม้เป็นอันมาก โดยเฉพาะ “ดอยหลวง” พระองค์มีความหวงแหนเป็นพิเศษ ขณะที่ยังมีพระชนม์อยู่ได้สั่งไว้ว่า หากสิ้นพระชนม์ไปแล้วก็ขอให้แบ่งเอาอัฐิส่วนหนึ่งไปบรรจุไว้บนยอดดอยหลวงด้วย ต่อมาคำว่าดอยหลวงก็ถูกเปลี่ยนเป็น “ดอยอินทนนท์” ตามพระนามของเจ้าผู้ครองนครนั้น และเมื่อขึ้นไปบนยอดเขาสูงนี้ จะเห็นสถูปบรรจุพระอัฐิของพระเจ้าอินทรวิชยานนท์ประดิษฐานอยู่ มีพื้นที่ทั้งหมดประมาณ 482 ตารางกิโลเมตร ครอบคลุมพื้นที่อำเภอแม่แจ่ม อำเภอจอมทอง และอำเภอสันป่าตอง จังหวัดเชียงใหม่
สภาพภูมิประเทศเป็นเทือกเขาสลับซับซ้อนมีความสูงตั้งแต่ 400-2,565 เมตรจากระดับน้ำทะเล สภาพป่ามีหลายประเภททั้ง ป่าเต็งรัง ป่าเบญจพรรณ ป่าดิบแล้ง และป่าดิบเขา โดยเฉพาะป่าดิบเขาบนยอดดอยสูงสุด

Historically
the mountain of Doi Inthanon was refered to as Doi Ang Ka.
Prince Intharawichayanon, the last ruler of Chiang Mai, realized the importance
of the country’s forests, especially in the north, where the forest serve as the
watershed for the country. He was interested in helping and supporting people
who were investigating the history in his area. So he requested that his body
must be placed on the summit of Doi Ang Ka. After his death, the mountain was
renamed Inthanon, a short version of his name. Today, visitors can see the
Inthanon Wichayanon stupa on the summit of Doi Ang Ka.

Weather Condition
Since the National Park is located at 2,565 meters above
the sea level, it has cold weather and high humidity throughout the year,
particularly on the top of the National Park. In winter, the temperature at the
National Park is below 0„ac. And in summer, despite hot weather in central
Chiang Mai and nearby districts, it is still freezing on the top of Doi Inthanon
and tourists should be prepared with thick clothes.

Varieties of Plants and Wild Animals
The forest in the park is one of the
country’s very significance and valuable heritage. Forests include Moist
Evergreen Forest, Pine forest and Mixed Deciduous Forest, worth in economic like
teak and mountain pine. Dipterocarp spp. Xylia xylocarpa, Pterocarpus,
macrocapus Terminalia sp. and Lagerstroemia sp. to name a few. In addition to
these, there are many beautiful flowers including vanda orchid, phycastylis and
rhododendron. Sphagnum Moss and osmanda fern are found at higher levels in the
park. fifty years ago, the mountain peaks were home of hill tribe people. The
biggest village was Ban Khun Klang, whose agriculture method was often
destructive to the forest ecosystem. Currently the several Royal Projects,
assists the villagers in growing cold-climate fruit such as strawberries, grapes
and apples as well as flowers. The number of wild animals in the park is
decreasing the encroachment. The animals are hunted and their habitats are
destroyed for agriculture. The remaining animals include serpent, gibbons,
tigers, deer, wild boars, Siamese hares and Red Jungle fowls.
Because of its
broad altitudinal range and the cool climate of its upper reaches, the park
supports the largest number of bird species of any site in Thailand. The Center
for Wildlife Research at Mahidol University records a present total of 362
species and expects addition many at the summit are migrants from northern Asia.
Species restricted to Doi Inthanon are Ashy-throated Warbler and an endemic race
of the Green-tailed Sunbird; the park is the only site where the
Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush and the Yellow-bellied Flower pecker are known to
over summer and probably breed.
Mae Klang Waterfall Mae Klang Waterfall is
located in the east of the National Park, approximately 8 kilometers away from
Chom Thong - Doi Inthanon Road, then make a left hand turn for 1 kilometer until
reaching the Waterfall. This waterfall is very popular among Thai and foreigners
who come to swim, picnic and relax. The rapid stream and waterfall spill over
the area produce cool and pleasant for visitors.


Mae Ya Waterfall
Mae Ya Waterfall is a large waterfall of 260 meters high, located in the south
of the National Park. The Waterfall originated in Mae Ya Gully. Many tourists
claimed that the Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand
since the Waterfall is like a combination of different waterfalls. The Waterfall
can be accessed from the right hand side of Chomthong-Hod Road, then, follow the
guide posts.


Siriphum Waterfall The Waterfall was formerly called
“Lao Lee Waterfall”, which was named after the headman of a nearby tribesman
village. After that Mr.Ror.Vor. Jakthong Thongyai, a former Minister of
Agriculture and Cooperatives, named the Waterfall “Siriphum” to enhance the
prestige of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. The Waterfall is
located near km 31, Chomthong-Doi Inthanon Raod


Vachiratharn
Waterfall Vachiratharn Waterfall (or “Muangyong Waterfall”) is a 70-meter-high
waterfall, having originated in Mae Klang Gully and being located near km 22,
Chomthong-Doi Inthanon Raod. At the Waterfall, there are many caves; and the
most beautiful one is Borijinda Cave, a large cave with stalactite and
stalagmite, located in the east of the National Park.


Summit of Doi
Inthanon Summit of Doi Inthanon offers fine views to visitors, especially during
November and December. On the summit, there is a stupa containing the body of
prince Intharawichayonon, whose chronicle placed on the back of the marble
plaque nearby. However photographing any parts of the radar station s forbidden.


Brichinda Cave This impressive limestone cave has a gigantic
entrance camber and tower and a scene huge chamber with a skylight opening to
the surface. This cave has a medium-size, which has beautiful stalagmite, is
situated in the middle of deciduous forest. It takes about one hour walk from
the main road.


View Point and Phra Mahathat Chedi At Km. 41 of
Chomthong-Doi Inthanon Road, there are Phra Mahathat Chedi Nophamethanidol and
Phra Mahathat Noppholbhumisiri built for presenting to His Majesty the King and
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit by Thai Air Force.

Wang Kwai Waterfall This
waterfall has cold pleasant water which is suitable for swimming. Visitors can
take route 00, Chiang Mai - Hod, turn right to route 00, Chom Tong - Doi
Inthanon at 58 km. and proceed for another 9.7 km.

Siritan Waterfall
This waterfall is 81 km. from Chiang Mai. Take the route 108, Chiang Mai - Hod
and turn left at 58 th km. and continue on Chomg Tong - Doi Intanon for 23 km.
you will reach Siritan Waterfall. The 100 meters trail in the Montain Rainforest
will brighten up your day.

Bird Watching km.38

Mae Pang
Waterfall Group Mae Pan Waterfall at Km. 6.6 on the Mae Chaem road is the
turn-off to Mae Pan Waterfall. The laterite access road descends about two
kilometers to the Mae Chaem Ranger Station and campground, and is suitable for
any vehicle although the road can be slippery on the uphill after a heavy rain.
The area is quiet, of the beaten track, and can be described as the backcountry
of Doi Inthanon Park. It offers a rewarding loop hike of 1 to 2 hours through
untouched terrain with small waterfalls and tumbling creeks along most of the
route. You can walk along the whole loop since it is largely unmarked, but any
visitor can walk the 800 meters to Mae Pan Falls and back again, as wall as the
200 meters to Huay Sai Luaeng Falls (just beyond the campground).


Pha Ngam Noi

Culture and Tradition
Khun Ya Noi Hmong Village

Ban Mae Ab Nai Karen Village

Nature Education
Kaew Mae Pang Nature Trail Kio Mae Pan Trail one of the most beautiful and rewarding walks in the park is a new trail, which begins a short distance up the main summit road from Napamaytanidol. The path leads for a kilometer or more through dense, moist evergreen forest, then emerges and follows the top of a steep slope bordering the canyoned headwaters of the Mae Pan river. Dotted with red rhododendron, the trail proceeds southward for another kilometer with fine, open views to the west, then re-enters the forest and eventually terminates at Napamaytanidol Chedi. Two hours would allow a leisurely walk with camera stops.

Inthanon Royal Project
Yod Doi - Siriphum Waterfall Nature Trail The hiking to discover the natural forest is one of the most interesting activities and this gives visitors a chance to touch the nature closely.

Brichinda Cave Nature Trail The hiking to discover the natural forest is one of the most interesting activities and this gives visitors a chance to touch the nature closely.

Ban Sop Had - Ban Mae Klang Luang Nature Trail The hiking to discover the natural forest is one of the most interesting activities and this gives visitors a chance to touch the nature closely.

Pha Wan Kaew - Vachiratharn Waterfall - Ban Sop Had Nature Trail The hiking to discover the natural forest is one of the most interesting activities and this gives visitors a chance to touch the nature closely.

Km.38 - Siriphum Waterfall Nature Trail The hiking to discover the natural forest is one of the most interesting activities and this gives visitors a chance to touch the nature closely.

Pang Sadet - Pha Mon Nature Trail The hiking to discover the natural forest is one of the most interesting activities and this gives visitors a chance to touch the nature closely.

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