Doi Inthanon National Park

A visit to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand, should be on the itinerary of any tourist that loves to view tropical flora or is an avid birdwather. The climate near the top is cool and moist most of the year. A perfect setting for the more than 350 species of birds that nest in the park. It is quite possible that there are additional species of birds in the park which have not yet been identified. November through February is the best time to bird watch, there are very few rainy days that time of year and the temperatures make it easy to spend a few hours hiking in the woods. For more information about birdwatching in Doi Inthanon Park, visit the Park Headquarters near the 30 km marker on your way to the summit.

For those of us who are not avid birdwatchers, a visit to Doi Inthanon can still be a fun day trip. There are various waterfalls throughout the park and the hiking is a great way to get over any jetlag you may experience after your arrival in Thailand. Hiking guides for the area around Doi Inthanon can be picked up at the Park headquarters.

The name of the mountain used to be Doi Angka, but it was changed to Doi Inthanon to honor the last great King of Chiang Mai. King Inthawichayanon cared very much for the natural resources in Northern Thailand. After his death, he was buried close to the summit on Doi Inthanon. Many Thai nationals travel Doi Inthanon National Park each year to honor King Inthawichayanon.

The 2565 meter summit of Doi Inthanon is cool all year round and it is not unusual for temperatures to dip below freezing during the cold season. January is the coldest month when the average nightime temperature falls to 5.5 degrees Celsius. The rain at the summit typically exceeds 2500mm per year which is much more than the normal rainfall in Chiang Mai. The heavy moisture is instrumental in maintaining the high elevation rain forest which makes up Doi Inthanon.

There are several waterfalls within the park, but three are of interest to international tourists. The Mae Ya Waterfall is the largest falls in Thailand. During the rainy season the falls become quite violent as the water cascades over the rocks. We visited the falls at the peak of rainy season and had to be very cautious as we followed the trail to the base of the falls. The Mae Ya falls can be visited on the way to the park or after you visit the summit of Doi Inthanon. Although it is within the boundary of Doi Inthanon National Park, the turn off for the falls is several kilometers before you reach the main entrance to the park.

Vachiratharn waterfall is just off the road to the summit at kilometer 21. Watch for signs and turn of the main road as you ascend or descend the road to the summit of Doi Inthanon. During rainy season the falls can be quite full and the spray from the falls is a refreshing relief from the summer heat. There are a few nice restaurants and rest rooms just off the parking lot. If your family is ready for a meal, stop to view the falls and grab a bite to eat.

The admission fee to Thailand national parks is rather expensive for tourists. The entrance fee used to be 400 baht for all foreignors. However, Thailand has recently reduced the entrance fee to 200 baht for most national parks. I have not been to the park for over a year, but I hear that the admission fee for Doi Inthanon National Park is 200 baht per adult. Children under 14 are charged 100 baht. If you hire a van or taxi to take you to the park, your driver may be able to negotiate a lower fee. The fee for Thai nationals and residents is significantly less than the fee for tourists.

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