Doi Suthep-Pui used to be known as Doi Oi Chang. Its new name comes from the name of a hermit, Prarusiwasuthep who lived at Doi Suthep-Pui was a protected forest. In 1973, The Royal Forest Department decided that Doi Suthep and 13 other forest areas in the country should eventually be national parks. The Royal Forest Department sent Mr.Panya Boonsomboon to survey the area.

After that, the national park committed decided that only forest in good condition should be included in Doi Suthep-Pui National park and areas occupied by villagers should be excluded. In 1981, as the 24th national park of Thailand which encompasses 161.06 square kilometers. The following year, an additional 100 square kilometers were annexed to the park, bringing the total to 261.06 square kilometers.

Topography
Doi Suthep, Doi Buakha and Doi Pui are the three main peaks in the park. The highest peak, Doi Pui, rises to 1,685 meters above mean sea levels.

Climate
Because of the high altitude, the weather on the upper slopes of the mountains is cool and pleasant all year even in hot season, average temperature is about 20 - 23 degree celsuis. In the cool season, the air is cold and clear. Temperature can drop as low as 6 degree celsuis in February, August and September are the wettest months with rain falling daily.

Flora and Fauna
There are two basic types of forest on the mountain: Deciduous forest below about 1,000 m elevation and evergreen forest above. The deciduous is further divided into two kinds, deciduous dipterocarp-oak Forest in the driest areas and mixed evergreen deciduous forest along streams and gullies. Common species are trees of the families Dipterocarpaceae, Fagaceae and Magnoliaceae.

Wildlife in the park includes common muntjac, wild boar, macaque and other small mammals. More than 300 species of birds can be seen here, including red junglefowl, pheasants, eagles, parrots, bulbuls and minivets. Rare species of amphibian, the crocodile salamander that can be found in only four localities in Thailand, one in Doi Suthep.

Pupingrachaniwet Palace
Here is the royal residence located near the top of Doi Buakhad. May foreign dignitaries come to this palace to meet members of the royal family. The palace has a botanical garden, which grows many kinds of beautiful flowers. The palace is open everyday from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (Closed when the Royal Family is in residence, January to early March.)

Pratad Doi Suthep Temple
It is the holy place of Buddhist and Lanna history. It located on Doi Suthep, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province. The monument was established on B.E.1927 (1384), there is 306 steps spread to the upper building. The building is Peguan style chedi, which contained remains of Lord Buddha.

A memorial statue to Cruba Sriwichai
It is situated at the base of the mountain welcomes pilgrims and travellers asike. Cruba Sriwichai was a teacher and a forest monk. He was a very wise man and the spiritual leader of the local people. People still come to this site to pay homage to Cruba Sriwichai before they ascend the mountain to make merit at Wat Pratat Doi Suthep, which is the spiritual center of Chiang Mai.

San Ku
In 1983, The Fine Arts Department began excavation and restoration work on San Ku at the wish of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirinchorn who had learnt that this ancient, historical site had been looted and ravaged for a long time.

Before restoration, San Ku was an ancient earth mound densely covered by trees. When earth and soil were removed, remains of chedi and wihan bases appeared. Exploration of the pit in the middle of the chedi base revealed many important historical artifacts. It was estimated that San Ku dates from 13th century A.D.

Huey Kaew Waterfall
It is located near the Cruba Sriwichai Memorial, not far from the main road. You can walk to Wang Bua Ban, a beautiful pool at the base of Pha Ngoeb Criff.

Monthathan Waterfall
This place is a beautiful, nine-tiered waterfall that flows over a cliff. It is about 3 kilometers from Huay Kaew Waterfall.

Mae Sa Waterfall
This waterfall is a lovely set of nine falls that a good flow of water all year long. A distance of 100 to 500 meters separates all the falls.

Tard Mork Waterfall
It is far from Mae Rim District about 14 kilometers on Mae Rim – Sa Meung Road. It’s a quiet and moist forest especially in hot season.

Mork Fa Waterfall
One of a nice waterfall in Mae Tang District. Travelling on Chiang Mai – Fang (Road number 107) and keep to the left on Mae Malai – Pai (Road number 1095) about 58 kilometers. Moreover there are Mork Fa Cave and Nature trail near the fall.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Huai Kaew road, Suthep Sub-district, Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand   50200
Tel. : 0 5321 0244   Fax : 0 5321 2065