Amolops archotaphus Amolops archotaphus The Doi Inthanon rock frog ("Amolops archotaphus" or "Rana archotaphus") is a species of frog in the family Ranidae. It is named after Doi Inthanon mountain and is found in Laos, Thailand, and possibly Vietnam. It is known from Doi Inthanon and in Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand, and the Annamite Range in Laos. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and rivers. It is threatened by habitat destruction and degradation, particularly agriculture, development of infrastructure, logging and water pollution. Until 1997, this species was hidden as a
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep placed by the king on the back of a white elephant which was released into the jungle. The elephant is said to have climbed up Doi Suthep, at that time called Doi Aoy Chang ("Sugar Elephant Mountain"), stopped, trumpeted three times, then dropped dead. This was interpreted as an omen. King Nu Naone immediately ordered the construction of a temple at the site. The name of the Temple (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep) actually explains what the temple has. "Phra" entails of an honorific Buddha image, and "That" means a relic. Combining the two tells that there is a relic