National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand Thai National Observatory (TNO) is NARIT's main facility, atop Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province. The concept of a national astronomical research institute was discussed for the first time in the Assembly of the Deans of the Faculty of Science in Thai universities. On July 20, 2004, commemorating His Majesty King Bhumibol's 80th Birthday Anniversary in 2007 and marking the bicentenary of the life and work of King Mongkut the "Father of Thai Science" the government approved the establishment of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), under the
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