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
Doi Toshikatsu of the first to be appointed to the newly created post of "Tairō" (Great Elder), and was made "daimyō" (feudal lord) of Koga Domain in Shimōsa Province, with a revenue of 160,000 "koku". Doi Toshikatsu The adopted son of Doi Toshimasa, Toshikatsu is generally believed to be the biological son of Mizuno Nobumoto, though there are some who claim he was an illegitimate son of shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu. He served the shogunate as advisor to shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada for many years, and played an important role in communicating and overseeing the enforcement of shogunal policy across the country; Doi also