Thanon Thong Chai Range of Southeast Asia. Other high peaks of the Thanon Thong Chai Range are 2,340 m high Doi Hua Mot Luang, the second highest peak in Thailand, Doi Pui (1,685 m), and 1,676 m high Doi Suthep. Certain hill tribe communities live in the range, like the Hmong and the Karen whose tribal villages dot the mountainsides. Some of these communities are regularly visited by organized tourist groups. Doi Inthanon was formerly known as Doi Ang Ka and was renamed in honor of King Inthawichayanon at the end of the 19th century. The vegetation is mostly deciduous forest below 1,000 m
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