Doi Luang District Doi Luang District Doi Luang (, ) is a district ("amphoe") in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. The area of Doi Luang was separated from Mae Chan District and established as a minor district ("king amphoe") on 15 July 1996. On 15 May 2007, all 81 minor districts were upgraded to full districts. With publication in the "Royal Gazette" on 24 August, the upgrade became official. Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong, Wiang Chiang Rung, and Mae Chan. The district is divided into three sub-districts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into
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