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 Tung to the princess mother's interest and encouragement, the hills were reforested. She was also instrumental in fighting against the opium trade. As a result the local hill tribes stopped growing poppies and began to grow other crops. The royal villa was originally built as a summer residence for the princess mother and now houses a museum and displaying her work to improve the life quality of local tribal people. The Mae Fah Luang Gardens are a botanical park on the slopes below the royal villa. Flowers and plants grow among rock formations. Doi Tung Doi Tung (ดอยตุง) is a mountain