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 Luang National Park District, should not be confused with Doi Luang, with an altitude of 1,694 m the highest mountain of the Phi Pan Nam Range, that is located about 30 km further south in the same mountain chain. The sources of the Wang and the Lao River are in this mountainous area. The park also has rugged rock formations and scenic waterfalls such as Namtok Pu Kaeng, Namtok Cham Pa Thong and Namtok Wang Kaew. Trees in the protected area include "Mesua ferrea", "Hopea odorata", "Toona ciliata", "Lagerstroemia tomentosa" and "Irvingia malayana". Animals in the park area include the Asian black bear,