TOURISM HIGHLIGHTS OF DOI TUNG
	Doi Tung Royal Villa Mae Fah Luang Garden Princess Mother Commemorative Hall Mae Fah Luang Arboretum Phra That Doi Tung Ethnic and Hill-tribe Communities   The Wildlife Conservation Centre and Open Zoo   On-site Accommodation on Doi Tung Peak: Doi Tung Lodge 31

DOI TUNG - SWITZERLAND OF THAILAND

DOI TUNG ROYAL VILLA
The first royal residence of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindara

‘My Home on Doi Tung’
The Princess’ Mother’s vision to reforest Doi Tung led to her decision to take up residence on Doi Tung in order to personally oversee the project.

“If it weren’t for the Doi Tung Development Project, I will not have a house built here”, HRH the Princess Mother remarked.

The Doi Tung Royal Villa was constructed for the Princess Mother; from 1987 to 1995, it served as the royal residence and base from which Her Royal Highness supervised the reforestation of the project area and other development priorities. The Doi Tung Royal Villa thus came to symbolise her personal commitment and dedication to improving the lives and well-being of her subjects.

The first royal residence of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindara

Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindara, the Princess Mother referred to the Doi Tung Royal Villa as her ‘home on Doi Tung’. Construction of the villa began on December 26 in 1987 –the year His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej celebrated His Fifth Cycle or 60^th birthday anniversary. To mark the inauguration of the main pillar of the villa, ancient northern Thai customs were observed and an ancient Lanna Thai ritual known as the “Pok Sao Heuen” ceremony was performed according to traditional practices.

Set on the gentle slope of Doi Tung, the two-storey split-level villa was built according to design concepts and specifications as briefed by HRH the Princess Mother and her daughter, HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. It combines architectural elements inspired by the Northern Thai or Lanna style with those of a typical Swiss chalet, reminiscent of the Princess Mother’s residence in Switzerland where she lived for many years. The Royal Residence is on the upper floor and the residential quarters of members of staff in attendance are on the lower floor.

The Doi Tung Royal Villa features teak floors with most of the interior panelling made of pine timber from recycled shipping crates. The wooden gables are decorated with ornate hand-carved designs depicting floral motifs and creatures representing the signs of the zodiac. A set of “Ka-lae”, distinctive Lanna-Thai roof decorations coated with lacquer and laminated with gold leaves, sit on either end. Verandahs and railings are decorated with flowing “Mek Lai” designs.

The villa also includes a section for HRH Princess Galyani, elder sister of His Majesty the King, and her daughter, Thanpuying Tasna Valaya. The residence is open to the general public. Apart from its delightful interior, it offers a picturesque view of the mountains of the Nang Non range.

The Reception Hall
Ceiling of Twinkling Stars

The design concept for the ceiling of The Reception Hall was inspired by the Princess Mother’s interest in astronomy and developed by the Astronomical Association of Thailand.

Extraordinary design elements that depict the solar system draw attention to the ceiling. The sun sits at the centre of the universe, surrounded by concentric circles representing the elliptical orbit of the planets as they make their journey around the sun at the time of birth of HRH the Princess Mother on October 21, 1900.

The outer circle of stars depicts various constellation selected by HRH the Princess Mother. The size of the stars and the illumination in the constellation are realistically represented.

Doi Tung Royal Villa is open daily from 08.00 - 17.00.

Mae Fah Luang Garden
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