While Thailand’s Doi Inthanon National Park two hours outside Chiang Mai is covered with hiking trails, waterfalls, and other adventure travel delights, the Royal Agricultural Station is the jewel in this proverbial crown. When the still-reigning King Rama IX (Bhumibol Adulyadej) launched the project in 1969, the opium trade and cultivation had economically, environmentally, and culturally devastated the region. He personally invested in 318.24 hectares of land 1,200 meters above sea level to establish this breakthrough agricultural research station. Forty-six years later, it encompasses temperate fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, tree and flower farms, several reforestation areas, seven tribal villages, and a rustic resort with a fantastic restaurant. The benefiting communities are flourishing economically as well as supplying produce to restaurants and markets around Thailand. / royal-inthanon.com
