Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has instructed the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to set up a centre to breed and preserve rare plants on Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai.
Treetos: Improving ties with residents
Air force chief Treetos Sonjaeng said the princess has told the air force to use areas around its air defence system station, and areas near two pagodas on top of the mountain, to set up the breeding and conservation centre.
The princess said the cold climate on the mountain top was suited to growing winter-blooming plants and trees, ACM Treetos said.
Doi Inthanon is the country's highest peak in Chiang Mai.
ACM Treetos said the air force will first experiment growing sakura trees, hoping they will produce flowers.
He said construction of the plant breeding centre is expected to be finished by April 2 next year to mark the Princess's 60th birthday.
ACM Treetos said the air force has built two pagodas on Doi Inthanon in honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen.
A pagoda named Noppon Bhumsiri was constructed in 1987 in honour of His Majesty, and the other, Nop Methaneedon, was built five years later in honour of the Queen, he said.
He said air force soldiers provide security on the mountain, which is the location of the RTAF's air defence radar system station.
The air force's Wing 41 based in Chiang Mai has a fleet of fighter jets on standby to prevent any air threats, as well as to help direct air traffic, ACM Treetos said.
He said the air force strives to improve ties with residents around the mountain by sending mobile medical units, comprising military doctors, and dentists, to provide services to locals.
The air force chief said air force personnel are always ready to offer help when requested.