Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep was built by Phraya Kue Na in 1386 to store the Buddhas relics Phra Sumon Thera brought from Sukhothai. The temple was well taken care of due to its being under the patronage of the Chiang Mai rulers. Thao Sai Kham (1538-1543) offered gold to cover the chedi and Phrachao Kawila (1774-1782) had two viharas built, one in the east and the other in the west along with having umbrellas placed at the four corners of the chedi and a fence built around the chedis base.
Because of this temples being built at the top of a mountain, traveling up to pay homage to it is a difficult task. Therefore, in 1934, Khruba Siwichai and Chao Kaew Nawarat the 9th ruler of Chiang Mai (1911-1939) gathered people to build a road up Doi Suthep. The road ended at the stairs of the temple that had approximately 306 steps. The banisters were formed into a makara regurgitating a seven headed naga. Its body was long and wavy all the way to the top at the chedi. An electric cable car has been constructed at the temple to accommodate people who cannot walk up the stairs.
References
Chiang Mai Teachers College. Arts and Cultural Centre. (1991?). Wat samkhan khong nakhon Chiang Mai lem 1 (significant temples of Chiang Mai City, vol. 1). (in Thai). Chiang Mai:
So. Sap Karnphim.
Saeng Monwithun (Trans.). (1975). Chinakanmalipakorn. (in Thai).
Bangkok: Nukulkit Printing.
Sanguan Chotsukrat. (1973). Tamnan phuen mueang Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai folk legends). (in Thai). Pranakhon: Historical
Publication Committee, Office of the Prime Minister.
Woraran Boonyasuratna. (2007). Nam Tiew Phrathat Doi Suthep (a guide to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep). (in Thai). Bangkok: Sida.
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