THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL MEDIA AND PRECISE APPLICATION FOR LEARNING AND EXPLORING THE INFORMATION OF THE RELIGIOUS TOURISM AND MEDITATION SITES IN THE SECONDARY CITIES IN THE UPPER NORTHERN THAILAND

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to 1) explore and collect information about tourist attractions in religious and meditation retreats, and 2) develop innovative digital media and precise applications for learning and exploring tourist attractions at the secondary cities in the upper northern. The research design was a qualitative research. The sampling group included general tourist and the target groups who are selectively scholar monks, qualified local experts and elderlys. The data collections tools were in-depth interviews and group discussions. The research had presented by expository and descriptive method. Therefore, the results of the research revealed that 1) religious and meditation retreats tourist attractions in the upper northern part of the secondary city tourism area were consisted of a tourist attraction, cultural attraction, intellectual tourist attraction and tourist meditation retreats. Most of the important things inside the temples were an ubosot, a viharn, a chedi (the Buddha’s relic ), an art gallery or a museum, the principal Buddha image, Phra That (Stupa), Phra Chao Thanjai, a bell tower, a replica of the Buddha's footprint, a doorway, murals or wall paintings and viewpoints of the temple. The distinctive identities were the temple’s architecture, Buddhist sculptures and paintings with the application of a blend of Buddhist art in Lanna and Burmese including Tai Yai and Tai Lue arts. Those identities were incorporating Buddhist ethics and beliefs which reflect the prosperity of Buddhism in the past as well, then 2) to develop innovative digital media of tourist attractions at the secondary cities in the upper northern, comprise e-books and online videos. The innovative digital media of tourist attractions communicated to tourists via Buddhist Tourism, YouTube channel, Google Sites and AnyFlip website. The particular application for learning and discovering tourist attractions met the needs of tourism users which presented on smartphones and tablet devices.