Tourism management in Mae Wong National Park: tourism based on community participation

Abstract

            The objectives of this academic article were 1) to study tourism management in Mae Wong National Park and 2) to create understanding of community participation and Mae Wong National Park. Mae Wong National Park is one of the natural tourist attractions accommodating tourists coming to relax or to learn a way of life of wild animals and nature of forest ecosystem. Mae Wong National Park has managed its area for recreational activities such as camping, hiking, conquering the peak of Mokoju. There are also guesthouses, Mae Ka-Sa Waterfall, Kiew Kra Ting viewpoint, and hot springs.

             This article explored tourism management in Mae Wong National Park, which is the area managed by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, for research and conservation of natural resources and ecosystems. It is also a recreational area for tourists by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Tourism areas are managed and allocated to both the flatland (lowland) and hill tribe community to have a living area so that they will not invade the national park, set fire to the forest and try to smuggle things. In addition, a committee member of Mae Wong National Park is from the representatives of the community. This brings about a peaceful way of management. And this is a way of managing western forest with communities, creating understanding by setting up a process of community involvement for management in Mae Wong National Park, resulting in sustainable tourism development.