DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL MANAGEMENT FOR BUDDHIST TOURRIST HEALTHY NA KUHA COMMUNITY,SUAN KHUEAN SUBDISTRICT, MEUANG DISTRICT, PHRAE PROVINCE

Abstract

The research study entitled “The Development of a Model for Buddhist Wellness Tourism Management of the Nakhuha Community, Suan Khuean Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province” aimed to: 1) study the model of Buddhist wellness tourism management of the Na kuha Community, Suan Khuean Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province; 2) develop an innovative model for Buddhist wellness tourism management of the community in Suan Khuean Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province; and 3) promote activities related to Buddhist wellness tourism management of the Na kuha Community, Suan Khuean Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province.
This study employed a research and development (R&D) methodology. The population and sample groups consisted of local administrative leaders, community leaders, residents of the Na kuha Community, Buddhist monks within the administrative area, academics, subdistrict community development officers, and representatives from the Phrae Provincial Office of Buddhism, totaling 41 individuals. The research instruments included focus group discussions, interviews, and academic seminars, which were used to develop the model, create innovations, and promote activities for Buddhist wellness tourism management within the community.
The research findings indicated that the Buddhist-based wellness tourism management model of the Na kuha community consisted of: 1) forest trekking and physical exercise activities that enabled engagement with nature, together with the consumption of healthy foods made from local ingredients; 2) Buddhist activities, such as Dhamma listening, meditation training, and Vipassana practice, which promoted mental and emotional well-being; 3) learning about the community’s simple and sustainable culture and way of life, including participation in organic farming and natural resource conservation; and 4) experiential learning of local culture, such as traditional food preparation and participation in community festivals.
The development of an innovative Buddhist-oriented wellness tourism management model in Nakuha Community reveals a multifaceted implementation approach comprising the following aspects: (1) digital technology integration through the use of digital platforms for public relations and dissemination of information on local culture and key community sites; (2) development of wellness-related products and services, such as local herbal products and healthy foods; (3) community training and capacity building to enhance knowledge and skills related to tourism management; (4) establishment of tourism networks to systematically develop interconnected tourism routes; (5) environmental conservation and restoration, emphasizing the protection of natural resources alongside tourism development; and (6) wellness and spiritual marketing, focusing on promoting tourism that supports both physical and mental well-being.
Furthermore, the promotion of Buddhist-oriented wellness tourism activities in Nakuha Community can be classified into four health dimensions: (1) physical health promotion activities, including the encouragement of healthy diets using natural ingredients such as freshwater algae (Tao), fermented tea leaves (Miang), century-old coffee, and sweet bamboo shoots; (2) mental health promotion activities, including health education and the provision of spaces for Dharma practice, such as meditation rooms; (3) social health promotion activities, involving the encouragement of adaptation to new lifestyles and social roles within changing contexts; and (4) spiritual health promotion activities, including Dharma practices such as meditation to foster inner peace and mental balance.