Geo-Informatics : Analysis of the Food Hawker Center's Location on Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Chonburi Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to investigate factors determining food hawkers' location and to suggest a more suitable area for a food hawkers' center on Jomtien beach, Pattaya, Chonburi Province by applying methods of Geo-Informatics. Twelve sub-factors in four main groups were turned over into two forms employing geographic information databases and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP).

The results show that the most suitable locations are an abandoned area covering 120.80 rais (approx. 0.19 km.2), followed by commercial buildings expanding over an area of 78.20 rais (approx. 0.13 km.2). The next must suitable locations were the sand areas of 26.44 (approx. 0.04 km.2) and 11.49 rais (approx. 0.02 km.2) respectively. The study also found that many commercial buildings in those areas are actually not in use. Therefore, the local government could re-designate them as a new food hawkers' center if there is no negative impact on the local private sector.