STRENGTHENING CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT NETWORK OF SITES LOCATED IN WORLD HERITAGE CITIES: A CASE STUDY OF INTEGRATED SUB-DISTRICT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL UPGRADING PROJECT OF PHU KHAO THONG SUB-DISTRICT PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to study the strengthening of the network for creative developing sites in World Heritage cities. A case study of the integrated sub-district economic and social up-grading project of Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, conducted by the qualitative Research. Data were collected by in-depth- Interviewing 30 key informants, analyzed by descriptive content interpretation.

Research results were found that production development, raw material development, product development, and marketing system development integrated with planning process was essential for the efficiency of promoting the local handicraft group and palm leaf carp weaving, including joint operations and participation in monitoring and evaluation. Sharing the benefits of grouping small entrepreneurs was very beneficial; for example, there was a society among entrepreneurs. There were entrepreneur friends in the group who helped each other think and create bargaining power because they had friends. Members helped support and strengthened the network for developing creative spaces in World Heritage cities by raising production productivity and adding value to products, which was essential in generating income and improving quality of life. Provincial Agriculture Offices integrated collaboration between government agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The Ministry of Commerce and local administrative organizations’ objective were to encourage entrepreneurs to follow the standard system for producing palm leaf carp products, focusing on providing knowledge to entrepreneurs on systematically making products.