The Cultural Identity to Promote Tourism of the Tai Yuan Community at Ton Tan Subdistrict, Sao Hai District, Saraburi Province

Abstract

This research aims to study the promotion of local tourism using the Tai Yuan cultural identity in the Ton Tan community, Sao Hai District, Saraburi Province. This qualitative research employed document analysis, in-depth interviews, participatory and non-participatory observation, and a focus-group interview. The key informants were a community leader, a village sage, a tour operator, a president of weaving groups, local youths, and tourism entrepreneurs. The study collected information on the community’s history and cultural identity. Then analyzed how to apply their Thai Yuan identity to promote local community tourism. The data were presented in the form of a narrative. The results showed that the Thai Yuan-Ton Tan Community, Sao Hai District, Saraburi Province inherited the unique identity from their ancestors, and presented the community’s cultural identity to promote local tourism using the local identity presentation strategies. They included: 1) the presentation of the physical identity, which were a vintage floating market-Baan Ton Tan, a Thai Yuan Folk Culture Hall, and old temples and buildings in the community, and 2) the presentation of the unique local cultural identities, which were Thai Yuan language, performances, dress codes, and foods.