Basic Data for Landscape Planning, Hin-Perng Rafting Area, Sai Yai River, Khao-Yai National Reserved Forests

Abstract

The main objectives of this study were to investigate some background of the tourists at Hin-Perng Rafting area, Sai Yai River, Khao-Yai National Reserved Forest, some background of their tour activities, both of their experiences and the motive media brought to rafting and the opinions in area management as the basic data for landscape planning. The samples was 418 representative tourists by simple random sampling according to Krejcie and Morgan through interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were percentage and arithmetic mean. Inferential statistic for testing hypotheses was chi-square. The findings revealed that there was not so much difference gender between the tourists. The most average age was 15-25 years. Mostly of the tourist hometown are Bangkok and the central region. Majority of the respondents graduated in compulsory education. Majority occupation was private company officer. The highest income was found 33.49 percent at 10,000 baht per month. The most favourite hobby was sight seeing. Almost of the tourists associated with friends. Camping was ranked as the number one recreation. Friend was also ranked as the number one motive media for rafting. All of thirteen methods in area and visitor management were accepted by 60 percent of the respondents. Method in environmental impact affecting the area were found 86.36 percent as the most accepted method. Visitor center with permanent officer was the most needed facility. Testing hypotheses indicated that there were non-difference between gender, major occupation, and salary of the tourists with their opinions in area and visitor management. There were difference between age and highest education level with some types of facility needed. Priority recommendation were 1) Visitor center with permanent officer should be provided; 2) Adventure facility should be considered; 3) Ecosystem and environmental conservation display should be provided; 4) Sign, guard house, food and beverages service, souvenir shop, rafting facilities rent shop, nature trails, and convenient store should be provided; and 5) Type of facility with appropriate type of visitor should be considered together.