Tourists' Opinion on Waterway Tourism along the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok-Ayutthaya Route

Abstract

     The objectives of this research were to study 1) the background information of tourists heading for waterway tourism along the Chao Phraya River specifically on Bangkok -Ayutthaya Route, 2) the attitudes and satisfaction of tourists towards services provided on board and tourist destinations, and 3) suggestions based on tourists' opinions. Data were obtained from the questionnaires provided for 325 native Thai tourists and 80 international tourists. The questionnaires were statistically analyzed in percentage and descriptively analyzed. The result showed that both Thai and international tourists were 26-35 years of age in average. Their educational background was mostly at bachelor degree level. Their occupation was mainly business employees. Most of them obtained the information about waterway tourism from friends and they wanted to take vacation on this kind of trip again whenever possible. Regarding tourists' attitudes (very good, good, fair, and poor), the result showed that both Thai and international tourists shared the same attitudes at only two levels -- good and fair. Moreover, international tourists' suggestions were: 1) there should be more tourist guides to provide information and knowledge at each tourist site, 2) offering of tour program more than a day per week, and 3) the prices of fees and tickets should be at the same rate as Thai tourists. According to Thai tourists, they suggested that there should be recreational activities for everyone to join during the trip. They preferred traveling for relaxation to traveling for consumption of cultural knowledge. However, both Thai and international tourists thought that the route trip should be differently organized and always updated so that they could join the trip once again and learn something new.