Building of networks to revive the lifestyles and pass on local cultural knowledge heritage of Thai hill tribes for promotion of cultural tourism in Kamphaeng Phet

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to synthesize promotion guidelines and apply research findings in developing cultural tourism on the cultures of the different Thai hill tribes in Kamphaeng Phet. The study had a qualitative design with primary informants consisting of six Thai hill tribes. Data collection was done by interviews and group discussions. Data analysis relied upon processes for interpreting and verifying the reliability of data by utilizing the triangulation technique. Data are presented in line with anthropological research principles. The research found Thai hill tribe people living with new lifestyles as Christians in the Lahu tribe while the Hmong, Mien and Lisu tribes practiced the rite of honoring ancestral spirits, conservative rituals. Revival of the lifestyles and passing on of the local knowledge heritage of Thai hill tribes consisted of the following three steps: (1) Creation of acceptance on the individual level through adaptation to social environments and personal development, while overcoming the status of being a subculture; (2) Building relationships on the group level with establishment of relationship groups; and (3) connecting relationships for acceptance on the network level by utilizing social and cultural capital. The promotion guidelines and application of the research findings in cultural tourism on the cultures of Thai hill tribes consisted of the following: (1) the development of model lifestyles and local cultural knowledge heritage among Thai hill tribes through cultural tourism; (2) experimenting with the use of innovations; and (3) evaluation of results from experimenting with the use of innovations.