Promoting Cultural Tourism in the Thai Way of Life along with Canal in Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

The purposes of this participatory action research were: 1) to study the potential of Klong Aomnon areas towards cultural tourism in the Thai way of life along with canal in Nonthaburi Province; 2) to develop the personnel competency in cultural tourism; and 3) to develop cultural tourism products/routes on the Thai way of life along with the canal. The purposive criteria was applied to determine the target population, which consisted of 1) the stakeholders of Thai cultural tourism along canal in Nonthaburi province, including community people and government representatives, and 2) tourists. The research instruments used for data collection were interviews, questionnaires, and checklists. Data analysis consists of content analysis, Descriptive statistics, and Paired t-test. The finding indicated that 1) the tourist site management to have the potential to accommodate tourists, including accessible facilities for all, was necessary to educate the community people to realize the importance of canal water resources and physical resources conservatives along the canal to maintain identity. 2) The development of personnel competency in cultural tourism along canal was to design the community spirit of service. Service providers should be developed to have the potential to serve tourists by recognizing the role of being a good host, and able to manage Thai cultural tourism effectively. 3) The Cultural Tourism Product development was defined as a designing the tourism route with cultural highlights in tourist destination. The route was emphasize on cultural tourism activities where all groups of tourists can perceive the value and participate in. In addition, communities should continuously evaluate tourists' satisfaction towards cultural tourism products.