THE MODEL OF PARTICIPARTORY CULTURAL TOURISM MANAGEMENT OF KOEI CHAI COMMUNITY, CHUM SAENG DISTRICT, NAKHON SAWAN PROVINCE

Abstract

          The purposes of this study titled “The Model of participatory Cultural Tourism Management in Koei Chai community” were to 1) investigate potential of community in cultural tourism management, and 2) find suitable alternatives to the standard model for Koei Chai community. This was a qualitative research and the data was collected from documents and related research consisting of interviews with a key informant, observation with participation and non-participation of people, study community context, and discussion groups to analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and obstacles. The result found that there were potential cultural resources including temples, museums, intelligence of locality, traditions and beliefs of community, and unique identity of local community. Furthermore, the potential of community should be developed by a young guide and an exploring identity project. Besides, the suitable alternative to the standard model for Koei Chai community was cultural tourism management that focuses on a study of community life. Finally, there are activities to learn about the background stories of community, visit cultural sites, listen to myths and legend from young guides in order to improve personal knowledge, make a good impression when visiting community as well as buy some souvenirs from toddy palm products.