COMMUNITY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT OF PHETCHABURI RIVER, A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL WATERWAY UNDER THE NEW WAY OF LIFE

Abstract

This article aims to 1) examine the community's capacity for management, 2) identify tourist needs, 3) propose tourism routes and approaches, and 4) assess the cost-effectiveness that the community will receive from managing and developing community tourism. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, primarily quantitative, with qualitative support. Quantitative data was collected from a sample of 400 tourists out of a total population of 5,344,657. Data was collected using questionnaires. The statistical methods employed were frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Qualitative data was collected from 27 key informants from Group 3. It was found that 1) Community potential and unique features within the community, along with important landmarks that attract tourists, include Nong Sano's Rainbow Rose Apple orchards and Ban Kum's history as a customs checkpoint collecting taxes and duties on palm sugar during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV). At the bend of the Phetchaburi River near Wat Bandai Thong, Bang Khrok, there is a Mon community with traditional Mon clothing and homestays offering a Mon way of life.
The community has the potential to manage and develop community-based tourism along the Phetchaburi River, and overall, it is at a good level. 2) Tourist demand for community-based tourism along the Phetchaburi River is at a high level ( = 3.57, S.D. = 0.59). When considering each aspect, it was found to be at a high level in all aspects. 3) Three tourist routes: 1) A long-distance route from Wat Mahathat to the mouth of the Gulf of Thailand at Bang Taboon, Ban Laem District. 2) A long-distance route from Wat Mahathat, through Ban Mon, Bang Lamphu, Ban Laem District, to the mouth of the Gulf of Thailand. 3) The medium-distance route from Wat Mahathat to Wat Khao Takerao, Ban Laem District. 4) Value to the community: An additional tourist route is opened, benefiting from publicity, enhancing the reputation and advertising of community tourism in another form.