THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF THE LEARNING PROCESS-BASED CULTURAL TOURISM INTERPRETATION OF KHAO PHRA WIHAN NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

This research aimed 1) to investigate the current context of cultural tourism interpretation
of Khao Phra Wihan national park and the best practical interpretation of Khom-Khmer cultural tourism interpretive management, and 2) to create and check the development process of the learning process-based cultural tourism interpretation of Khao Phra Wihan national park. This research was qualitative; documentary research and in-depth interview were employed. The content analysis was applied for data analysis. The research results showed that the current context of cultural tourism interpretation of the park consists of: (1) the interpreters, such as the Office of National Park and Khao Pha Wihan national park, (2) the story of tourist attractions of the park, (3) interpretive media, such as visitor center, interpretive signs, website, and staffs of the park, and (4) tourists. Furthermore, the best practical interpretation of Khom-Khmer cultural tourism interpretive management is Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia. Also the interpretive management structure consists of three main sectors namely international communities, public sector, and private sector. In conclusion, the development process of the learning processbased cultural tourism interpretation of the park consists of: (1) the interpreters, such as the Office of National Park, Khao Pha Wihan national park, and tour companies, (2) the story of tourist attractions of the park, (3) interpretive media, such as visitor center, interpretive signs,
website, staffs of the park, and tour guides, and (4) tourists who are involved in the perception and learning about the interpretation of tourist attractions in the park.