Participatory Community-based Agrotourism: A Case Study of Bangplakod Community, Nakhonnayok Province, Thailand

Abstract

This research aimed to initiate participatory community-based agrotourism (CBAT) in Bangplakod Sub-district, Nakhonnayok Province, Thailand. Therefore, Participatory Action Research (PAR) process was applied. Observation, community fora, network building and workshops were used to enhance community participation. The research participants included diverse Bangplakod’s stakeholders who were the key informants and practitioners in locality. During PAR process, Bangplakod CBAT plan and project were developed to empower local decision making in managing tourism. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis and verified by triangulation. The research results revealed the area was unique for being the largest ornamental tree plantation. Local people had cultivated skills and wanted to preserve their original way of life which suitable for agrotourism development. The community desired to transfer their agro knowledge as tourism activities to give tourist experiences. The CBAT group mutually operated 5 development projects included local guide training, agro learning based, agrotourism route, public relation and local lodge. The community initiated a trial trips to tourists and made the lessons learned after program finish. CBAT was not only empowered local to make decision in agrotourism but also vitalized economic, cultural and natural impacts.