Community Participation in Developing Tourism Attractions in Watthana Nakhon, Sa Kaeo, Thailand

Abstract

This research has objectives to study on the conditions of Watthana Nakhon Sub-district community’s context, the capacity of community in developing tourism attractions, and format in developing tourism attractions with the participation of Watthana Nakhon Subdistrict, Watthana Nakhon District, Sa Kaeo Province. This is a Participatory Action Research. The sample groups of 50 people are consisting of representatives from governmental organizations, representatives from local administrative office, local leaders, and local people from Watthana Nakhon Sub-district, Watthana Nakhon District, Sa Kaeo Province. There were three tools utilizing in this research, which are 1) an observation form, 2) group interview, and 3) focus group discussion. This research utilized Descriptive Data Analysis method. The results found that most of the area of Watthana Nakhon Sub-district community is a low land, most of the population is doing agriculture, and the community is famous for producing roasted sticky rice in bamboo joints, wickerwork, and jasmine rice. In terms of community’s capacity in developing tourism attractions, the researchers found that the community is located on the main road of Sa Kaeo province, which there are many tourists passing by. There are many important religious and historical sited. The local leaders are very strong. Community’s products have the capacity to be developed as tourism attractions with the participation of corporation network and people in the community. In terms of the format for developing community’s tourism attractions, the researchers found that tourism attractions in the community can be developed by using community’s products, which are developed from social capital and local wisdom, to get tourists attractions and connecting tourism routes with important sited in Watthana Nakhon Sub-district community.