Application of Geo-Informatics Technology for Modeling of Art and Cultural Sites in Wiang Chiang Saen Sub-district, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

           This research aimed to create a three-dimensional model and 360º photographs of art and cultural sites in Wiang Chiang Saen Sub-district, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province including disseminating information about art and cultural sites through augmented reality technology (AR) and the Google Street View application by assessing and selecting areas of art and culture that are important from the stakeholders in the study area at 5 sites, namely Wat Mung Muang, Wat Ati Ton Kaew, Wat Maha Pho, Wat Mahathat and Wat Chetawan. Then the researcher conducted surveys to measure width, length, height and collect coordinates of cultural sites to be used in 3D modeling with SketchUp Pro 2021 including assuming the shape of damaged cultural sites based on data obtained from surveys and related documents. As for creating 360º photographs of the 5 sites, it was done by using a camera from a mobile phone through the Google Street View application and creating an application to present information of art and culture sites through augmented reality technology.

            The study found that 3D models of cultural sites could be displayed and adjusted according to the viewing direction and the 3D model was accurate to the defined scale. As for the 360º photographs, users could adjust the perspective of viewing images in a surround way, as if looking from the real place of the 5 sites. The application designed to display 3D models of cultural sites through augmented reality technology and 360º photographs, interested parties can download the “WeAR” application to install on the smartphone from https://social.crru.ac.th/research/wear.apk which can be used in travel planning including studying the history and origins of art and cultural resources in Wiang Chiang Saen Sub-district, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province.