The Development of eco-tourism Routes through the Participation of Baan Pa-Miang Community Stakeholders, Chae Son Sub-district, Muang Pan district, Lampang Province

Abstract

This study is participatory research using an in-depth interview and panel discussion of 40 stakeholders. This research aims to 1) explore a connection of travel routes between Baan Pa-Miang, Lampang province and Baan Mae Khampong, Chiang Mai province, and 2) develop and try out an eco-tourism route of Baan Pa-Miang through the participatory of community and stakeholders.

The result showed that: the travel route from Baan Mae Kampong to Baan Pa-Miang has abundant of natural resources for instance waterfall, forest, flora, coffee and tea plantation, etc. Tourists are able to experience the local lifestyle, learn how to make local products, taste local coffee and tea, explore nature using the eco-friendly trail, and visit the summit of Kiw-Fin Mountain which is the connecting spot of Chiang Mai and Lampang province. It takes only 8 kilometers from Baan Mae Kampong and 5 kilometers from Baan Pa Miang. This is, therefore, considered as a journey of two lands. The development and tryout of the eco-tourism route have found that the community is ready to welcome visitors. Researcher and community stakeholders developed two travel routes which are 1) community exploring route where visitors can participate in a short trekking through coffee plantation, Dok-Seawbridge of love, scenic point, picking Assam tea leaves, and make local souvenirs 2) trekking trails to visit TaadPhai waterfall which is approximately 3 kilometers from the village. This hard-trekking trail requires a local pick-up truck and local trekking guide to reach the entrance then walk for about 1 kilometer to the waterfall. There are three levels of the waterfall with about 40 meters pond of crystal clear water all year round. This is a new tourist attraction of Baan Pa-Miang which is ready to be developed and promoted.