Driving the Bowon Power Network of Tourist Temples to Support the Aging Society in Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

 The research studied on “Driving the bowon power network of tourist temples to support the aging society in Khon Kaen province” aims 1) to study the tourism management of tourist temples in Khon Kaen Province, 2) to drive the Bowon’s power network of tourist temples to support the aging society in Khon Kaen Province and 3) to develop Bowon’s power network in a long-term of tourist temple to support the aging society in Khon Kaen Province. In this qualitative research, the team used the data collection methodology of participatory action research which uses document analysis techniques, In-depth interview techniques, and specific group conversation techniques. The key informants were monks, community leaders, the elderly, relevant government agencies, the public sector, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Khon Kaen Office. The samples for the In-depth Interview were 60 people, specific group conversation techniques were 20 people. The researcher used the information from the research results in each step, to analyze the data, including explaining the conclusions build, inductive analysis, classifying data types, content comparison, and summary of the research results.

The results showed.

          1) The tourism management of the tourist temples in Khon Kaen has an inevitable traffic jam in Khon Kaen when it comes to the annual tourism season (Taxi, Grab) overpriced fare hikes, and rejected passengers. The taxi drivers often gave reasons for not accepting the passengers that they must add fuel (gas), they didn't know the route, or some of them want to accept only foreign tourists at a fixed price. Including, hotel operators and some shops increased the room rates throughout the product. Moreover, There were conflicts between local policies to support participants' knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the group. Strengths and weaknesses in the way of driving community-based tourism to achieve sustainability, income distribution in the community from selling products, and volunteer service.

          2) Promoting the Bowon Power Network of tourist temples to support the aging society in Khon Kaen. The Department of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Culture supervised, followed up, and evaluated the results to be developed to achieve a pattern of achievement, knowledge is transferred to children and youth with a sense of belonging, and performance development by arranging the Observational study from thinking and speaking and having public relations such as printed media, television media, online media, and information media. The government agency, private sector, and civil society let the tourist temples support the aging society, to be generous, be kind to the elderly society community through a set of knowledge and learning centers.

          3) The Development of a long-term network of tourism temples to support the elderly society in Khon Kaen.  A tourist temple supported the elderly society by encouraging the integration of enterprises from the production of cultural products based on the potential of the elderly. There were Wisdom Markets in educational institutions, Temples/religious places, and communities. The government and civil society sectors have promoted more channels for expressing opinions on various aspects of planning which were 1) preparation of work plans/projects 2) education management 3) information release location 4) Museum or knowledge exhibition corner 5) cleanliness 6) Preparation of temple’s map and storage of important documents through knowledge from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Khon Kaen Office.