Cultural Tourism Management through the Participation of TAI-YAI Ethnic Group in Pambok Village, Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

This study is a participatory research using in-depth interview and a civil society group discussion of 50 people. This research aims to analyze cultural tourism resources of Baan Pam-Bok and to find model to manage cultural tourism of Tai-Yai ethnic group.

The finding reveals that: cultural tourism resources of Pam-Bok community combines with two categories. 1) Intangible cultural tourism resources like way of life, idea, culture, traditions, and Buddhism with spiritual belief. 2) Tangible cultural tourism resources like village guardian shrine, temple, Kho-Gu-Soh bamboo merit bridge, house settlement, and Shan style of traditional attire. The process of managing cultural tourism in Pam-Bok Tai-Yai ethnic group and be done in three aspects; 1) promoting the Tai-Yai identity in all dimensions like supporting Buddhism ceremonies and dressing with Tai-Yai costume. 2) Setting up a check-in spot at Kho-Gu-So bamboo merit bridge, providing food and drinks services in a form of unique style of restaurant, charging admission fee from foreign tourists, and setting up donation box for Thai tourists. These may create about 50 percent of village’s tourism income. 2) Forming groups to help manage the cultural tourism community such as village management committee, Tai-Yai cultural preservation committee, cultural tourism management committee, etc. This creates clear job responsibilities and spreads the authorities to small sections in the community which concretely and effectively drives Baan Pam-Bok community tourism.