Preserving Cultural Identity for Promoting Karen’s Tourism at Yang Nam Klat Tai Community, Nong Ya Plong District, Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) study the history of Karen ethnic group at Yang Nam Klat Tai community, 2) study the potential of communities and tourist attractions that could promote Yang Nam Klat Tai community tourism , and 3) promote the process of community participation in tourism management that encouraged the preservation of cultural identity to establish guidelines for promoting community-based tourism at Yang Nam Klat Tai community, Nong Ya Plong district, Phetchaburi province by using  qualitative research methods. The data were collected by in-depth interviews, focus group discussion, field notes and participant observation in ethnographic studies by using content analysis.   The research findings were summarized into 5 issues. Firstly, Yang Nam Klat Tai community was not large, the first group of people migrated to the village was the Karen ethnic groups. Secondly, there was important tourism resources and natural attractions, the river from Huai Mae Prachan and the man-made fields were the Karen culture courtyard, the Karen replica house, Stupa pagoda, and the Karen study center. Thirdly, the strength of community potentials was the strength of the community leaders, community cooperation, and identity of local culture. The weakness was groups management and cultural product. Fourthly, the process of community participation in preserving cultural identity to community tourism was problem searching, causes analyzing, solutions considering, implementation, and evaluation. Lastly, guidelines for promoting community tourism under cultural identity were restoring cultural assets, increasing the participation process of people in the community, making cooperation with tourism business organizations and bringing culture to proactive marketing.