Walking Trail Development Guidelines for Samet Nangshe Viewpoint in Khlong Khian, Takua Thung, Phanga Province, Thailand

Abstract

Samet Nangshe viewpoint, the tourist attraction in Khlong Khian, Takua Thung, Phanga province, Thailand, is a recently interesting tourist attraction due to its beautiful scene of various islands in Phanga bay and Andaman Sea which can see sunrise in the morning and can stargaze at night among the nature.  As Samet Nangshe is a natural attraction, there is a risk that it would be developed without consideration of consequences to nature and environment. Therefore, this study, walking trail development guidelines for Samet Nangshe, aims to study theory of natural attraction walking trail development, to survey the current situation of the walking trail, to poll the opinion of entrepreneur and tourists and to propose the appropriated guidelines for developing this walking trail. The study found that Tourism Authority of Thailand (2001) has determined 9 general regulations of natural attraction walking trial creation. This walking trail has met 3 regulations which consists of (1) it is a trail to a natural viewpoint, (2) tourists do not assemble at the weak area due to there are 2 viewpoints and (3) round trip walking duration is not over 45 minutes. On the other hand, the walking trail requires improvement for the rest 6 regulations which are (1) to improve safety by renovating the slippery, mud and water filled points of the trail, (2) to allocate an area for car park to prevent an accident which can occur when parking car roadside, (3) to add the accurate and clear caution signs, (4) to construct a permanent trail for durability and less maintenance, (5) to build the stairs for every steep inclines and (6) the attraction entrepreneur must understand its physical characteristics, the knowledge about its natural resources and interpretation, the emphasis of tourists’ safety and the consideration of the consequences to the natural resources.