THE STUDY OF IMPORTANT BUDDHA’S IN CHIANG RAI PROVINCE FOR STRENGTHEN POTENTIAL LEARNING MANAGEMENT IN CULTURAL ROUTES AND TOURISM

Abstract

The route along the road from Mueang district to Chiang San andMae Sai districts, Chiang Rai province was once the route used by people to pass the ancient communities so, there are many interesting cultural heritages left to be seen. At present, this route is still a significant tourist route of Chiang Rai province. In order to increase potential of learning and travelling along the mentioned route, this study aims to study Buddha images which are valuable, important and sacred according to belief of each community located along the aforementioned road. The overall aim is to manage this route as a learning and cultural tourism source.

            The results of the study found that there are 24 valuable, important and sacred Buddha images connected with residences and communities have been found dispersed around temples in the area of Mueang, Don Jan, Chiang San and Mae Sai districts. Therefore, the following criterion was created to select 9 valuable and sacred Buddha images: The Emerald Buddha from Phra Kaew temple Mueang district, Phra Sing Buddha from Phra Sing temple Mueang district, Luang Pho Phra Si Ming Mueang from Ming Mueang temple Mueang district, Patilhanmongkron from Falang Mint temple Mueang district, Luangpor to from Pra that Chom Chan temple Mae Chan district, PhaNgao Buddha from Pra Tat PhaNgao temple Chiang San districts, Chiang San Sing 1 Buddha from Chedi Luang temple Chiang San districts, NaWaLankwao Tue Buddha from PuKhow temple Chiang San districts, In San Buddha from Pra Tat Doi Wao temple Mae Sai districts. All these mentioned Buddha images will be arranged along the learning and cultural tourism route. In order to create successful and effective learning and cultural tourism route, management form with the collaboration of community was proposed to encourage the participation of temples and residents in doing activities together, producing media for learning and facilities for tourism as well as collaborating with local administration located in each area taking part in supporting any activity.