Promotion and Occupational Development on Traditional Massage, Application of Local Wisdom for Homestay Tourism in Pang Makham Pom, San Salee Sub-district, Wiang Papao District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

Objectives of this research are to study community context and the need of local community participation, to promote the wisdom of traditional massage to support health tourism and to study occupational development for local herb products in San Salee Sub-district, Wiang Papao District, Chiang Rai Province. This participatory action research utilized research instrument including field record, observation form, in-depth interview, group seminar, group activity, and joint learning activity. The target group consisted of 10 traditional massage gurus, 35 local herbal product producers and sellers, homestay owners, community leader, interested people within San Salee Sub-district, and 120 tourist respondents, in total of 165 participants. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using content analysis technique. It was found that, the homestays in Pang Makham Pom village have the readiness to arrange health tourism services. People in the community are willing to participate in activities inorder to create impression to the tourists by providing the local wisdom to organize traditional massage activities which resulting in healthy and good looking skin. Herbal products useing during the massage included herbal foot bath, and herbal massage ball that materials are locally sourced. Equipment were developed as well as heating method for the foot bath service using community innovation These included herbal inhaler and herbal massage ball. For the occupational development of local herbs production Through the participatory learning process of entrepreneurs.