The Revitalization Process of the Yok Khan Mak Pathom Tradition and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Khlong Dan Community

Abstract

This research aimed to (1) examine the historical background and ritual procedures of the Yok Khan Mak Pathom Tradition in Khlong Dan Community, located in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and Songkhla Province; (2) develop a process for revitalizing the Yok Khan Mak Pathom Tradition through community activities; and (3) evaluate the activities and propose guidelines for preserving and continuing the tradition. This study employed a mixed-methods research design. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through interviews with five community scholars and focus group discussions with 20 community leaders and community representatives, selected through purposive sampling. In the quantitative phase, data were gathered from 10 respondents, consisting of media experts and tourist representatives who participated in the activities, using both closed-ended and open-ended questionnaires. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Qualitative data were analyzed using coding analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that (1) the Yok Khan Mak Pathom Tradition is a reenactment of a traditional wedding ceremony closely associated with Buddhism and functions as a fundraising activity for temples. In this ritual, the temple symbolically serves as both the wedding venue and the bride’s house. (2) the community-based revitalization process consisted of four stages: 1) collaborative discussions among researchers, community members, the abbot of Khlong Dan Temple, community scholars, and community leaders; 2) expanding participation through community communication and collaborative planning; 3) obtaining support from local organizations, including the Khlong Dan Temple committee, local administrative organizations, and community representatives from both provinces; and 4) communicating from within the community to external audiences to enhance awareness and participation; and (3) respondents expressed a high level of overall satisfaction with the activities (Mean = 3.95). The guidelines for sustaining this tradition include fostering community awareness, strengthening collaboration with local administrative organizations and related agencies, and developing educational media materials to provide knowledge about the tradition.