A Participatory Action Research to Explore and Synthesize the Core Values of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to Develop into a Sufficiency Economy Tourism Village in Phet Samut Khiri Province Area

Abstract

This research explored and synthesized the core values of the sufficiency economy philosophy, as applied to the development of tourism in the sufficiency economy villages of Pethsmutkhiri province area. The participatory action research method was deployed. A sample of 110 people was drawn to represent the village committees in 22 villages. The core values identified, as applied to tourism development, were as follows. 1) “Moderation” as the basis of planning, reflecting five aspects of community capital: human, social and cultural, physical, environmental, and financial. 2) “Reasonableness” as the criterion driving tourism development. This guides the creation of attractions, while meeting Thailand’s tourism standards. The latter mandate community-based tourism management, and set guidelines for the quality of economic, social, and community management, conservation and promotion of community culture, nature and environment management, and the quality of community-based tourism services. 3) The use of “Self-immunity” to establish competent strategic management of community tourism development planning. Overall, the members of the sufficiency economy villages must work together under the core values of the sufficiency economy philosophy by combining professional skills with morality to ensure the sustainability of their tourism sector.