การจัดการภูมิทัศน์เสียงเชิงสร้างสรรค์เพื่อการท่องเที่ยวเชิงสุขภาวะในจังหวัดแม่ฮ่องสอน: บนฐานอัตลักษณ์ทางวัฒนธรรมและความยั่งยืน

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the potential and role of soundscapes in shaping wellness tourism experiences in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand; to examine the management and conservation of soundscapes associated with sustainable wellness tourism; and to propose creative soundscape management approaches that support wellness tourism based on cultural identity and local sustainability. A qualitative research approach grounded in an interpretive paradigm was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and sound environment recordings from 20 key informants, including tourists, local residents, entrepreneurs, and relevant stakeholders in Mae Hong Son Province. The data were analyzed using Interpretive Thematic Analysis.

The findings revealed that silence and natural sounds, such as wind, flowing water, and birdsong, play a significant role in creating feelings of tranquility, relaxation, and emotional restoration among visitors. In contrast, ethnic cultural sounds, including Mong Serng drums, Tai Yai chanting, and traditional folk music, reflect cultural identity, collective memory, and local ways of life. The study further found that soundscapes contribute to wellness tourism experiences through processes of perception and meaning-making. Well-being outcomes were not generated by sounds alone but emerged through interactions among people, activities, and the spatial context in which sounds were experienced. However, the soundscape of Mae Hong Son is increasingly affected by contemporary tourism development and commercial activities, resulting in the gradual decline of certain traditional sounds. In addition, limitations were identified in soundscape management and inter-organizational collaboration at the local level.

The findings suggest that soundscapes should be understood not merely as elements of the acoustic environment but as resources for well-being, cultural heritage, and social relationships that shape the meanings and experiences of tourism. The development of wellness tourism should therefore emphasize the conservation of local sonic heritage, community participation, and balanced soundscape management in order to support sustainable tourism development in the long term.