Community way of life and water management leading to ecotourism of Na SiaoSub-distrcit, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province.

Abstract

         The purposes of this research were1) to study community way of life and water management leading to ecotourism: a case study of Na Siao Sub-district, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province,2) to study water management   factors leading to ecotourism of Na Siao Sub-district, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province, and 3) to create community way of life and water management leading to ecotourism: a case study of Na Siao Sub-district, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province. The samplesfor the quantitative data collection process were people living in 8 villages in Na SiaoSub-district, a total of 329 people. Also,16 samples were selected for the qualitative data collection process, includingre presentative of civil society, community leaders and academics. The research instruments were the questionnaire with a rating-point scale and the structured interview form.  research were as follows.   

1. According to community way of life and water management of Na Siao Sub-district,Mueang District,Chaiyaphum Provincein terms of community contextand community community contextand community strength,it was found that the importance of both factors was at a high level. The community needs water management for agriculture the most. Next, the community needs to manage available natural water sources to be ready and suitable for the development of ecotourism by connecting with the culture of the community to create new careers and increase income for the community.


2. The community leaders have to give priority to problems and needs and be open-minded to receive information from people in the community.The leaders are required to have vision and be interested in the outside world and focus on development and concern the benefits of people in the community. They also have to adopt the external change policy to define water management strategies in the community in order to connect with the community context and resources and to develop learning resources for being the tourist attraction based on the community way of life.


3. Community way of life and water management leading to ecotourism of Na Siao Sub-district, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province is systematical water management. It includes strong community participation, conservation and rehabilitation of upstream forests, water management for water security in agriculture, water quality management to meet standard quality for consumption linking to community way of life and watermanagement leading to ecotourism that requires awareness of conservation and sustainable ecotourism development. This must be integrated with social capital in accordance with the public participation process with the government. Also, the law must be used to control ecotourism. The guidelines for public relations and constructing network are also established.