Guidelines for Promoting Local Wisdom for Community-Based Tourism in Ban Koh Kerd, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province DOI:

Abstract

          This research aims to: 1) examine the characteristics of utilizing local wisdom to promote community-based tourism, 2) investigate the process of applying local wisdom in enhancing community tourism and 3) propose strategic approaches for promoting local wisdom to support community-based tourism. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 18 key informants who are stakeholders involved in community development. The data were analyzed by identifying common patterns and drawing thematic conclusions.

          The findings revealed that: 1) The application of local wisdom in Koh Koet community, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, enhances the value of local products and community identity through innovation and lifestyle practices rooted in traditional knowledge. Community members are organized into groups such as the Koh Koet Homestay Network and Koh Koet Tourism Club, offering nine distinctive learning bases across seven villages, reflecting the community’s unique identity. 2) The process of utilizing local wisdom involves collaboration between government agencies and community stakeholders, as well as legal awareness regarding intellectual property rights. Community members especially those possessing traditional recipes and herbal remedies are encouraged to assert ownership or custodianship over such knowledge, which is safeguarded either as state property or communal intellectual property, depending on policy and legal frameworks. 3) The proposed development model highlights the importance of uniting agricultural communities in Bang Pa-in District, who still adhere to the sufficiency economy philosophy. This simplicity offers an authentic experience for visitors. The community has established homestay programs that allow outsiders to engage in local agricultural practices and cultural heritage through experiential learning. These include traditional crispy noodle (Mee Krob) making, rice-based dessert (Khao Ya Ku) preparation, herbal remedy production, and integrated farming, alongside riverside homestay experiences and medicinal plant workshops.