MISFORTONE FLOATING TRADTION: GUIDELINES FOR CULTURAL TOURISM PROMOTION IN TAKIYA SUBDISTRICT, RANOT DISTRICT, SONGKHLA PROVINCE

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to study the cultural context, history, beliefs, and rituals of the floating raft tradition to ward off misfortune; create a cultural database; map tourism routes; and identify ways to promote cultural tourism in Ta - Khria Subdistrict, Ranot District, Songkhla Province. The research found the cultural contexts to include Wat Sala Dhamma, Wat Hua Pa, Wat Ranot, Baan Roy Paet Sao, the Irrigation Project, Arts and Culture Center, Chaloem Phra Kiat Bridge, Wat Wari Pamokkha, Ta Kria Liquor, Manora beads, Khlong Ranot Floating Market, and Phra Mae Phosop Circle. The Floating Raft tradition has over 100 years of history where people create floats to carry objects and float them out to sea, reflecting Thai beliefs. The rituals span two days - chanting to bring in the new year on the night of December 31; alms offerings on the morning of January 1; parading and floating rafts in the afternoon. Key cultural sites formed a cultural database. Three tourism routes were mapped: 1) January 1 - Visit Wat Wari Pamokkha, Wat Hua Pa, stay overnight at Baan Khao homestay, visit Chaloem Phra Kiat Bridge; 2) Visit Khlong Ranot Floating Market, Wat Sala Dhamma, Phra Mae Phosop Circle, Wat Ranot, Arts and Culture Center, Baan Roy Paet Sao, see Manora beads, Chaloem Phra Kiat Bridge. Afternoon of December
31 - visit Wat Wari Pamokkha; 3) Visit Chaloem Phra Kiat Bridge, Irrigation Project, Wat Hua Pa, see Manora beads, Ta Kria Liquor, Baan Roy Paet Sao, Wat Sala Dhamma. And in the afternoon of December 31 - visit Wat Wari Pamokkha. Recommendations to promote cultural tourism include invitation and publicity to encourage participation; budget support; tourism promotion; and capacity building of locals, government, private sector, businesses and tourists to fulfil their roles and duties.