PREPARATION OF CHINESE TOURIST GUIDES FOR MERCHANTS IN THE RIVER KWAI BRIDGE AREA IN KANCHANABURI

Abstract

          The objectives of this research were 1) to create a Chinese language tourism manual for merchants in the River Kwai Bridge area, Kanchanaburi province, 2) to compare the Chinese language proficiency of the sample group before and after self-study the manual, and 3) to assess the users’ satisfaction after using the manual. The sample group comprised 60 merchants in the River Kwai Bridge area. The research tools consisted of a general data survey form, a content survey form, a manual performance assessment form, an achievement test before and after studying the manual, and a satisfaction assessment form. The data were analyzed using the statistical devices of percentage, mean, standard deviation and content analysis, and presented in a descriptive format.

            The findings were as follows:

            1) A Chinese language tourism manual for merchants in the River Kwai Bridge area was produced, and 60 copies were distributed to the sample group.

            2) The sample group’s scores from the achievement test after studying the manual were higher than the scores they made before studying the manual.

            3) The users’ satisfaction towards the manual in overall was at the highest level, followed by their satisfaction towards the manual because they could make use of it, and by their satisfaction towards the manual because it was helpful in their communication with Chinese tourists.