Potential of Community-based Tourism Management of Thai-Lao Border Villages of UbonRatchathani Province, Thailand and of Champasak Province of Lao PDR

Abstract

This research investigated potentials in community-based tourism management of ThaiLao Border villages of Ubon Ratchathani Province in Thailand and Champasak Province in Lao
PDR. Twenty key informants, purposively selected, 10 from each village, included villagers,
community leaders, governmental representatives, private sectors, and involved bodies from
Thalong Village, Huay Pai subdistrict, Khong Chiam district, Ubon Ratchathani province in
Thailand and from Sula Village, Sanasomboon district, Champasak province in Lao PDR. In-depth
interviews were employed in the data collection. These were done through self-survey in
community-based tourism. If the targeted people were found not to be able to read, the researcher
read it for them; their answers were recorded and written by the researcher’s assistants. Besides the
interviews, participatory observation in tourism activities was also utilized. Data were analyzed by
using 3 potential of community-based components as the content framework. It consisted of (1)
natural and cultural tourism products and, (2) administration organization, and (3) learning
activity. The findings showed that both villages from Thailand and from Lao PDR were similar in
rich of natural and cultural tourism products. This was derived from their geographical features,
situating on the Mekong River bank. Their cultural practice was also alike. This came from the
integration of two cultures: the Bru of Thalong and Hid-Sib-Song-Kong-Sibsi of Lower Laos.
Therefore, tourism activities held for tourists were similar as well. Indeed, there had been
the stations for learning about nature, that is, mountains, caves, forests, and the river, including the
cultures and ways of life of the villagers. For the organization and management, the village in
Thailand was found to be better in preparedness than that in Lao PDR.