Enhancing Cultural Innovation of 5 Ethnic Groups in Sakaeo Special Economic Zone

Abstract

The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to investigate cultures of the five ethnic groups in Sa Kaeo Special Economic Zone; and 2) to enhance the level of cultural innovation of the five ethnic groups in Sa Kaeo Special Economic Zone. The target group consisted of two groups: 1) five local scholars chosen by purposive sampling; and 2) five cultural scholars chosen by purposive sampling who enhanced the cultural innovation. The research instruments were interview form and focus group discussion. The obtained data were analyzed using content analysis.

From the study, the following results are found: In the Sa Kaeo Special Economic Zone, there are five ethnic groups, each of which has the process of creating and inheriting a distinct identity, including the enhancement of cultural innovation. Each ethnic group has the following guidelines: 1) Yo ethnic group who enhances their cultural innovation by incorporating the Wax Castle Festival into the local curriculum; 2) Lao ethnic group that promotes modernization of their traditional woven clothing to increase cultural innovation; 3) Khmer ethnic group who enhances cultural innovation by promoting their local plays and folk music as well as participatory cultural tourism; 4) Chinese ethnic group who enhances cultural innovation by promoting and organizing festivals that are distinct from those held by other Chinese ethnic groups; and 5) Vietnamese ethnic group who should promote food tourism in order to enhance cultural innovation.