Tourism Potential of Rai Sin Sompong in Phu Chang Noi, Chiyabhum Province for Creative Community-Based Tourism Development Based on the King’s Philosophy and Innovative Lifestyle Trend

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate Rai Sin Sompong in Phu Chang Noi, Chaiyaphum Province in terms of 1) the situation of the tourist attraction, 2) the tourism potential for creative community-based tourism development, and 3) the guideline for creative community-based tourism development. The research practically carried out as a mixed-method study—the quantitative data collected from doing the questionnaire from 149 people. The qualitative data were obtained from a semi-structured interview with the participants, including one representative from the government organizations and private sectors, two staffs from Rai Sin Sompong, one community leader, and five community members. The collected data were statistically analyzed to find Mean and Standard Deviation. The questionnaire used to compute Item-total Correlation, Alpha Coefficient, and Factor Analysis regards the quality of tools. The interview from applied to monitor Content Analysis.

The research outcome found that 1) the situation in Rai Sin Sompong at Phu Chang Noi, Chaiyaphum Province was a high plateau covering 40 Rai of the ebony forest. A population of 884 people and plenty of natural-born and artificial resources could create creative community-based tourism management activities. 2) Rai Sin Sompong could be a creative tourist’s attraction following the king’s philosophy and Innovation of Cultural Diplomacy in which the Area, Management, Activity and Procedure, and Participation were all rated with a high score. 3) creating the guideline for creative tourism should be required to allow the community members to 1) create the tourism developmental plan for their community; 2) collaborate with the government organization in providing the tourists with necessary facilities and infrastructure; 3) propose their community-based tourism development plan to have the financial support from the government; 4) implant their members with a good sense of local resource preservation and Participation in all activities in their community; 5) work together with the experts to help them understand more about tourism management and planning; 6) implant the members with love and care for their hometown and encourage them to join all activities for the community development, and 7)train the members with service mind to serve the tourists for their satisfaction and impression.