Development of the Potential of Cultural and Historical Tourist Attractions in the Old Songkhla Town, Laem Son Peninsula, Singhanakhon District, Songkhla Province

Abstract

This research aims 1) to study the potential of cultural tourism and historical sites, and 2) to develop guidelines for enhancing the potential of cultural tourism and historical sites in the Laem side of Songkhla Old Town. The study employed a qualitative research design through document review, field surveys, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. The sample consisted of 100 key informants, comprising local residents and tourists in the area, selected through purposive sampling. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis and spatial comparative analysis.

The research findings revealed that: 1) The Laem side of Songkhla Old Town possesses outstanding potential in terms of cultural and historical resources, which can be categorized into three main aspects: (1) Accessibility and connectivity, which are still lacking in terms of a continuous and efficient internal linkage system; (2) Tourist attraction, which lacks creative activities that clearly convey cultural identity and values; and (3) Facilities, which remain insufficient and do not fully meet current tourist needs, particularly in basic infrastructure such as navigation systems, restrooms, and parking areas. And 2) The proposed development guidelines from the study suggest integrating infrastructure culture and community participation. This includes establishing a comprehensive linkage system among tourist sites, designing tourism activities that provide immersive cultural experiences, and upgrading facilities to be appropriate to the local context. The new knowledge gained from this study can be applied in policy-making and strategic planning for sustainable cultural tourism development at both community and national levels.