TOURISM LOGISTICS LINKAGE THAILAND-LAOS ALONG THE MEKONG RIVER: A CASE STUDY OF MUKDAHAN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE-SAVAN SENO AND NAKHON PHANOM-THAKHEK

Abstract

The investigators aimed to study tourism logistics linkage Thailand-Laos along the Mekong River, Mukdahan Special Economic Zone-Savan Seno and Nakkon Phanom-Thakhek, by using tourism logistics system viewing that the tourism logistics was a major process linking various activities along tourism route. This led the tourism to be in progress from starting point to destination and received the tourists’ highest level of satisfaction. This research used both qualitative research and quantitative research methods. Qualitative research methods proceeded by using the survey process and interviewing stakeholders who were important persons. For quantitative research method, the questionnaire was used to collect statistical data. Before analyzing descriptive data again to write a research report for the purpose. The research findings could be concluded in 4 issues as follows: 

            Firstly, there was no congruence between some systems of tourism logistics in Mukdahan and Nakon Phanom, and Kammuan and Savan-Seno. Secondly, with respect to the evaluation in 14 indicators of tourism logistics in Nakon Phanom and Mukdahan provinces, it found that both provinces had some indicators which were not ready including 1) the public internet service in tourism location, 2) the nursing point service/medical unit, 3) the alternative energy use in tourism location, and 4) the greeting place for tourists and resting point for tourists. The major causes of being not ready was that there was no provincial policy in development plan of tourism logistics in tourism location.  Thirdly, some points in tourism logistics system were not ready.  As a result, the movement of tourism policy linkage Thailand-Laos could not develop the cooperation with full potentiality.  Consequently, the implementation of no edge pint in linkage policy between the Thai government and the Laos government was slow.  Fourthly, according to the research finding analysis of Nakon Phanom and Mukdahan cities, it found that there were differences since Nakon Phanom was the city that tourism was dominant than trade.  But, Mukdahan was the city that trade was more dominant than tourism.  It was necessary for both cities to determine the provincial developmental plan being congruent with city character.  

          The recommendations of this study were: 1) Nakon Phanom and Mukdahan provinces should establish all of 14 indicators in the tourism logistics developmental plan, and 2) the implementation area should be determined in major tourism places for being a prototype in 2 locations: 1. Phra That Phanom, Thatphanom District, Nakon Phanom Province and 2. Somdejya Park, Dontal District, Mukdahan Province. In addition, both provinces should specify the guidelines or directions for city development to be congruent with economic, social, cultural, and political conditions: Nakon Phanom was the city that tourism was dominant than trade, and Mukdahan was the city that trade was more dominant than tourism.