Designing Activities through the Utilization of Cultural Capital for the Development of Cultural Tourism: A Case Study of the Wax Castle Procession Tradition of Wat ThaKok Kae Community, TanDiao Subdistrict, LomSak District, Phetchabun Province

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The study “Designing Creative Cultural Activities Based on Cultural Capital for the Development of Cultural Tourism: A Case Study of the Wax Castle Procession of Wat Tha Kok Kae Community, Tan Diao Subdistrict, Lom Sak District, Phetchabun Province” is grounded in the significance of the Wax Castle Procession as an intangible cultural heritage that reflects the identity, beliefs, and collective engagement of the local community. The tradition possesses strong potential for sustainable cultural tourism development. The objectives of the research are: (1) to examine the characteristics and processes of the Wax Castle Procession in BanThaKokKae community; (2) to study the forms of cultural capital associated with the procession; and (3) to design tourism activities based on cultural capital to enhance cultural learning experiences. The findings are expected to support culturally grounded tourism development and the long-term preservation of the local tradition.

Methodology: This qualitative research employed documentary review, local archival study, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation of actual ritual practices in BanThaKokKae. Purposive sampling was used to select 40 key informants, including monks, local sages, community leaders, lay devotees, and youth representatives. The data were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis to identify the cultural capital embedded in the Wax Castle Procession. The analyzed results were then synthesized to design culturally appropriate creative activities for the development of cultural tourism in the area.

Results: The research revealed that The Wax Castle Procession tradition of the BanTha KokKae community is rooted in the indigenous Isan worldview, which integrates Theravada Buddhist beliefs with ancestral spirit veneration. Its core belief structure comprises three elements: the merit-making tradition of the End of Buddhist Lent, the dedication of merit to ancestors, and local cosmological concepts. This tradition functions as a holistic cultural system that interweaves religion, social relations, artistic expression, and community identity. It is enacted through processions, traditional dances, and folk music, all of which serve as symbolic ritual performances. The study identifies four key categories of cultural capital: intellectual capital, cultural and ritual capital, social capital and community participation, and environmental capital. These encompass artisanal knowledge, the transmission of belief systems, intergenerational solidarity, and the spatial context that supports ritual practices. Drawing on these cultural assets, three groups of cultural tourism activities were designed: (1) learning-oriented activities such as workshops and demonstrations of wax castle construction, (2) experiential activities such as participation in processions and rituals, and (3) tourism-enhancement activities such as exhibitions and community-based cultural routes. Collectively, these activities enrich visitor experiences and support the sustainable continuation of the community’s cultural identity.

Conclusion: This study reveals that the Prasat Phueng procession is a cultural system that interlinks belief, artistry, social relationships, local wisdom, and the environment. Designing cultural tourism activities grounded in these cultural assets can enhance community pride, support the transmission of traditional knowledge, and foster sustainable tourism development