Lanna Modernization in Extension Route: Enhancing Creative Tourism Initiatives along the Lampang-Phrae-Uttaradit-Phitsanulok Railway Route in Northern Thailand
Keywords:
Railroad tourism, Creative tourism, Route pattern and service initiatives, State railways of ThailandAbstract
This research aimed to expand and enhance the creative tourism route along the State Railways of Thailand's northern railway line, specifically extending the previous Chiang Mai-Lampang route to include Phrae, Uttaradit, and Phitsanulok provinces. Through this route expansion, the study focused on improving route configurations and introducing novel products and services aligned with creative tourism objectives. Through a mixed-method approach, the study integrated multiple data collection strategies from a total of 274 individuals: in-depth interviews with 35 key informants, focus group discussions involving 65 participants by purposive selection, meanwhile, the quantitative component, 174 respondents were selected from a finite population of 320 tourists through non-probability quota sampling, with the sample size determined using Krejcie and Morgan's table. These respondents were all tourists who had purchased commercial railroad travel experiences in 2023. These qualitative and quantitative methodologies, alongside participatory action research principles and field studies, provided comprehensive insights into the development of creative tourism initiatives. Rigorous validation processes ensured the 0.84 reliability test of research instruments. The analysis revealed an extension of the route from a previous study on the Chiang Mai to Lampang railway journey in Northern Thailand, encompassing Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, and Phitsanulok Provinces, highlights the historical essence of rail travel and introduces creative tourism activities, fostering a deep connection with the region's culture. Continuous feedback gathering ensured an audience-centric experience, inspiring curiosity and engagement among travelers. Novel products and services were developed, reflecting the distinct identities of the provinces and reimagining them to align with the region's cultural landscape. This immersive journey celebrates the area's rich heritage and diversity. The study's findings can inform future endeavors in creative tourism development, enhancing travel experiences along the Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok railway journey.
References
Assawangkul, C. (2012). Lanna colonial: A charm from yesterday. Within Book.
Bayraktar, Y., & Selçuk, G. (2022). Train tourism in the context of experiential tourism: The example of the Touristic Eastern Express travel. Journal of Tourism and Gastronomy Studies, 10(2), 1436–1463.https://doi.org/10.21325/jotags.2022.1051
Chongvatana, P. (1974). Disputes of British subjects against the chiefs of Chiengmai resulting in the Siamese government taking over the administration of North West Siam (Payab Circle) (1858–1902 A.D.) [Master’s thesis, Chulalongkorn University]. Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD). https://doi.org/10.58837/CHULA.THE.1974.278
Choochat, C. (1982). Cattle traders: Pioneers of trade in the northern villages of Thailand (B.E. 2398–2503). Ministry of Education.
Chudhavipata, W. (2009). Architecture in the reign of King Chulalongkorn: A turning point in Thai society. Chulalongkorn University.
Chutima, M. (2014). The management plan for “Baan Teuk” Luang Anusarnsoonthorn building compound, Chiang Mai, as historical monument and learning museum [Master’s thesis, Chiang Mai University]. Chiang Mai University.
Gauthier, V., Ragueb, G., & Luyce, F. X. (n.d.). The kougelhopf, a delicious Alsatian specialty. comme des Français. https://commedesfrancais.com/gb/story/decouvrez-le-kougelhopf
Hallett, H. S. (1890). A thousand miles on an elephant in the Shan states. W. Blackwood and Sons.
Kalaya, P., Tumtong, T., Maneethong, P., Mahittipong, P., Chanta, S., Wattapanich, P., Tawan, K., Sirithiti, K., & Unyaphan, S. (2022). A development of creative railroad tourism route and affiliate product beyond Lanna modernization era. Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC).
Katsoni, V., Amitabh, U., & Stratigea, A. (Eds.). (2016). Tourism, culture and heritage in a smart economy. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47732-9
Khrouthongkhieo, N., & Chularatana, J. (2014). The Siamese state and Lanna, 1874–1933. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(11), 63–77.
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Muenrad, N. (2002). The chronicle of the Khun Tan Tunnel construction. National Electronics and Computer Technology Center. https://www.nectec.or.th/schoolnet/library/create-web/10000/sociology/10000-2279.html
Ongsakul, S. (2009). Lanna history (6th ed.). Amarin.
Pine, B. J., II, & Gilmore, J. H. (2019). The experience economy: Competing for customer time, attention, and money. Harvard Business Press.
Rauscher, O. (2012). Social impact measurement and social return on investment (SROI) analysis. Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Richards, G. (2020). Designing creative places: The role of creative tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 85, Article 102922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.102922
Richards, G., & Raymond, C. (2020). Creative tourism: A review of recent developments. In J. M. Rickly & V. Vizcaino-Suárez (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of cultural tourism (pp. 109–120). Routledge.
Siri, C. (2007). The trade of the Lanna from the end of 13th to mid-16th centuries [Master’s thesis, Silpakorn University]. Silpakorn University.
Sukhavadhana, K. (1977). A study of the western architectural influences on styles of architecture in Thailand during A.D. 1665–1932 [Master’s thesis, Chulalongkorn University]. Chulalongkorn University.
Tan, S. K., Kung, S. F., & Luh, D. B. (2013). A model of “creative experience” in creative tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 41, 153–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2012.12.002
Thaidee, N. (2011). The railway station on the northern route centuries [Master’s thesis, Silpakorn University]. Silpakorn University.
Wongkhomthong, J., Pongudom, P., & Subjorphet, B. (2006). Christianity and Thai education. The Church of Christ in Thailand.
Wu, Y., Chen, J., & Qian, J. (2017). The experiences, practices and meanings from the perspective of mobilities: A case study of the train travel to Tibet. Tourism Tribune, 32(12), 17–27.
Zimmerman, C. C. (1931). Siam: Rural economic survey 1930–31. The Bangkok Times Press.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Multidisciplinary in Social Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
