Sukonta Sorthip. Community and tourism development in Don Wai Market, Tambon Bangkratuk, Amphoe Samphran, Nakhonpathom province . Master's Degree(Rural Development Studies). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2004.
Community and tourism development in Don Wai Market, Tambon Bangkratuk, Amphoe Samphran, Nakhonpathom province
Abstract:
This study investigated the local history, economic conditions, and social and cultural
aspects of Don Wai community. The researcher also investigated the historical aspect of Don
Wai market community to learn more specifics of its background and development. Research
involved observation of operations of the market committee and market members. The aim
was to gain knowledge on the nature and significance of participation in tourism development.
Data and information gathering was from a literature review, field study, and in-depth
interviews.
The results showed that Don Wai community learns by it own experience and operates
through stages of participation, firstly, the Initiation Stage, involving a design for tourism
development by the community itself through organizational structure. Stage 2 is the Joint
Act/Operating Stage; designing the role and responsibility of relevant parties. The Benefit
Gaining and/or Burden Taking Stage is the evaluating and identifying of any
problem/obstacle, and solution seeking. The next stage is a Planning Participation Stage,
which includes analysis for future trends in tourism development with a view to coping with
any uncertainty/problem; this stage provides early warning and preparation for both short and
long term projects. These stages reflect the self-administration processes and elements of
participation in tourism development that a community possesses. They reveal that the nature
of participation at Don Wai has the following elements: 1. Sense of ownership in Don Wai
community; members of Don Wai have a close community relationship where each member
feels responsible and wants to develop the community. 2. Self designed community rules
based on cooperation; the community has its own rules and norms for cooperation and
participation within their community. This prevents serious conflicts that are difficult to
reconcile. 3. Leaders encourage change: There are local leaders in the community who possess
high morals and integrity, each a keen visionary, who is respected among other community
members. They are continually contributing to groundwork for community preparation for
tourism development. 4. Social infrastructure that always encourages villagers to become a
community volunteer, the infrastructure provides public space in the temple grounds for
discussion of activities. This infrastructure enables Don Wai community to become dynamic
with members coming together and raising, discussing and embracing tourism in their
business. 5. Central community role; despite empowering by law the sub-district
administration organization does not fully exercise its power but leaves the community a
meaningful role in decision making. The sub-district administration organization only takes a
supporting role. 6. Common group awareness; the community is aware of its encounters, and
community members collectively take efforts on them, and never wait for any organization to
solve it for them. 7. Community realization; through idea sharing and experience, issues of the
community are decided upon collectively.