Abstract:
The aims of this research were 1) to study community participation 2) to study cultural-based tourism resources of the community and 3) to develop a model for cultural tourism with community participation, Udonthani province. Using a community forum on target group from 4 villages of Muanpan sub-districtt including Ban Tiew Moo 6, Ban Mai Moo2, Ban Mai Moo 13 and Ban Chomsri Moo 1 plus a participatory observation to build community participation and identify community cultural resources. Indepth-Interview was conducted to 5 local authorities involving cultural tourism and16 elderly community members. Workshop was held at a conference room of the Phu Pra Bat historical Park where triangulation data was assumed with target group of 49 people attended. It was found that the target group would like to participate in cultural tourism and to work together in operating practice process. From the workshop, they could perform a setting up of the sub-groups for different responsibilities including a weaving course for learning, food preparing, tour guiding and accommodation in order to welcoming their visitors/tourists. From the research process if was found that with diversity of cultural resources, Udonthani province is capable to develop a cultural tourism with community participation at Muangpan sub-district to meet a tourism destination competitiveness especially when a cloth weaving was designed a new pattern after a renow U-sa s stone tower image initiated according to this research . This is a new innovation and brand indentifying for the tourism destination to be attractive more. Keywords: Cultural Tourism, Community participation, Udonthani province, Thailand