Abstract:
The objectives of this research were 1)to study Buddhist tourism
management process in Thailand 2) to study and survey Buddhist tourism roots in
regional of Thailand that related with historical tourism activities, Buddhist culture
and social development and 3) to analyze relations system and tourist impacts to
Buddhist culture in Thailand. It was mixed methodology
research between qualitative and quantitative approach; collecting and analyzing
data from samples such as monk, tourist related entrepreneur, qualified professional,
tourism academic, and tourist both local and foreigner totaling 400 persons in each
region by using in-depth interviews, participant observations, focus group and
academics seminar as a study instruments. Thereafter, analyzing all gathering data
from research methodology by utilizing basic statistics methods i.e. frequency
distribution, measures of central tendency, percentage, measure of dispersion; in
order to explain basic data in this research. Finally, analyzing and qualitative
synthesis through critical thinking to demonstrate
The results were: Firstly the Buddhist tourism management process in
Thailand emphasis management processes by tourist industrial networks and
temples, however that management processes still lack of link to knowledge
management such as laws, human resources, historical and Buddhist value. Through
the research found 4 types of the Buddhist tourism management process in Thailand
are emphasis by festival, community networks, enterprise networks and integration
management. Secondly to study and survey Buddhist tourism roots found that the
roots of Buddhist tourism in Thailand still lack of holistic integration to knowledge
management that can be for sustainable development to communities, Natural Resources and Environment including economics system. By the way Buddhist
tourism in Thailand has opportunity and readiness for more advance development.
By cooperate with tourist organizations and stability of economic, politic and society.
In order that can separated the Buddhist tourism roots as follows; history and culture
in Buddhist tourism roots; knowledge management and modern administration in
Buddhist tourism roots; and Buddhist art in Buddhist tourism roots. And thirdly
relations and impacts of tourism activities to Buddhist culture in Thailand. This
research found that Buddhist tourism rises up the opportunities to develop human
capability of Sangha organizations also developing the physical environment and
support Buddhist art in the temples. Moreover to supports income to temple,
communities and Buddhist tourism enterprises. However, this research found
Buddhist tourism should beware of impacts as follows; local art preservation entire
of Buddhist perspective and local cultural value. As well as to protect Buddhist
tourist for transformation of goods and services. Including should develop a
knowledge management and sustainable development for Buddhist tourist.
The study suggests that the stakeholder organizations entire Buddhist
organizations, government organization and enterprise network should interest in
knowledge particularly developing that relate with Buddhist tourism entire Sangha
organization's rule as far as Buddhist and culture tourism networks cooperation. To
determines strategies and direction for the future. In particularly for reaching to
ASEAN community and tourists expansion impacts. So the stakeholder organizations
should assessment in long-term impacts therefore can upgrade the Buddhist tourism
in Thailand to international standard.