Strengthening Local Communities along Nakhon Chaisri River Bank in Nakhon Pathom Province for Tourism and the Launch of the ASEAN Community

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) to study the readiness for the launch of the ASEAN Community and the participation of local communities in developing a tourism along Nakhon Chaisri river bank 2) to study the tourists’ satisfaction towards tourism along Nakhon Chaisri river bank 3) to gather data of cultural learning sites and forms of tourism along Nakhon Chaisri river bank, Nakhon Pathom Province. The instruments used for collecting data were questionnaires, interview and observation. The research findings were as follows: 1. Most of the entrepreneur samples had known that Thailand would become part of the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015 through television, radio, newspaper. Most samples had never taken any English courses. However, if English courses were offered, they would like to improve English in listening and speaking skills. 2. The level of tourist samples’ overall satisfaction towards tourism along Nakhon Chaisri river bank at Wat LamPhaya Floating Market was at a much level. However, the level of samples’ overall satisfaction towards tourism along Nakhon Chaisri river bank at Wat Don Wai Market and Wat Klang Ku Wieng Floating Market was at a medium level. 3. Regarding a participation of local people for a tourism development along Nakhon Chaisri river bank, the level of samples’ overall participation at Wat LamPhaya Floating Market was at a much level while the level of samples’ overall participation at Wat Don Wai Market and Wat Klang Ku Wieng Floating Market was at a medium level. 4. The cultural learning sites along Nakhon Chaisri river bank consisted of temples, museums and floating markets. All of them had interesting authentic historical backgrounds, different races, and different cultures. In addition, there were two forms of cultural tourism along Nakhon Chaisri river bank: 1 day trip and 2 days+1 night trip. The research findings disclosed that there was a valuable cultural capital in these communities along the river bank. If all sectors paid attention for the significance of cultural capital, used it for tourism development and participated to build networks for the launch of the ASEAN