PROMOTING THE BUDDHIST CULTURA TOURISM BASED ON THE COMMUNITY CULTURAL IN SRI CHIANG MAI DISTRICT, NONG KHAI PROVINCE

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept of Buddhist cultural tourism in Theravada Buddhism in the upper area of Nong Khai province, the province in the northeast plateau of Thailand, to examine the current situation of Buddhist cultural tourism in the area, and to propose guidelines for promoting Buddhist cultural tourism in the area. The data in this study was compiled through documentary analysis and in-depth interviews, using a qualitative research methodology. The result indicated that Buddhism has had a significant impact on world culture, and it also has an impact on the liberation of people's thoughts and actions in the community. This is to say that, Buddhist cultural tourism is a form of activity that is relevant to Buddhist traditions that contribute to the propagation of Buddhist doctrines and the sustainability of Buddhism. In the current condition, there are activities on sustainable promotion of both conservation and inheritance in cooperation with Government agencies in the area which have integrated with the tourism context of the area. Moreover, religious tourist sites are key tourism costs in Thailand since they are cultural resources. This is a charm that attracts both Thai and foreign tourists, reflecting the uniqueness of the local people's history, way of life, and gorgeous traditions. In the study area, promoting Buddhist cultural tourism is a collaborative effort between the government, the private sector, and the community to build a sustainable Buddhist cultural tourism promotion model that provides both tangible and intangible benefits for the community, tourists, and all stakeholders in the tourism industry.