Head of Sub-Project 3

Assistant Professor Sirivilai Teerarojanarat, Ph.D.

Co-researchers

• Punthumadee Katawandee, Ph.D.
  Department of Commerce, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy
• Chanita Duangyiwa
  Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts
• Areerut Patnukao
  Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts

Principles and Reasons

Each geographical area has its own unique distinctiveness. The geography of Amphoe Dan Chang, Suphan Buri and Amphoe Ban Rai, Uthai Thani is marked by a long mountain range from north to south with fertile forest and is considered to be an area of biological diversity and ecosystems. The west of Amphoe Ban Rai is a part of the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary with the adjoining Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. It has been declared "a World Heritage Site" by the United Nations. In addition, it is also the area where Phu Toei National Park is located. Inside the park's boundaries are the Ong Phra Forest, the Khao Phu Rakam Forest, and the Khao Huai Phlu Forest of Amphoe Dan Chang, Suphan Buri Province as well as the Tham Khao Wong Forest Park of Amphoe Ban Rai, Uthai Thani. Well-known natural tourist attractions are, for example, the Khao Tham Taphap cave, the Khao Wong cave, the Khao Phu Wai, the Taphoen Khi waterfall and the Phu Krathing waterfall. The Pinus Merkusii, the tropical mountain pine, is also found in this area at an altitude of 763 metres above sea level, although the species normally grows in mountainous areas with a height of more than 1,000 metres above sea level. It is the only natural pine forest in the central part of Thailand and is considered as very interesting both from the aspect of tourism and natural resources for learning.

According to archaeological evidence, the area of Amphoe Dan Chang can be traced back as far as the Neolithic Age. The ancient local community called the Ban Ka Rung is also found in Amphoe Ban Rai with a history of more than 1,000 years. It is a place where a variety of racial groups, namely, the Karen, the Khmu, and the Lawa as well as the Thais have resided. This has caused a diversity of distinctive languages, ways of life and cultures, which are worth studying, gathering evidence about and preserving.

Efficient communication and transportation have currently made access to the area easier. As a result, the unique identities of the area such as its physical features, languages, ways of life, society, traditions and culture may be changed. Responding to the dynamic growth in tourism, this project has been initiated with the following aims:

1. to study, gather and analyze data in spatial dimensions which are: physical features, ecology, community relationships, the cultural diversity of racial groups including historical sources. These are considered to be ways of assisting to inculcate the spirit of their unique identity as well as to establish their pride and the preservation of racial exclusivity; and
2. to analyze the information acquired from the study in order to define spatial values and determine the ways of achieving the development of balanced tourism. That is, to focus on resource preservation together with the application of marketing strategies. The benefits will be, for example, a higher income for the people in the community who consequently will have the dignity of self-reliance. The tourists will also be given an impressive experience and finally, any negative impact which may occur on tourist resources will decrease.

The 2 significant keys of the project are mainly:

1. to study pluralism in language, culture and history. In analyzing the way to develop tourism, integration of the knowledge acquired from different fields of study such as linguistics, geography (content and technique) and commerce (tourism/marketing) is highlighted.
2. to emphasize the use of geographical techniques, particularly, the Global Position System (GPS) and the Global Information System (GIS). The GPS is implemented for enhancing the efficiency of access to the area, field sampling, and mapping. The GIS, on the other hand, is implemented for increasing the efficiency of integrating knowledge of different areas of study, storing databases, analyzing and displaying results of area survey including the creation of outcome mapping.

Expected Benefits

1. to build a research group on the basis of interdisciplinary cooperation;
2. to exchange knowledge and technical assistance with those in different fields of study;
3. to promote the use of geographical technology in knowledge integration across different areas of study , namely, linguistics, tourism and marketing;
4. to encourage the community of the area to understand and realize the awareness of cultural conservation;
5. to maintain local wisdom and the natural condition of the area;
6. to serve as a case study for totally balanced development of tourism. The emphasis is on the conservation of resources and the application of marketing strategies in order to create more income for the people of the community, to encourage them to have the dignity of self-reliance and to reduce any negative impact that might occur on tourist resources.
7. to stimulate the development of tourism in Suphan Buri and Uthai Thani