GUIDELINES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND PERPETUATION OF THAM KHWAN KHAO TRADITION TOWARDS CULTURAL COMMUNITY TOURISM, KHUAN CHALIK SUBDISTRICT, HUA SAI DISTRICT, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to study the context, history, and body of knowledge regarding the Tham Khwan Khao tradition, as well as the problems, needs, and guidelines for its conservation and perpetuation toward cultural community tourism in Khuan Chalik Subdistrict, Hua Sai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Data were collected from 45 Key informants selected through purposive and snowball sampling, using semi-structured in-depth interviews, focus group discussion, and field notes. The data were analyzed through content analysis and presented using descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that the Khwan Khao tradition in Khuan Chalik, which had previously disappeared, was revived by the Khuan Chalik Chalerm Raj Cultural Center. However, its still faces significant obstacles, including a lack of succession, the loss of intellectual heritage, the declining status of the farming profession, limited budget support, and a lack of integrated tourism management. Other challenges include insufficient communication and public relations, as well as impacts from government policies. Furthermore, there is a distinct need to conserve the Tham Khwan Khao tradition tradition through cultural community tourism. Proposed guidelines include pushing for policy inclusion in subdistrict and provincial strategic plans annually. It is also recommended to establish a dedicated working group and register the tradition as a provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage. These measures aim to achieve a sustainable between tradition conservation and cultural community tourism according to the CROPS Model, consists of: 1) Cultural Conservation and Cultural Community Tourism (C), 2) Revitalization and Resilience Creativity (R), 3) Outreach and Outgrowth (O), 4) Perpetuation and Partnerships (P) and 5) Strategic Plan development for Sustainable (S).