Potential and Opportunity for Developing Community Tourism Based on Local Legends, The Legend of Phra Ruang, Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province

Abstract

This article aimed (1) to study the history of the community based on the Phra Ruang legend in the Si Satchanalai District; (2) to analyze the potential and opportunities for developing community tourism based on the Phra Ruang legend in the Si Satchanalai District; and (3) to create a community tourism route based on the local legend. Data were collected with 5 local scholars and 15 community leaders, selected specifically. The tools used for data collection were interviews and focus group guidelines. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The results of the study found that the legend of Phra Ruang and the travel route according to the legend of Phra Ruang includes Phra That Mutao in the area of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Ratchaworawihan. Kaeng Luang is in the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. The legend of Phra Ruang that appears in the Sarachit subdistrict is a story about Phra Ruang following his lover, Nang Kham, to various places. Until it appeared that it was the naming of places and villages according to legends, including Nasammum, Sawannongkham, Bansaentor, Bansamlum, Nangkham cave, Nong Chorakhe, Bancook, and Bansarachit. Potential and opportunities for development Local legends, the legend of Phra Ruang, appear to have evidence of connections that can actually be found are interesting and spread out in various places of the community. If it is developed into a tourist destination with community participation, it will cause income distribution and sustainable development of community tourism. There are 3 tourism routes that can be connected according to the legend of Phra Ruang, consisting of 1) The legend of Phra Ruang Si Satchanalai is connected to the legend of Phra Ruang of Sukhothai, Sukhothai Historical Park 2) The legend of Phra Ruang Si Satchanalai is connected to the Si Satchanalai Historical Park and 3) The legend of Phra Ruang Si Satchanalai is connected to the legend of Phra Ruang Muang Nakhon Chum, Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park. The problems and obstacles of development are the lack of systematic collection of local legend knowledge and the lack of integration in the development of joint tourism between communities along the legendary route.