World Heritage City and Cultural Identity for Tourism: A Case Study of Muangkao, Sukhothai Province

Abstract

This research article aimed to study the context of the area leading to the search for cultural identity around Old City Subdistrict Sukhothai Province. The result of the study found that the context of the area was the location of the first kingdom of Thailand with named "The Dawn of Happiness". Nowadays Sukhothai is one of tourist destination of the world. The identity of the area is both tangible cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage including with the community has a cultural heritage identity that can be divided into 3 aspects as follows: 1) Craft and Folk Arts Cultural Identity is outstanding in the local wisdom of creating the arts work such as Sukhothai pottery (Sangkhalok), wood carving, the Pra Ruang menus of the Ban Muang Kao community also buddha amulets of Ban Chetuphon community. These are reflecting the identity of local wisdom culture within terms of Experiencing Tourism Value. 2) Cultural Landscape Identity which means outstanding geographical-cultural area related to wisdom and knowledge to build the ancient old town, old city walls and the ancient dam (Phra Ruang Dam) were linked to the beautiful landscape and nature of Khao Luang Sukhothai or Ramkhamhaeng National Park named of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great that reflects the cultural landscape of Ban Monkhiri community to create for Recreational Tourism Value. 3) Historical - Sociocultural Identity means prominence as a historical site. It was originated of settlement of Sukhothai’s community in the past and found many ancient kilns that used to be the production of Sukhothai pottery. Nowadays, the Ban Si Chum community has become an important source of educational learning area, reflects the ancient and prosperous Sukhothai civilization which has now become educational learning area to create for Historical Tourism Value.