MURAL PAINTING: DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL TOURISM PUBLIC RELATIONS WAT PA LELAI WORAWIHAN, MUANG DISTRICT, SUPHANBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to investigate the background and importance of mural painting, its problems of public relations and its problem solving approaches to develop the cultural tourism public relations about a Folk Epic of Khun Chang-Khun Paen in Wat Pa Lelai Worawihan, Muang District, Suphan Buri Province. The researcher employed a mixed method studies through the Explanatory Stepwise Research. The first step was a quantitative research by applying questionnaire conducted with tourists visiting the mural painting. The second step was a qualitative research to more evidently clarify results through purposively sampling. 11 samples were a monk, 2 temple committee members, a cultural scholar, a tourism scholar, five mass media, a tourist representative and a community intellectual. The instruments for data collection were the informal interview format, focus groups, and workshops. The researcher found that its background and significance were inaugurated in the Abbot Term of His Most Ven. Phradhamma Mahaviranuvattara and completed in the Abbot Term of His Most Ven. Phradhepsuwannamolee in 2004. The mural contained 60 paintings about the Sepha Literature of Khun Chang-Khun Paen painted by Muangsingh Janchaai. They provided the past of the Thais because they collected the Thai customs and cultures from national unto the local levels. They were the important sources to learn about Thailand where the Thai later generations should learn about their identities of Thainess. With regards to public relations on printed matters, personal media, audio visual aids and mass media were at moderate level of 3.30, 3.30, 2.90 and 2.95 by average, respectively. The problem of printed matters was the most critical which required public relations emphasizing the mural painting by personal media and audio visual aids. The approaches to the external development demanded organizing training and seminars on communication for public relations in printed matters through inviting keynote speakers for knowledge and training. As of the internal elements, they required development, and supports through providing knowledge and training, creation of understanding public relations, organizing activities, creating networks for connection and creating more media about the mural painting, intimacy of external public relations, the temple personnel, provisions of brochures, websites, page groups, PR billboards, exhibitions and activities about the Folk Epic of Khun Chang-Khun Paen during the Songkran Day, Mahacharti Sermon Days, the 10^th Lunar Month Sart Day, and the Tourist Guide Training.