The Community's Innovators: A Cultural Tourist Valuation of Ethnic Karen Tribes in Suphan Buri Province

Abstract

          This research aimed to achieve three objectives: 1) To investigate the cultural capital of the Karen ethnic group in Suphanburi Province, 2) To develop community innovators among the Karen people in Suphanburi, and 3) To create value for cultural tourism through community innovators of the Karen ethnic group in Suphanburi. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative research and participatory action research. The research was conducted in Wang Yao Sub-district, Dan Chang District, Suphanburi Province. A total of 30 informants participated in the study. The research tools included interviews and a community innovator development process. The researchers personally collected and analyzed the data, which were then used for a descriptive discussion of the findings and to provide recommendations. The research findings revealed that the Karen communities of Ban Kluay and Ban Huai Hin Dam possess significant cultural capital, including traditions, customs, ways of life, beliefs, and religion. This cultural capital has the potential to generate income for the community and can be further developed into a strong and stable cultural tourism destination. Furthermore, the members of the Ban Kluay and Ban Huai Hin Dam communities demonstrated a strong sense of volunteerism, skills, and readiness for development through the community innovator creation process. The study concluded that community innovators are capable of effectively driving community activities and creating value from their own cultural capital.