Nakhon Chum Ancient City: History and Enhancing the Potential for Creative Cultural Tourism

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were 1) to study the context, history, and significance of the Nakhon Chum ancient city; 2) to enhance the potential for creative cultural tourism; and 3) to create a network for creative cultural tourism. The research was a mixed-methods approach, combining documentary research, qualitative research, and action research. Data was collected through interviews with 20 key informants and focus group discussions with 10 experts. Data was analyzed using content analysis. The action research involved conducting workshops with 100 participants. Data was analyzed using project evaluation. The research findings revealed that 1) Nakhon Chum is a historic city that has served as a major commercial center and a significant Buddhist landmark since the Sukhothai era. It was home to the Sacred Bodhi Tree, brought from Sri Lanka during the Sukhothai period, and the Great Pagoda which enshrined the Buddha's holy relics. Later, during the Ayutthaya period, it became an important strategic city. Today, it was part of Kamphaeng Phet province and was a major agricultural trading center in the upper central region; 2) enhancing the potential for creative cultural tourism in the Nakhon Chum ancient city included  2.1) knowledge transfer, 2.2) tourism activity organization, 2.3) enhancement of attractions, 2.4) accommodation arrangements, 2.5) facility provision, 2.6) community-based tourism management; and 3) strengthening the creative cultural tourism network of Nakhon Chum City, which included 3.1) developing the potential of the participatory network, providing information, soliciting feedback, offering consultations, joint planning, and getting involved and participating in the operation ; and 3.2) the creative cultural tourism network process comprised collaborative thinking processes, collaborative awareness-building processes, and collaborative development processes.