Abstract:
The objectives of this study are 1) Studying about cultural sources of Pathumthani province. 2) Ordering availability as well as studying strengths and limitations of the traveled places. 3) Studying potential of an art and cultural tourist market and 4) Proposing the appropriate ways to develop and improve the cultural sources. The 630 questionnaires about ideas and attitudes to the tourist were collected as a study method. There were five sample groups such as local people of the study area, tourists in Ayudhaya, Nontaburi, and Pathumthani as well as tourist companies. Study results illustrated high tourist demand on the companies and tourists. The tourists could be divided into 4 groups, temple and river sided community group, archeological source group, Sam-Koke city group, and Pathumthani city group. The source which is the highest level of availability is Pathumthani city group, basic structures are available but do not have enough beautiful environment. Secondly, temple and river sided community group that has Chao-phraya river tourism as strength but water-route transportation is a major problem. Thirdly, Sam-Koke city group that is popular in the Mon's culture and life style, but, however, infra structures and facilities are not ready. Finally, archeological source group that has strength in being historical remains; nevertheless, basic structures and facilities are also in a low level. The potential of an art and cultural tourist market study has been revealed by many areas of potentials can be developed include tourist places, potential of the places themselves, tourist demand, and image of the places to be the valuable tourist as well. Limitations in budget and time are the serious obstacles of cultural development. Therefore, an order of priority should have been evaluated as 3 major phases. The first stage: Stressed mainly at a river tourism in a temple and river sided community group. The early period of the second stage: Sight-seeing improvement and major tourist centre development in Pathumthani city group. The late period of the second stage: Stressed at cultural and life style tourism of Sam-Koke city group. The third stage: Interested in basic structures and facilities for tourists in archeological source group as well as building a historical park