Abstract:
The objective of this research was: 1) to study community identity of the ancient town of U-Thong, a city located in Suphanburi province, and 2) to study the development of cultural tourism as influenced by and evolving alongside said identity. This study was conducted through qualitative research methods, namely participant observation, in-depth and structured interviews, and focused group discussion. The group of informants who participated in this study were comprised of local individuals, such as entrepreneurs, government officials, and academics specializing in architecture, all of whom possessed profound knowledge of local identity and culture, and had a longstanding history of community involvement in the town of U-Thong. Additionally, merchants and farmers acted as general informants for the purpose of this study. The age groups consisted of children, adolescents, adults, and seniors The study revealed that a significant portion of community identity in U-Thong was linked to and influenced by architecture, the structure of houses, and town planning. Noteworthy examples of such architecture, from which much of local identity was derived, include the wooden houses on Vinyanuyok road, historic ancient pagodas, Wat Pra Sri Sanphet Yaram and Wat Khao Thamthiem. In addition to houses and other forms of architecture, community identity in U-Thong was heavily linked to various artifacts, such as Thammachak and ancient beads, as well as the general way of life and various cultural traditions. For example, agriculture and craftsmanship were both of significant importance in the formation of community identity, such craftsmanship consisting of Buddha modeler and Buddha caster. Cultural tradition consisted of the Tak Bat Devo tradition at Wat Khao Thamthiem, the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Pra Sri Sanphet Yaram, and Lao Krang, the festival of Songkran involving a flag parade. The study further found that rituals and beliefs consisted of paying to the ghost master and ghost god of Lao Krang. Scholar Pheng Phuang Malai found, when analyzing cultural concepts and research criteria borrowed from the academic William D. Lipe, that community identity is deeply linked to architecture, historic sites, and cultural artifacts, traditions, and beliefs/rituals Various Promotion Guidelines pertaining to cultural tourism have been established in accordance with the above cultural identity of U-Thong. Taking strategic management approaches, SWOT Analysis Five Forces and BCG Growth - Share Matrix have collaborated to enumerate and carry out said guidelines. They are as following: 1) develop strategies of urban development by means of the conservation and restoration historic sites and their surrounding areas, manage and promote landscapes and ancient archaeological sites in the area to support and promote river cruises, sightseeing and so on. 2) strategize how best to promote and develop stories relating to the cultural and community identity of U-Thong, likely with the establishment of cultural information centers, a cultural village, and other bead and ethnic museum, to visited by tourists and 3) Develop marketing tactics intended to promote the spread of knowledge pertaining to cultural and community identity in U-Thong, as discussed herein. This would be done by utilizing combining various media outlets