Abstract:
The purposes of this research were: 1) to study Thai tourists behavior in Chak Ngaew Chinese Market, 2) to study the potential for cultural tourism in Chak Ngaew Chinese Market, 3) to study ways to develop the cultural tourism in Chak Ngaew Chinese Market. The subjects of this study were 400 Thai tourists who visited Chak Ngaew Chinese Market. The research instrument was a questionnaire. The statistics used include the frequently, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, One-way ANOVA, sheffe, and Pearson Correlation-Coefficient with a significant at the level of 0.05.
The findings were: 1) For the personal information of the sample related to the tourists behavior in Chak Ngaew Chinese Market 2) The survey revealed that the tourists with different personal information accept status had a different preference in 7 aspects. The overall of the satisfaction was at a high level: the personnel, the service process, the products and services were adequate ; the community and history was conserved, there was good marketing promotion; the head of the tourism promotion was competent in giving information about the tourist attractions, the distribution channel was good; travelling to Chak Ngaew Chinese Market was convenient, physical description; there were signs, notices and regulations for tourists, the price; the price of food and drinks was reasonable. 3) The potential for cultural tourism in Chak Ngaew Chinese Market, overall was found to be at a high level: good points; the food was interesting, the activities; paying homage to Chao Mae Taptim, the accommodation; the accommodation was convenient to Chak Ngaew Chinese Market; local to the facilities; the parking was sufficient for tourists. The problems and the suggestions for development reveled that most tourists wanted a wider foot path, increased variety of traditional shops and food, including entertainment activities such as music and a traditional community. Furthermore, there should be an exhibition to show the history of Market.
The findings of the qualitative research were the management should be encouraged to develop local identity, marketing and public relations. Staff should be trained about tourism plans. Many types of tourism should be provided. The safety measures for tourists should be improved. The people in the community should be involved. The physical tourist attractions and services should be developed. The budget for heritage tourism should be increased."