Pha Wai Community’s Tourism Evolution in Puan Pu Sub-District, Nonghin District, Loei Province.

Abstract

               This study aimed at examining the tourism development of Pha Wai community, Puan Pu sub-dristrict, Nonghin district, Loei province. Data were collected through in-depth interview and a focus group with 3 groups of informants: tourism-related government officers, community leaders and tourism leaders from conservative tourism group, and members of the conservative tourism group. The tourism development of Pha Wai community could be divided into 6 periods chronologically comparing to human life cycle. Stage 1: newborn (2007 – 2012) was the period where the area and the community were initially prepared and developed to cater tourists. Stage2: crawling (2012 – 2013) was the beginning of tourism where tourists first came to visit in December, 2013. Stage 3: standing (2014) was the start of the conservative tourism group aimed at promoting tourism in the area. Stage 4: balancing (2015) was the time when the conservative tourism group was licensed as a club and various agencies organized trainings towards community-based tourism development such as Loei Rajabhat University, Loei Provincial Tourism and Sports Bureau, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Loei Office, and Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) Area 5. Stage 5: toddler (2016) was the initial phase of managing tourism systematically where administrative structure was officially set up with supports from tourism related organizations. Finally, stage 6: walking (2017) was the time when tourism in this area was fully managed by community.