The Community Participation Process of Tourism Management in Ko Chan Market Community Phuket Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study the process of participatory tourism management and to examine approaches to tourism management under community participation processes in the Lad Ko Jan community, Phuket Province. This qualitative research involved data collection from relevant documents and previous studies, as well as through interviews and focus group discussions. The sample group consisted of members of the Lad Ko Jan Committee, officers from the Welfare Department of Phuket City Municipality, lecturers from Rajapruk University Phuket Center, and residents of the Si Sip Hong and Soi Ton Pho communities, totaling 14 informants selected through purposive sampling. The research findings were presented using descriptive analysis. The study revealed that the community participation process in Lad Ko Jan consisted of the following aspects: 1) Participation in decision-making: Community members participated in meetings, expressed their opinions, and engaged in community lesson extraction and identity exploration related to the opening of Lad Ko Jan, although their participation was only partial. 2) Participation in implementation: Community members emphasized cooperation rather than active participation in activities related to Lad Ko Jan. 3) Participation in benefit sharing: Community members earned income from selling products at the Lad Ko Jan market, received rental income from leasing spaces in front of their homes, and developed a sense of pride in their community. 4) Participation in evaluation: Community members had only limited participation in the evaluation process.