The Application of Augmented Reality Technology to Enhance Koh Kret Community toward Becoming a Smart Tourism Destination

Abstract

The objectives of this research were (1) to design and develop an application using augmented reality (AR) technology and creative media to support tourism in the Koh Kret community, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness and user satisfaction of the developed application in enhancing the community toward becoming a Smart Tourism destination.

The research focused on the main areas of Information dissemination systems for publicizing events via the internet. Navigation systems direct users to buildings and shops within the Koh Kret community. Augmented reality technology for displaying 3D models. The system was developed using the C programming language, Unity 3D, PHP language, and MySQL as the database platform. The tools employed to evaluate the application's effectiveness and user satisfaction included a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, with 30 participants serving as users. Statistical analyses included mean, percentage, and standard deviation.

              The results revealed that (1) the augmented reality application fully met user requirements within the defined research scope, and (2) the overall performance and satisfaction levels were rated high (Mean = 4.15, S.D. = 0.73; Mean = 4.11, S.D. = 0.82, respectively). These findings indicate that the application enhances the tourist experience by allowing users to interact with digital information through AR-based media, deepening their understanding of local culture and history while increasing engagement with the community. Such interactions contribute directly to the development of a Smart Tourism Community, where technology enriches visitor experiences and supports sustainable tourism growth.