Managing Farmer’s Way Tourism in the Klong Pho Canal-Side Community, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand

Abstract

Background: The Klong Pho Canal-Side Community, situated in Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, faces pressing challenges related to environmental degradation and socio-economic transformation. Rapid industrial estate expansion, urban sprawl, and extractive activities such as sand and clay pit operations have led to water pollution, brackish conditions, and salinization. These changes have rendered water unsuitable for consumption and agricultural use, resulting in a decline in rice cultivation areas and waning interest in farming among the younger generation. In response, this research sought to revitalize the community through the development of farmer’s way tourism, leveraging local capital to sustain the traditional agricultural lifestyle while promoting socio-economic resilience.

The study involved 55 key informants—including community leaders, local scholars, homeowners, farmers, agricultural groups, and network partners—and 400 tourists from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.

The research followed a five-step process:

1) Identity Search – The team employed participatory tools such as community mapping, seasonal and cultural calendars, and an inventory of community capital to design tourism activities rooted in the local identity. This process emphasized the importance of identifying distinctive cultural and agricultural assets that could differentiate the community as a tourist destination.

2) Human Development – Capacity-building initiatives were conducted to train residents as community storytellers, fostering skills in tourism management, service provision, communication, and environmental conservation. Study tours to other successful farmer’s way tourism sites were organized to provide practical benchmarks for adaptation.

3) Community Development – An assessment of four subdistricts—Ban Krot, Khung Lan, Taling Chan, and Sam Reuan—was undertaken to evaluate tourism readiness. Improvements were made to infrastructure such as signboards, learning resource labels, reception areas, and public sanitation facilities. Efforts were made to align tourism standards with sustainable tourism principles, balancing development with preservation of natural and cultural heritage.

4) Working Mechanism Creation – A core group and working committees were established to oversee tourism initiatives, coordinate with local agencies, and ensure equitable benefit sharing among community members.

5) Marketing Promotion – The community collaboratively organized farmer-style tourism programs, integrating agricultural experiences, cultural heritage, and local cuisine. Marketing strategies considered tourist behavior and service marketing mix factors influencing visitation decisions.

Findings indicate that the Klong Pho Canal-Side Community successfully established a living museum to showcase its diverse wisdom and traditions. This initiative enhanced local awareness of cultural and environmental values, fostered pride in heritage, and encouraged active participation in conservation. Environmental resources, rice-farming traditions, and culinary practices were revived and transmitted to younger generations and visitors through experiential activities. Fair income distribution mechanisms were implemented, along with partnerships involving governmental, private, and civil society actors.

The project’s impacts are multidimensional:

1) Tourism Development – By mapping and understanding five categories of community capital, the community identified unique features that differentiated its tourism offering. This process strengthened a sense of ownership and laid a foundation for sustainable tourism governance.

2) Knowledge Enhancement – Tourism knowledge dissemination created local tourism experts who could manage visitor experiences effectively while safeguarding resources.

3) Community Infrastructure – The installation of facilities such as clear wayfinding signage, learning station labels, and accessible restrooms improved the visitor experience and met sustainable tourism standards.

4) Culture and Environment – Environmental resources, traditions, and local wisdom—particularly those linked to rice cultivation—were restored and integrated into tourism activities, fostering both conservation and cultural pride.

5) Management and Governance – The formation of core management groups enabled effective resource allocation, equitable income distribution, and cooperative agreements with external stakeholders.

6) Awareness Building – Internal campaigns increased community engagement in tourism, while external marketing attracted continuous visitation and strengthened the community’s image.

7) Economic Impact – Local wisdom was transformed into tourism products and services, generating supplementary income and stimulating a circular economy. Tourism activities were also incorporated into new tour packages marketed by local travel companies to both Thai and international visitors.

8) Social Impact – Tourism prompted social cohesion through professional and storytelling groups, while also reinforcing traditional festivals, rituals, and agricultural practices such as Lo Krathong moonlight bathing, local boat races, and rice harvesting ceremonies.

From a broader perspective, the project contributed to sustainable development across four dimensions:

1) Environmental – Restoration and preservation of natural resources and ecosystems.

2) Social and Cultural – Reinforcement of community pride, identity, and intercultural exchange.

3) Economic – Creation of income-generating opportunities and value-added local products.

4) Political and Governance – Strengthened collaboration among local administrations, tourism authorities, and private operators.

Challenges remain in managing tourism amid urban expansion and environmental change, particularly in maintaining water quality and integrating tourism development with the preservation of traditional lifestyles. Future Development Plan (3–5 years) includes:

1) Enhancing community capacity in tourism management through clearly defined governance structures, skill development in hosting, interpretation, marketing, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.

2) Diversifying and upgrading products and services, developing a unified brand, and expanding markets through external partnerships.

3) Establishing sustainable resource and environmental management mechanisms, including community regulations and a tourism development fund.

4) Building cooperative networks with government agencies, private sector entities, and educational institutions, as well as creating linkages with nearby tourist attractions for integrated route development.

Conclusion: The Klong Pho Canal-Side Community’s transformation illustrates how rural communities can leverage local capital, foster inclusive governance, and integrate sustainable tourism to address environmental and socio-economic challenges. The success of this initiative lies in its holistic approach—combining identity preservation, capacity building, infrastructure improvement, cultural revitalization, equitable benefit-sharing, and collaborative marketing—which together ensure the long-term viability of farmer’s way tourism and the community’s resilience in the face of change.