Living Museum Design Guidance for Cultural Tourism: Inthakhin Community, Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai

Abstract

Inthakhin Community is a community on the edge of the Muangkaen plain basin. It has a history more than 700 years since 1801 B.E. It has the cultural wisdom of ancient ceramic kilns and is an important cultural heritage source. The lack of management of community museums has resulted in the near disappearance of wisdom and cultural heritage. This research aimed to be a database of cultural heritage and tourist attractions of the Inthakhin Community in order to create guidelines for managing a living museum by using the community's identity in the design, using a multi-theoretical framework in environment, local identity, community tourism, conservation, participation, and living museum. The research sample consisted of 34 community residents, 5 local philosophers, and 3 representatives of relevant local agencies. The research method used a qualitative survey using in-depth interviews and community inquiries to analyze community characteristics, problems, and needs, using a community participation approach to verify the accuracy of the information. The results of the study found that the identity of the Inthakhin Community consisted of 5 elements: 1) the physicality of the three-river basin area, 2) the evolution of the community history, 3) elements of a rural Lanna village, 4) a learning area for lifestyles and culture, and 5) traditions and rural culture. The study results of the Inthakhin Community Living Museum design were as follows: 1) synthesizing historical data and linking it to the community's potential area, 2) disseminating information on the identity of the potential area for community review, 3) designing and improving the community exhibition space by participating, 4) participating in activities in the cultural area, and 5) evaluating and summarizing project. In sustainable community development, every operational step should emphasize community participation.