Learning Management of Boats and Cultural Tourism: a Case Study of the Chao Phraya River inThonburi, Bangkok

Abstract

This research is about boats and cultural tourism using a case study of the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi, Bangkok. The purposes of this study are to study 1) types of boats involved in tourism in Chao Phraya river basin on Thonburi side, 2) management of cultural tourism in Thonburi, and 3) factors influencing the popularity among tourists about boats on cultural tourism in Thonburi. This study is a qualitative research composed of questionnaires, interviews, and observation using the samples of 30 people. The study result indicates that the types of boats involved in tourism in Chao Phraya river basin in Thonburi include 1) express boats which are categorized into local line (no flag), orange flag boat, yellow flag boat, green flag boat, and Chao Phraya tourist boat (blue flag); 2) boat charters which are categorized into taxi boat, long-tailed boat, bus boat. The management of cultural tourism includes meetings to build understanding between communities and boat operators about preparation of tour groups both Thai and foreigners, choosing partakers in boat service and sharing experiences about tourist boat business. Both public and private tourism management organizations provide services, facilities, advertisement, and tourism information. The factors influencing the popularity of boats among tourists are travel services in Thonburi area, boat and road services, restaurants, souvenir shops, Thai massage and spa, facilitation in the visa request process, travel safety, accommodations along the Chao Phraya River, reasonable price for goods and services, language facilitation for communication, friendliness of the locals, and the climate. All these factors have an important role in tourists’ decision on a boat tour in Thonburi. Therefore, cultural tourism using boats as the main vehicle for the tour becomes popular among foreigners, and promotes the importance and interest in the ancient culture of Thailand.