Application of Geographic Information System to Creating the Cultural Tourism Online Map of Lao Ethnic Groups: A Case Study of Nakhon Luang District, Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

Abstract

The purposes of this study were 1) to study, collect, and then develop the cultural tourism database of Lao ethnic groups which are located in Nakhon Luang district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province and 2) to create the cultural tourism online map of Lao ethnic groups in Nakhon Luang district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province through Google Maps GIS online technology. The data were gathered via a variety of methods – relevant documents and research, field studies, interviews, observation, and focus group discussion.

Selected by purposive sampling, the population of this study consisted of local savants, the elderly, descendants of Lao ethnic groups and traditional Aranyik Knife operators, the total number of which was 10. The results indicated that 1) in Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya province, there are 11 cultural tourist attractions of Lao ethnic groups in Tha Chang sub-district, Nakhon Luang district, namely, 10 attractions found in Ban Phai Nong Village and the other found in Ban Ton Pho Village; the database has been developed in the form of a tourism map with the information of each attraction depicted in detail. 2) The use of Google Maps GIS online technology in creating an online map to spread and recommend Lao ethnic groups’ cultural tourist attractions via email and Google Drive could effectively help promote the cultural tourism of Lao ethnic groups in Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya province.