Interactive Media Design for Support Cultural Tourism Destination at Pak Phli District, Nakhon Nayok Province

Abstract

Nakhon Nayok is one of the secondary cities with a provincial development plan (2023-2027) that promotes and develops eco-tourism, health tourism, cultural tourism, services, and standardized conferences, including public relations. The tourist attractions in Nakhon Nayok are diverse, encompassing both natural and cultural tourism. One of the interesting cultural aspects is "Thai Phuan," which refers to Phuan people who migrated from Xieng Khouang, Laos, and settled in various provinces in Thailand. Some of them reside in Pak Phli District, Nakhon Nayok Province, with interesting cultural elements including lifestyle, dress, language, food, and traditions.
From field research, the researcher found that walk-in tourists receive limited information despite the availability of various tourism promotional materials in both print and online media. However, the community lacks interactive media on-site that provides information and creates new tourism experiences. Interactive media is effective in combining multiple media types such as still images, animations, text, sound, or participatory activities. Quality content design would help attract more visitor attention.
Therefore, the researcher is interested in studying the identity, traditions, culture, and needs of Thai Phuan ethnic group and tourists in Pak Phli District, Nakhon Nayok Province, to create interactive media that aligns with their needs. The study involved surveying community problems and needs, along with participatory prototype design to reflect community identity. The result was developed into a community mascot inspired by the Suet Suea Suet Pha ceremony, the community's sacred shrine (San Pu Ta), traditional tools and clothing unique to Thai Phuan people, along with the Yellow Cotton Tree flower, which is the provincial symbol of Nakhon Nayok. These elements were applied with Augmented Reality (AR) technology to enhance information presentation and community data accessibility, as well as enable sharing to increase tourist awareness.