Royal Development Projects and the Promotion of agritourism to linked areas: The case of Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre

Abstract

The primary challenges to agricultural income in Thailand include high production costs, fluctuations in product prices, and risks from natural disasters and water management issues, which impact production and revenue. These reasons lead to uncertainty. The National Economic and Social Development Board Office of the Prime Minister had the Eleventh National Economic and Social Development Plan 2012–2016, which was prepared with the sustainable involvement of the Thai people, environment, society, and economy by application of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. This paper highlights that the Royal Development Project can facilitate agritourism in Thailand. This research aims to study the potential of agritourism in the linkage areas targeted by the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre, Chachoengsao Province. Therefore, the study focuses on agritourism, which is a part of the household’s stable economy in Thailand. This is to say that researchers believe the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre can build both agriculture and sustainable agricultural tourism in Thailand. This will lead the country toward sustainable and a “Happy Society”. Researchers explore the agritourism potential of Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre and agritourism in the linked areas by using  the 3A’s elements of tourism. Then evaluate the agritourism potential with reality touring simulation. In summary, this study found that Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre grants agritourism to linked areas targeted for tourism support. The researchers indicate tourism potential by a sample group of travelers' satisfaction. The sample tourist, which is a group that corresponds to the purpose of using services and traveling at Khao Hin Sorn, consists of study tour groups, family groups, and independent groups. A 5-point Likert scale is used in surveys to measure travelers' satisfaction, which means that if travelers are satisfied, and refers to the potential to support agritourism. These findings, supported by data, show the overall satisfaction level in Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre: high and highest, suggesting the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre is effective in the model experience of agritourism. Research results demonstrate an example showing the overall satisfaction level of Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre and the linked areas targeted. The results of the simulation trips described the attraction's satisfaction at high and very high levels on a rating scale. Thus, the agritourism potential of the research areas positively correlated with the satisfaction level.  Moreover, it can be seen that the products of each attraction are popular. Therefore, it is sufficient to conclude that agricultural tourism is a part that helps create a stable economy for Thai farmer households.