The Sustainable Tourism Development for Decreasing the Inequality at Frontier: Case Study of Wan Yai District, Mukdahan Province, Thailand

Abstract

The research was highlighted to the Sustainable Tourism Development for Decreasing the Inequality at Frontier: Case Study of Wan Yai District, Mukdahan Province. This research conducted to the qualitative method. The objectives were: 1) To study the problems of tourism management in order to decrease the inequality at the border. 2) To create the guidebook and  tourism routes in this area and 3) to suggest the pathways of sustainable tourism management to this district. The collective data was focused on groups; such as District Chief, Deputy District Chief, Senior Deputy District Chief, Subdistrict Headman, Village Headman, resort entrepreneurs, and homestay owners, etc. This method planned to analyze the problems or obstacles in this area toward sustainable tourism development. Moreover, the researcher suggested a sustainable tourism strategy for this area.

      The results were found: WanYai district is a small district. Due to a field survey in this area, this district has the potential abilities because of the variety of tourist places and a special economic zone. Nevertheless, there were many problems; for example, drug trafficking, inconvenient transportation, lack of infrastructures, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In sum, sustainable tourism is a pathway to solve income inequality. Hence, all public and private sectors should solve seriously these problems towards strengthening economic and social benefits and maintaining the traditional cultures in this area.