Bangkok--23 Jun--Happy In Time
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) (DASTA) hosted "the 2nd Creative Tourism Activity" to introduce the qualified communities. In the event, DASTA presented the mark of "Creative Tourism Thailand" to the owners of 11 activities to honor and encourage them to lay the solid foundation of sustainable tourism industry in Thailand. On this occasion, it hosted the special talk under the topic of "Creative Tourism: Learn by Doing with the New Generation of Tourists", with well-known young tourists as guest speakers.
Weerasak Kosurat, DASTA President, Dr. Nalikatibhag Sangsnit, DASTA Director-General, Suthep Keasang, Director and Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Community-Based Tourism, and Prof. Dr. Pramuan Thepchaisri, Vice Rector for Research, Thammasat University, hosted the press conference of "the 2nd Creative Tourism Activity" to introduce 11 activities that meet the criteria:
1. Coastal Fishery in Ban Laem Klat - Mueang District, Trat Province
2. Weaving "Jok" Tai Phuan : Suntree Thai Silk - Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province
3. Ceramic Workshop : Ganesha Celadon - Mueang District, Sukhothai Province
4. Ceramic Workshop : Usa Celadon - Mueang District, Sukhothai Province
5. Ceramic Workshop : Bua Celadon - Mueang District, Sukhothai Province
6. Nakhon Chum Delicacies : Nakhon Chum Community - Mueang District, Kampangpetch Province
7. "Phi Ta Khon" Mask Painting: Sornsak Chareonsup (Chang Juk, local artisan) - Dan Sai District, Loei Province
8. Tai Dam Way of Life in Ban Na Pa Nat : Tai Dam Cultural Center - Ban Na Pa Nat, Chiang Khan District, Loei Province
9. "Auspicious Krathong" (Pha Sat Loi Kroh) : Amorn Narongsak (Auntie Nang) - Chiang Khan District, Loei Province
10. Embroidery Workshop at the House of Phong Kam - Mueang District, Nan Province
11. Dvaravati Coin Casting at Vichien Smithery - U-Thong District, Suphan Buri Province
Weerasak Kosurat said, "These 11 activities are fully qualified in terms of area and process. Through active participation based on personal interest, the tourists will gain the hands-on experience, learn the local spirit, and develop their capability. At the same time, the activity owner can transfer the knowledge, experience and local details. Through the actual practice, both tourists and activity owner can exchange the culture. This is the key element of "creative tourism", which is different from any other kinds of tourism and will lead to sustainable tourism."
Dr. Nalikatibhag Sangsnit revealed, "DASTA is strongly determined to search for the creative tourist activities from the communities in each designated area and encourage them to recognize the value of local wisdom. We will then develop these activities before passing them to the larger agencies in the future to strengthen and sustain the tourism in Thailand."
Suthep Keasang said, "The working team not only piloted the model of creative tourism, but also has been connecting and expanding the network of creative tourism in every designated area. In the fiscal year 2015, we developed 13 activities to promote the creative tourism in 6 designated areas, which served as the role model that focused on helping the tourists understand the local spirit. They can later be upgraded to the international level. In 2016, we plan to expand the network and add 11 more activities. That is our motivation to host this event today."
Prof. Dr. Pramuan Thepchaisri revealed, "The MOU on developing the sustainable tourism between DASTA and Thammasat University from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2019 enhanced the collaboration that took place four years ago. This concrete MOU benefits the community and overall society. The research was conducted to bring the knowledge and the findings were applied to the new generation of tourism called "Creative Tourism". Its main purpose is to promote and support the cultural exchange and hands-on experience in the tourism areas so that the tourists can admire the local spirit and learn new things to endlessly enhance their potential. Therefore, the key of these activities is to offer the tourists a chance to "discover" and "understand" the way of life, arts and craft and cultural heritage by "experiencing" it."
The event hosted the ceremony offering the mark of "Creative Tourism Thailand" to honor the 2nd generation of activity owners. Moreover, the event helped the communities recognize the 'value' of their cultural heritage so that they can communicate its value and meaning with the tourists. This would create new tourist destinations in Thailand and take these activities to the international level. In addition, the special talk was held under the topic of "Creative Tourism: Learning by Doing with the New Generation of Tourists". The guest speakers included Monthon 'Mint' Kasantikul, well-known blogger and the owner of 'I roam alone' page, Korakot Pallopraksa, traveller and MC of 'Journal Journey With Korakot' program, and Pisan Saengchan and Tayat Detsatie, MC of 'Nang Pa Pai' program on TPBS channel.
The interested people who would like to join these 24 activities can visit www.ctthailand.net for more information on before the taking the trip.