Abstract
Ecotourism : The study area, the Khiri Wong community, Tambon Kamlon, Amphoe Lan Saka, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province The objectives of this research were to study the new aspect of loval tourism management i.e. ecotourism, which refers to tourism in natural areas with local identity and culture that has been related to the ecological system. In ecotourism, all related parties share a common learning process under the enviromental and tourism management , which focuses on local participation. It is intended to encourage awareness towards sustainable preservation of the eco-system. The study area, the Khiri Wong Community, Tambon Kamlon, Amphoe Lan Saka, Changwat Nakhon Si Thammarat, was selected as a site for a case study on ecotourism potential, the needs as well as attitudes of the community, various possible impacts, and guidelines for the development and conservation ot the communtiy to be further refered to as a model for other communities with similar potential. The data were collected from the study area through questionnaires, which were distributed to local people totaling 346 samples. More information was gained from observation and specific interviews of local leaders and natural interpreters as well as other related agencies in the public and private sectors totaling 50 samples. All data were then processed and analyzed by statistical methods. The result of this research indicates that Khiri Wong is of high potential for ecotourism development and promotion both at present and in the future. The people, the community, as well as the visitors had a certain level of satisfaction for ecotourism at Khiri Wong. The impacts to the community were caused mostly by physical factor rather than economic, social, cultural, as well as health and life quality factors. The community's guidelines for development and conservation were based on systematic ecotourism management which had been well participated and cooperated by the local community, both at the community level and the bi-lateral level with other bodies outside the community. The guidelines con be exchanged with other communities with similar concept for ecotourism management.
