Objectives of this research were to 1. study the ecotourism management and community way of life, 2. compare the people’s opinions on the ecotourism management and community way of life and 3. study the problems, obstacles and suggestions for the management of ecotourism and community way of life at Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province.
Methodology was the mixed methods: The quantitative research collected data using questionnaires at the confidence value equal to 0.896 from 400 samples who were tourists who came to Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province, analyzed data frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, SD., t -test, F-test, One-Way ANOVA and Least Significant Difference (LSD). The qualitative research collected data from 8 key informants by face-to-face-in-depth-interview and analyzed data by descriptive interpretation.
Findings of the research were as follows:
1. Management ecotourism and community way of life at Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram Province, by overall, was at high level (= 3.98, S.D. = 0.548). All aspects were at high level, such as 1) Tourist attraction sites were at high level (= 4.02, S.D. = 0.659), 2) The services of government department agencies was at high level (= 3.94, S.D. = 0.626), 3) local people were at high level (= 3.94, S.D. = 0.693), 4) souvenir stores were at high level (= 4.01, S.D. = 0.633) and 5. Restaurants and beverages were at high level (= 3.99, S.D. = 0.609).
2. The results of people’s opinions comparison classified by personal data on the management of ecotourism and community way of life at Amphawa District indicated that people with different educational level had different opinions with statistically significant level at 0.05, and people with different number of time visiting Amphawa District had different opinions with statistically different significant level at 0.01 accepting the set research hypothesis. As for the people with different gender and age did not have different opinions, rejecting the set hypothesis
3. The problems and obstacles were that the consuming products were quite expensive, less seats in restaurants, accommodation for vacations were limited, Parking space and restrooms were very limited. Footpath was very narrow and dinning tables at riverside were also limited and inconvenient. The suggestions are as follows: Government agencies should take more care of tourist attraction sites. More seats and places for relaxations should provided. Riverside dinning seats, especially at steps should be renovated to an outstanding attraction. Parking space for tourists should be added. Public bathrooms and walking paths should be added for more conveniences of the tourists.
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