ศักยภาพของทรัพยากรการท่องเที่ยวเชิงธรณีที่เป็นมิตรกับสิ่งแวดล้อมในพื้นที่อุทยานธรณี จังหวัดสตูล

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to study the potential of resources of geo-tourism that is ecological friendly in the area of Satun Geopark and to create the routes of geo-tourism that is ecological friendly in the area of Satun Geopark. The tool used to research is a form to evaluate the potential of resources of geo-tourism that is ecological friendly in the area of Satun Geopark with three components namely; 1) tourism value and risk of destruction 2) potential of tourism development and 3) ecological friendly management. The samples used for the research are 400 locals who live in five districts of the area of geological tourist attractions in Satun Geopark. The tool used to collect data is an interview form. The method and statistics used to analyze data are content analysis, physical and geological analysis, mean, standard deviation and the potential level of geo- tourism and focus group discussion in order to listen to the opinion of the route of geo-tourism that is ecological friendly. The research was found as follows; the overview results of the potential analysis of the resources of geo-tourism in 15 places of the area of Satun Geopark were found that the overview comment towards the three components of the potential of the resources of geo- tourism that is ecolocical friendly in the area of Satun Geopark of the respondents who live in five districts of the area of geological tourist attractions in Satun Geopark is of moderate with mean of 3.26. For each component consideration, the potential level is moderate with symbol of *** and mean of 3.29 for component 1, tourism value and risk of destruction. The potential level is moderate with symbol of *** and mean of 3.41 for component 2, the potential of tourism development and the potential level is moderate with symbol of *** and mean of 3.12 for component 3, eco-friendly management. The tourist attractions with "high" level of overview of the potential of resources of geo-tourism that is ecological friendly in the area of Satun Geopark are Phu Pha Petch Caves, Stegodon Cave, Thanpliw Waterfall, Wangsaithong Waterfall and Yaroi Waterfall with means of 4.02, 4.01, 3.75, 3.73 and 3.54 respectively. The tourist attractions with moderate level of potential are Chet Kot Cave, Koh Hin Ngam, Pakbara Beach, Koh Khai, Sai Dum Beach, Chorakae Cave, Kroad Siang Don Tree Beach, Rawai Beach, Saidood Beach and Pattaya Beach with means of 3.45, 3.21, 3.21, 3.16, 2.99, 2.82, 2.76, 2.74 and 2.57, respectively. The results are then used to make two tourism routes. In focus group discussion, it is summarized that there is one route of tourism route with high and low level of potential of ecological friendly tourist attractions and there is also another route of tourism route with high, moderate and low level of potential of ecological friendly tourist attractions. These routes include a one-day trip for tourism route No.1 comprising 1) Phu Pha Petch Caves and 2) Rawai Beach and a two-day, one-night trip for tourism route No.2 comprising 1) Koh Hin Ngam 2) Koh Khai 3) Pattaya Beach 4) Thungwa ancient elephant museum 5) Stegodon Cave and 6) Thanpliw Waterfall. The analysis was found that the strengths of both tourist attractions routes are that tourist attractions along the routes are easy to access, there are staff who are responsible for, there is a focus on resource and environment preservation management, they are main tourist attractions that are able to connect with secondary tourist attractions, they are interesting and able to attract tourists and they are rich in nature and eco-tourism resources. Additionally, tourists are able to participate in doing activities along the routes and each route has appropriate attractions for tourists who like eco- friendly tourism. The weaknesses of both routes are that there are not many, rather old and unclear signs for tourist attractions including the lack of management for facilities along the path such as toilet, dustbin and parking which is insufficient to support a large number of tourists. For the opportunity of both routes, each route has tourist attractions that can link with other tourist attractions which are able to attract tourists to stay and spend more time to travel in Satun Geopark. The obstacles include the lack of a serious public relation for tourist attractions, a limitation of visit for some tourist attractions as well as the lack of tourism volunteer and budget of tourist attraction development. Suggestions for this research are as follows. 1. Channels for various public relations to increase the number of tourists should be increased when consider the type of tourists that most are locals, nearby locals and foreigners. 2. Some eco-friendly tourist attractions in Satun Geopark still have low potential which should be improved to be high potential tourist attractions that are able to attract, support and impress tourists when they visit ecological tourist attractions. 3.Related authorities should promote activity and training arrangement for people to have knowledge, understanding and impacts both positive and negative including the benefits that happen in the society and community, maintenance and natural resources and environment management in tourist attractions and 4) Government authorities should use the results of this research to develop tourism facilities such as roads or travel routes and street signs including document or handbook arrangement for eco-tourist attractions in Satun Geopark.