Abstract

This research is “The Study of Forms and Conditions of learning Sources in the Temples of Tourist Attractions in Chiang Rai Province’.  Its objectives are to study the management of the learning sources of the temples, opinions of monks and visitors concerning the development of the tourist places and to find out the ways to develop the temple learning sources in Chiang Rai Province. The samples consisted of 300 people and by the data were collected from 3 temples: What Prakeaw, What Rong Khun and What Phrataphangaow

The results of this research were as follows:

The conditions of the management of learning sources of the temples in the aspect of Buddhist art and architecture, on the whole, was in medium level.  When considering the average of each item, it was found that the beauty of sculptural paintings is in the highest level, the second is the beauty of architecture and the murals Parntings inside the temples.  To travel conveniently in the temples on the whole, is in the middle level. When considering the average of each item, it was found that there are signs and labels in temples are clear is in the highest level, come second is there is adequacy of car parking and bathroom service.  As a whole  the travelling cost is in the middle level.  When Considering the averages of each item, was found that “prices of sacrifices are reasonable” is in the highest level. The second is the prices of sacred objects, foods and drinks are reasonable.  For the useful learning sources of the temples it is in the middle level.  For each item, it is found that “the appropriateness of arts and cultures” is in the highest level.  Come second is There are proverbs and mottos for people to learn and public relations,  natural and environmental learning sources are well imformative.

The developing ways of the learning sources of temples in Chiang Rai province is in the middle level.  For each item, it is found that there should be the improvement of words of paying respect to pagoda and the Buddha. Come second the histories of the temples and pagoda, painting, museum, and proverbs respectively.

For problems solving in order to benefit tourists, the majority of the temples want to increase the art learning sources in north of Thailand.  Next is the use of the multimedia for describing the importance of the temples and monks who provide knowledge and information of the temples. Other items are that the temples should increase the residence hall for tourists, clean water services, planting of trees associated with literature or history of the Buddha for learning.

Regarding opinions of monks and tour operators’ about the development, it was the opinions on the situation of how Buddhist and cultural tourism is in the present and future time, and how the factors can attract tourists, and the temple can be managed to be the learning sources for tourists and teenagers.  The problems about conserving the Buddhist art and culture is that most tourists have no ideas to learn about the temples. Moreover, there are problems about the distance and cost of traveling, safety of their lives and properties during their travel and budget for organizing the development.  The problems are also found with the lack of attention of nearby temples in the development and the lack of the knowledge and experience of personnel on temples management as learning sources of the tourists. The last problem was that the community in the same area did not share their ideas with the temple development because they thought that temple administrators Know well about how to manage the temples as learning sources to attract the tourists.