The Potential of Hot Springs in the Western Thailand for Health Tourism and Sustainability

Abstract

This research aims to examine the potential of hot spring sites in the western Thailand for the purpose of sustainable tourism. The research applied qualitative methods and the participation of communities was included in the study's approach. The fieldwork consisted of the development of in-depth interviews, focus groups, field survey and participation observation. Participants were stakeholders in tourism development. The data collected from interviews were analysed, interpreted and reported with content and descriptive analysis. It was found that the hot spring destinations had their outstanding resources, based on their natural surrounded. The resources were used for tourism purpose in terms of health tourism. The potential of the various hot spring areas was divided into 4 groups. The first group included hot spring location where tourism data has not been gathered. The second group encompassed hot spring where tourism data has been gathered. The third group were hot springs where some tourism details had been gathered, but the hot spring sites were faced with some problems. The last included well-developed hot spring locations where tourism data has been gathered before. All locations could be promoted for health tourism, and educational tourism could be added for tourist and the local community. Such development would need to be controlled by the community committees formed by representatives of all groups directly and indirectly related to tourism development. Tourism development generated by community committees can result in sustainable development of hot spring destinations.