THE HISTORIC TOWN OF HUA HIN: THE IMPACT OF URBANISM AND A NEW PARADIGM FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Abstract

This study aims (1) to understand background, identity, the uniqueness of Hua Hin, (2) to analyze the heritage and assess its values, (3) to analyze tourism impacts on urbanism in Hua Hin, (4) to provide a new paradigm for tourism management in order to sustain the heritage and tourism in Hua Hin

This study has found that the community in Hua Hin has been in existence since in the reign of King Rama III, extending to the period of construction of the southern railways, which was in the end of reign of King Rama V and into that of King Rama VI. The community’s prosperity accompanied the development of the southern rails. Hua Hin soon became a well-known town and remains so today.

Tourism promotion by the government from the past until present has consistently developed transportation increasingly more comfortable system, which has resulted in continual increases in the number of visitors. The impacts from tourism are shown to be both positive and negative in various aspects, including social and cultural, economics, environment and physical. This research it emphasizes from that urbanism has also affected people and the physical character of the city.

And the finding has been to impact on residents. Non stakeholders have been disturbed by the impacts of tourism on their daily lives in contrast to the stakeholders. In response to this concern , the ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Charter, Burra Charter and sustainability tools enhance the Community-Based Tourism’s Principle are proposed as a new paradigm for sustainable tourism management in Hua Hin.

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