Cultural Tourism Development along the Royal Travel Routes of King Rama V: A Position Paper for Heritage-Based Economic Growth
Keywords:
Keywords: King Rama V, Royal Travel Routes, Cultural Tourism, Cultural Heritage, Grassroots EconomyAbstract
The royal journeys of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) represent a significant historical foundation of Thailand’s transition toward modern statehood, encompassing reforms in administration, transportation, and state–society relations. Although many locations along these routes retain tangible cultural heritage, their potential has not yet been systematically developed as integrated cultural tourism pathways. This position paper argues that Thailand should develop cultural tourism routes based on the Royal Travel Routes of King Rama V as a strategic mechanism for heritage conservation, strengthening local identity, and promoting the grassroots economy. Drawing on historical documents and contemporary cultural tourism research, the paper presents key arguments supporting this position, addresses potential limitations, and proposes policy-oriented guidelines, including heritage route mapping, community-based tourism development, digital interpretation tools, and conservation standards. It is argued that, if implemented through participatory and systematic approaches, tourism along the royal travel routes can function not only as a cultural learning space but also as a sustainable driver of heritage-based economic development in Thailand.
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