The Participation of Ban Thung Phle Community in Makham District, Chanthaburi Province to Develop the Area into a Sustainable Tourist Destination Maitree Chaimongkol Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thailand National Sports University Chon Buri Campus Abstract I have the opportunity to participate in academic and professional service projects in sports and recreation. This research aimed to study the problems of the participation of the Thung Phle Homestay community in Makham District, Chanthaburi Province. The homestay entrepreneurs worked together with the students of the Faculty of Arts, Thailand National Sports University Chon Buri Campus to find ways to manage resources in the area resulting in a sustainable tourist destination. The project was conducted on 3 - 4 February 2020 at the Homestay Environment Conservation Learning Center Ban Suan Rim Nam, Makham District, Chanthaburi Province. The research was conducted through the activities allowing the students to survey the area. In addition to this, a group discussion was applied with 12 homestay entrepreneurs to find ways to manage resources in the area to be a sustainable tourist destination. The community participating in all 4 activities were as follows: 1) surveying the area to create Sports tourism activities in the Ban Thung Phle community area 2) surveying the area of Chanthaburi Agricultural Research and Development Center to be a tourist and learning area for tourists 3) surveying local food processing of Ban Thung Phle community, and 4) exploring the area of Khao Banj Temple. According to the result from activity 1, it was discovered that in the area of Ban Thung Phle community located in Khao Ban and Khao Khitchakut, there is a stream which originated from Khao Khitchakut. Further, there are trees in natural areas which is suitable for mountain Sports activities and cycling to enjoy the nature. Moreover, Activity 2 conducted at Agricultural Research and Development Center, a place to test various plant species over a large area showed the suitablity for planting rice of the Phaya Mae Thong Dam species, which is the rice varieties of the Mon people, the original background of the villagers of Thung Phle. Additionally, Activity 3 related to the unique local food of the community prepared from local spices such as cardamom. The processed food derived from Ban Thung Phle's famous fruits, such as rambutan, durian, and mangosteen. Last but not least, the activity 4 which was conducted at Khao Banb Temple. This place is suitable for the Dharma practice of all ages with chilly weather at all times. The climate is suitable for meditation or relaxation of practitioners of all ages. Keywords: Community participation, Ban Thung Phle Community, Sustainable tourism Corresponding Author: Maitree Chaimongkol, Thailand National Sports University, Chon Buri Campus, Email: [email protected],Thailand. The Participation of Ban Thung Phle Community in Makham District, Chanthaburi Province to Develop the Area into a Sustainable Tourist Destination Introduction Background and State of the Problem At present, Thailand is interested in the principles of participation in the development of each aspect of country consisting of politics, society, economy and culture to enter a participatory democracy. This includes changes in public administration under the concept of participatory governance and concepts under the principles of good governance. The government must provide the opportunity for people and all relevant parties to get to know, think, decide, work and handle the results that caused by participation until reaching the joint inspection This can increase transparency and improve the quality of government agencies' decisions And is accepted by all parties. This also in line with the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017 - 2021) in Strategy 3. which was about strengthening the economy and sustainable competition with the objective to support the distribution of economic activities and the fair distribution of benefits. This also include supporting an economy that is environmentally friendly and increase the potential of the existing service base and expand the new service base to adjust to a stronger service base economy as well as developing the tourism industry for balanced and sustainable growth. และFurther, Strategy 9 stated that urban and economic development with the objective to spread prosperity and economic opportunities to the region more thoroughly in order to develop the center city of the province to be a livable city for all groups of people should be implemented. The strategy also mentioned about developing and revitalizing the main economic base area to expand to be environmentally friendly and increase the quality of life for people in the community. Moreover, the strategy focused on developing new economic areas to support the enhancement of competitiveness and sustainable development in the area. Therefore, public participation is becoming a trend that has received attention from various agencies and organizations, both the public and private sectors. However, there are obstacles and problems in local government in accordance with the principles. One important challenge in decentralization is that people lack interest or lack of participation. The government has a policy that is a factor that motivates local people or communities to participate in community management in a collaborative and responsible manner leading to targeted development and it truly benefits the people In addition, it can be considered that this is also a way for people to participate in important local and community development activities. Participation within the community is important for the lives of all people because everyone has to live together as a society. They also rely on each other. They additionally have roles and responsibilities which are accepted and self-created. The roles and responsibilities should be stable in order to help accept policies in accordance with national laws. However, the participation as well as working together in the management of the area to be a sustainable tourist destination requires the sacrifice of time and other factors in the activity to achieve the goal. Public participation is considered an internationally recognized principle that is important and necessary for the governing of a democratic world. Chanthaburi is an old town from historical evidence. It is believed to be at least 1,000 years old. It was built by Chong people. Some legends say that it was built by the Khmer people. The original districts were based on the stone inscription called "Khuan Kraburi". Chanthaburi was originally located in front of Khao Saphan Mountain. The original indigenous people live, called Chong people have their own language. The city is located on the eastern coast of Thailand. The general landscape and climate of the province are mostly forests, mountains, and high plains, which are 30 - 190 meters above sea level. In the middle of the province and 3) coastal plains Climate in general, Chanthaburi is located in an area that is hot and humid. Rain about 7 months per year continuously (Chantaburi Provincial Statistical Office, 2020). Makham District, formerly known as Tha Luang District, was established in 2422 B.E. It is located on the Chanthaburi river Current Tha Luang Subdistrict. Later, the trade developed and it led trading contacts with Cambodia by using the route through Makham District to Pong Nam Ron District and crossing into Cambodia as it was more convenient for tax collection Therefore, the district office was moved to Ban Makham in 1907. Its name was changed to Makham District. The reason why the city was being named "Makham" is said that at that time, the area of the Makham district was an evergreen forest with abundant animals and wild fever causing the passing people to experience constant danger. Traveling was difficult because at that time the road was cut without environmental conditions, so there were many wild animals. Since it was a district with a very wide territory, it was difficult to access all after being divided into Pong Nam Ron District, Soi Dao District and Khao Khitchakut District. Currently, Makham District With a total population of 30,441 people (Office of Registration Administration Department of Provincial Administration, 2019). The researcher was interested in the participation of Ban Thung Phle community, Makham District, Chanthaburi Province to develop the area into a sustainable tourist destination by studying the conditions of the participation of the community of Ban Thung Phle Homestay in Makham District, Chanthaburi Province. The participants were homestay entrepreneurs who worked together with students of the Faculty of Arts of Thailand National Sports University Chon Buri Campus. to find ways to manage resources in the area to be a sustainable tourist destination. Research objectives 1. To study the problems of the participation of the Thung Phle Homestay Home community in Makham District, Chanthaburi Province. 2. To identify ways to manage resources in the area to be a sustainable tourist. Destination Scope of research Participation of Ban Thung Phle Community, Makham District, Chanthaburi Province to develop the area into a sustainable tourist destination consisted of a group of key informants in this research, namely, homestay entrepreneurs together with students of the Faculty of Arts from Thailand National Sports University Chon Buri Campus. Expected Benefits 1. Be able to identify the