ECONOMIC VALUATION OF CHAKPHRA FESTIVAL AND BOAT RACE IN SURATTHANI, THAILAND

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the spending habits of participants in festival and to assess the economic valuation of Chak Phra and Boat Race in Suratthani, Thailand. Data were collected from people aged 18 years and older who participated in the Chak Phra ceremony Suratthani province 2019. The questionnaire was distributed to 405 respondents through the accidental sampling method. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and the individual travel costing model. The findings showed that the cost of round trip from their residence and the area of Chak Phra festival average is 13.06 baht per trip. The expenses consisting of food and beverages 312.63 baht, expenses for making merit 119.90 baht and others 3.41 baht. They spent time for traveling from residences to the festival and the time required to participate in various activities in festival 31-150 minutes. If they were not participating in the festival, they will spend time doing leisure activities at home / doing private activities. The results of spending behavior data of product categories in the festival totally averaged 741.23 baht / person. Most people buy clothing products, jewelry, cosmetics and shoes. The economic valuation of Chak Phra festival and Boat Races Suratthani: 2019 is equal to 139,344,300 baht.