Authors : Supisara Prasert , Virat Pansila and On-Uma Lasunon
Abstract: Nyah Kur or Chaobon ethnic tribes are the descendants of Ancient Mon-Kmer people that are located in small communities in the Provinces of Petchabun, Nakorn Ratchasima and Chaiyapum. The locations of their villages in deep jungle and mountainous regions between Northern Thailand and Northeast Thailand have in the past isolated and allowed their cultures and preserved their traditions. But modernization has currently erased many lifestyle practices and many local customs. Traditionally, Nyah Kur are Animists and practice spirit and ghost worshipping. Traditional rituals and beliefs that are still practiced and remembered include Pah ReRe singing celebrations, Karn Hae How Dohk Pueng or Bee’s wax castle parade, Traditional foods, clothing, the worshiping of sacred spirits of Phee ban Phee Ruan tradition and Nyah Kur’s traditional language or Jungle language. Promoting tourism by displaying traditional culture of Nyah Kur lifestyles can be incorporated with eco tourism of the beautiful natural eco systems surrounding villages especially in Chaiyapum Province. Methods of promoting tourism such as home-stay, culture tours and sale of handicrafts are important methods that will help preserve Nyah Kur’s ethnic culture but the Nyah Kur’s themselves must also value their cultural heritage by practicing and promoting their local traditions and lifestyles to the younger generation. To create a successful tourism industry the government must allocate resources such as funds and training to ensure that tourism will provide fair economical benefits to all, preserve and promote ethnic Nyah Kur lifestyles and preserve and develop the remaining natural ecosystem.
Supisara Prasert , Virat Pansila and On-Uma Lasunon , 2009. Guidelines and Methods for Conservation, Revitalization and Development of the Traditions and Customs of Nyah Kur Ethnic Group for Tourism in the Province of Chaiyapum in Northeast Thailand. The Social Sciences, 4: 174-179.