Application of Recreation Opportunity Spectrum for Campground Management in Kaeng Krachan National Park

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Sasikarn Bunmuang
Dachanee Emphandhu
San Kaitpraneet

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: 1) to study factors and criteria for setting up and classifying a recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) for the campground at park headquarters, Baan Krang and Phanern Thung in Kaeng Krachan National Park and 2) to determine the tourist’s perceptions of the environmental conditions and their recreational needs. Physical and management survey forms together with 390 designed questionnaires were used for collecting the data. A weighted score method and content analysis were used for analyzing the data. Statistical analysis included percentage, mean, maximum, minimum and a t-test at a significance level of 0.05.


The results found that the physical and management weighted scores of the campground at the park headquarters were 1.08 which was Development in the ROS spectrum, at Baan Krang they were 2.30 which was Semi-Development in the ROS spectrum  and at Phanern Thung they were 2.64 which was Semi-Primitive in the ROS spectrum. The weighted score of social factors indicated that the campgrounds at the three sites were Semi-Primitive in the ROS spectrum. The results on testing the recreational experience differences between expected and actual experiences revealed a significant difference only at the Phanern Thung campground (t = 2.542, p-value = 0.012). Therefore, it could be concluded that the suitable recreation opportunity spectrum of the three site campground was Semi-Primitive, which meant the recreation activities were suitable for nature camping in a peaceful setting, with privacy, high self-sufficiency and free from staff enforcement. However, at the same time, tourists needed convenient accessibility and comfort in general. In addition, they did not mind seeing other groups of tourists but those facilities and the number of other tourist groups had not so much to affect the recreational experience.


 


Keywords:  recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS), campground, Kaeng Krachan National Park

Article Details

How to Cite
Bunmuang, S. ., Emphandhu, D. ., & Kaitpraneet, S. . . (2022). Application of Recreation Opportunity Spectrum for Campground Management in Kaeng Krachan National Park. Thai Journal of Forestry, 31(3), 65–74. Retrieved from https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tjf/article/view/255620
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Original Articles