Factors Affecting an Increase in Flights at Nakhon Phanom Province: A Gateway to Great Mekong Subregion (GMS)

Abstract

Abstract

      The context of this study was Nakhon Phanom Province which has been identified as a gateway to Great Mekong Subregion (GMS) and the connecting point for Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and the Southern part of China by Highway R 12.  Its location in the Northeastern part of Thailand with the border connected to Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is a vital logistic route for economic growth of the Great Mekong Subregion (GMS).  This research aimed to study factors on travel behavior of visitors that affect an increase in flights to Nakhon Phanom Province. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative research methods.  The participants in the study were 400 travelers selected on a voluntary basis.  The obtained data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing in stepwise multiple regressions. Qualitative data from semi-structure interviews were concluded from a content analysis. The triangulation method was used to combine all data to give a comprehensive picture of the participants’ responses in the study.

            The quantitative results  revealed  that most of the participants traveled to Nakhon Phanom Province only one time (35.8%) for the reason of sightseeing (57%) in the length of stay for 2-3 days per trip (52.3%), between January and March (46.8%) as the high season. They bought air ticket online (41.8%), in particular, from Thai Air Asia Airline (84.3%).  The marketing mix factors-- physical environment (Mean =3.89), process (Mean =3.83) and personnel (Mean =3.80) affected the visitors.  Air transport (Mean = 4.28), targeted special economic area (Mean = 4.27) and investment promotion (Mean =4.26) affected the development of Nakhon Phanom Special Economic Zone. They also agreed moderately about more flights to Nakhon Phanom Province (Mean =3.19).  The qualitative results pointed to tourism as the main factor for an increase in flights to Nakhon Phanom as a cultural destination rather than a special economic zone.

Keywords: An increase in flights, special economic zone, Highway R 12, Great Mekong Subregion