Community Social Capital Linked to Rural Tourism Opportunities: The Case of a Potato Community in Northern Thailand

Abstract

This article presents the findings from a participatory action research conducted in a ‘potato community’ that wishes to develop community-based tourism (CBT). The research used a social capital model to understand the readiness of the community in developing tourist products and services. The findings were thus analyzed through the lens of the three components of social capital; bonding, bridging and linking networks. To collect data the researcher met with a wide variety of community members. The findings suggest that for the community to develop a CBT initiative it would be necessary for a tourism committee to be created that focuses on methods to include community diversity along with creating a potato co-op that would build stronger community trust especially monetarily and would focus on innovation of the main cash product of the potato community. The community currently lacks entrepreneurial activity among its residents.  Suggestions are offered that link social capital components with the ability to innovate community products. There is a need for further training in entrepreneurial education as a method to further bond, bridge and link the community and grow a system of innovation.