Guidelines for Developing Health Tourism through Forest Bathing Activities with Community Participation in Ban Pa-Ngiew, Chiang Mai Province, and Ban Huai-Phueng Border Community, Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) analyze the community context and compare the potential and success factors of health tourism through forest bathing with community participation in 2 communities, and (2) propose a model for forest bathing health tourism and guidelines for developing forest bathing health tourism with community participation. The study employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology, collaborating with community members and researchers to design practical activities that would lead to the establishment of forest bathing tourism in Ban Pa-Ngiew, Chiang Mai Province (30 individuals/households), and Ban Huai-Phueng, Mae Hong Son Province (34 individuals/households). Data were collected through focus group discussions and behavioral observations, and analyzed across 8 key dimensions: natural resource capital, cultural and local wisdom capital, human and social capital, physical infrastructure, economic capital and products, potential for forest bathing activities, community participation, and opportunities arising from external factors. Data analysis utilized the SWOT framework and TOWS matrix to compare strengths and success factors for community-based forest bathing tourism in both communities. The findings indicate that several key factors shape the development of forest bathing tourism in the 2 study communities. Natural resource capital, with Ban Pa-Ngiew offering environments conducive to restorative and recreational experiences, while Ban Huai-Phueng is more suitable for outdoor and holistic health activities. Cultural and local wisdom capital further differentiates the communities: Ban Pa-Ngiew emphasizes artistic traditions and local cultural expressions, whereas Ban Huai-Phueng highlights ritual practices and health-related ways of living, allowing for culturally tailored tourism activities. In terms of human and social capital, Ban Pa-Ngiew benefits from stronger readiness in human resources and skill sets, while Ban Huai-Phueng exhibits strong leadership and social cohesion but requires enhancement in tourism service capacity. With respect to physical infrastructure, Ban Huai-Phueng is comparatively better equipped, whereas Ban Pa-Ngiew needs improvements in road access and the systematic development of homestay programs. For economic capital and local products, Ban Huai-Phueng offers more diverse products but lacks certification, while Ban Pa-Ngiew remains in the early stages of product development and income generation. Regarding the potential for forest bathing activities, Ban Pa-Ngiew aligns with restorative and healing-focused experiences, whereas Ban Huai-Phueng emphasizes outdoor activities that support mental and spiritual well-being. Community participation is more structured and formalized in Ban Pa-Ngiew, while Ban Huai-Phueng lacks an organized tourism management system. Finally, external opportunities differ, with Ban Pa-Ngiew benefiting from government support and Ban Huai-Phueng showing strong potential in marketing and product branding. Drawing from these findings, the study proposes a “Participatory Forest Bathing Tourism Model” is proposed to drive economic development and promote sustainability, consisting of 5 core components: (1) leveraging local natural and cultural resources, (2) designing holistic health-promoting activities, (3) ensuring active community participation, (4) enhancing community members’ capacities, and (5) establishing contemporary marketing and communication mechanisms. The study further offers policy recommendations to support biological-based community tourism in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Overall, the results demonstrate that forest bathing extends beyond a natural therapeutic practice, serving as an innovative, community-centered strategy that harmonizes economic, social, and environmental development to advance sustainable local well-being.