PSU Phuket Lecturer Helps Kamala Harness Culture to Drive Sustainable Tourism
Prince of Songkla University (PSU) congratulates Dr. Aphirom Promchanya, a lecturer at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, PSU Phuket Campus, for his contribution as an advisor to Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Kathu District, Phuket Province, following Kamala’s recognition at the national level with the Thailand Culture for SDGs Recognition Awards 2026. Kamala received the 2026 award in the category of “Holistic Sustainable Development” from the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture. The recognition reflects the community’s efforts to integrate culture, local identity, and community assets into sustainable area development.
The achievement highlights not only the efforts of Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organization, but also an approach to tourism destination development that seeks to balance economic growth with residents’ quality of life, social well-being, environmental responsibility, and the preservation of local identity. As an advisor, Dr. Apirom has contributed to advancing a development approach that connects tourism, community, culture, and sustainability, helping to strengthen the role of local identity and community participation in Kamala’s development.
This approach is particularly relevant to Kamala, one of Phuket’s important tourism destinations. Today, the success of a tourism destination is increasingly considered not only in terms of visitor numbers or economic benefits, but also in its ability to preserve the values and character of the area while enabling local communities to benefit and grow alongside tourism. Building on cultural assets, local identity, and community knowledge therefore plays an important role in helping Kamala maintain a balance between tourism development and the preservation of its community roots. The recognition reflects a broader understanding of sustainable development — one that goes beyond economic growth to place equal importance on local communities, cultural values, and the environment, while supporting the long-term development of the destination.