IST Launches the 2nd Southern Regional Tourist Guide Training Course, Empowering Local Communities Toward Professional Guiding
The International School of Tourism, Suratthani Rajabhat University, in collaboration with Ban Chiew Lan Subdistrict Municipality, officially opened the “Southern Regional Tourist Guide Training Course, Batch 2” to raise professional standards and promote sustainable tourism.
On 25 May 2026, the International School of Tourism, Suratthani Rajabhat University, in collaboration with Ban Chiew Lan Subdistrict Municipality, held the opening ceremony of the “Southern Regional Tourist Guide Training Course, Batch 2” at Kraison 1 Meeting Room, Ban Chiew Lan Subdistrict Municipality Office, Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani Province. The program aims to develop the capacity of local tourism personnel and equip them to become qualified, standard-compliant professional guides.
Opening Ceremony and Orientation
The opening ceremony was honored by Mr. Chaowalit Chuaysong, Mayor of Ban Chiew Lan Subdistrict Municipality, who presided over the event, while Dr. Jeerati Poon-iad, Dean of the International School of Tourism, delivered the report on the objectives of the project.
This was followed by an orientation session for the trainees, led by Mr. Tuangkan Watboon, Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Program, who outlined the course details, the training approach, and helped prepare participants for the program ahead.
First-Day Training Schedule
| Session | Training Topic |
|---|---|
| Morning |
Principles and Management of Sustainable Tourism
|
| Afternoon |
Service Psychology, Human Relations, and Tourist Care
|
Background and Significance of the Project
The Southern Regional Tourist Guide Training Course is an academic collaboration between the International School of Tourism, Suratthani Rajabhat University, and Ban Chiew Lan Subdistrict Municipality, established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed earlier. The program aims to develop the capacity of local tourism personnel, raise professional guiding standards, and create career opportunities for local residents. Trainees who complete the course will receive a certificate that can be used to apply for the Southern Regional Tourist Guide license.
Ban Ta Khun District is home to nationally renowned natural attractions, most notably the Cheow Lan Dam within Khao Sok National Park, which welcomes a large number of both Thai and international visitors. Developing skilled tourist guides is therefore a key factor in elevating service quality and tourism management in the area, while also promoting sustainable tourism that generates income and strengthens the local economy in the long term.
The project forms part of the International School of Tourism’s academic service mission, which seeks to apply its knowledge and tourism expertise to develop people, strengthen communities, and drive the sustainable growth of tourism in Surat Thani Province.
Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the following areas:
| SDG | Goal | Connection to the Project |
|---|---|---|
|
Goal 4: Quality Education |
Promotes lifelong learning and the development of professional guiding skills to raise the standards of tourism personnel in the area. |
|
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth |
Creates career and employment opportunities for community members and stimulates a strong, sustainable local economy. |
|
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals |
Builds partnerships among the university, local authorities, and professional guiding networks to drive development together. |
The International School of Tourism is committed to applying its tourism knowledge to develop people, strengthen communities, and drive sustainable tourism that creates lasting value and income for local areas.
