Sacred Buddha Image: The Integration of Indigenous Knowledge on Traditions, Rituals, and Beliefs for Developing Cultural Tourism of Communities in Isan Region

Sacred Buddha Image is a symbolic culture of the Buddha or the great founder of Buddhism highly praised by Buddhists. Each sacred Buddha image was created from the faith in the Buddha of the head builder, the joint builders, and the sculptor. Most sacred Buddha images in Isan region (northeast Thailand) were built during 637-1817 A.D. and monasteries were also built in the same period. People believe in the sacred power of these period. People believe in them luck, and prosperity. This research reflects the background of some sacred Buddha images and the use of them for promoting cultural tourism, including current situations and difficulties of the use of them as cultural capital for promoting cultural tourism. Research areas consisted of the provinces of Nakhon Phanom, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani where the sacred Buddha images located in.