The purpose of this research was to propose development opinion in tourism vocational diploma curriculum. Samples were 331 students, who studied in vocational diploma curriculum of tourism in the academic year of 2010, both private and public vocational education in Bangkok, and 100 former students in the academic of year 2009, total of 431 people. The research tool was questionnaire. Data were collected from survey and analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Data from interviewing 10 entrepreneurs was collected and summarized then examined by the expert to propose guideline for developing vocational diploma curriculum.
The results were found that the majority of the students were female, 20 years old, accounted for 56.19 percents and studied in tourism management. Their opinion towarded the professional standard and the curriculum structure was rated in the high level (X bar = 4.16 and X bar = 3.98) but need in continuing education was rated in the highest level (X bar = 4.25). For the former students, the majority were female with the avarage age of 22 years old. Their opinion towarded the professional standard and the curriculum structure was rated in thehigh level (X bar = 4.17 and X bar = 4.09) but need in continuing education was rated in the highest level (X bar = 4.30)
Interview results found that the most important factors were service mind and honesty. Next important factors were fundamental knowledge in profession, leadership, discipline, social adjustment and relationship in work place.
In conclusion, vocational diploma curriculum development guideline was to emphasize learning by practice, learning in English, technology application, subject adjustment in conform with the higher education level and accepted by the related organizations. In addition, every subject must be at least 2 credit hours. Short training course and seminar should be provded to teachers by emphasizing teaching technique and research.
