ECOTOURISM IN THAILAND?S ANDAMAN COAST: AN ASSESSMENT OF MODES, LOCALITIES AND MEDIATORS

Abstract

The current state of ecotourism in Thailand?s Andaman Coast and its effectiveness in contributing towards environmental sustainability and social equity is examined. Sustained periods of high economic growth and strong international demand have encouraged tourism?s rapid expansion. However, this has been coupled with years of uncontrolled development, causing serious environmental problems and the marginalisation of many local communities. The process has been characterised by highly unequal power relationships and exacerbated by poor governance and a lack of effective regulation. One solution to this should be ecotourism, which purports to be nature-based, environmentally sustainable, socially equitable and educative. The thesis therefore assesses ecotourism?s relationship with its main stakeholders, and its effectiveness in improving sustainability and empowerment through environmental and social education. However, it concludes that without radical transformation of Thailand?s institutions, to create a more equitable, inclusive and transparent society, ecotourism will have little impact on the overall tourism development process.