Law and Governance in Golf courses A Cross-National Comparison of Environmental Frameworks, Industry Norms and Sustainability Practices in the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam and Singapore

Abstract

The last twenty years saw the considerable proliferation of golf courses in Southeast Asia owing to sustained economic growth. Golf is also the preferred sport among Asians nowadays. Philippines boast of 78 operational courses, Singapore has 18 clubs, while Thailand has 222, and Viet Nam catches up with 28. In most of these developments, governments assist in setting up infrastructures such as airports, bridges and road networks. Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, subsidies and tax holidays are proffered to entice foreign direct investments in capital-intensive development. In many instances the government machinery is tapped to support, finance and operate golf courses.

This thesis explores whether law and governance can promote the objectives of sustainable development by using a cross-national comparative study involving golf courses in the four countries of Southeast Asia ? a subject that has not received adequate attention from legal scholars studying sustainable development or environmental law.