An Analysis of the Environmental Vulnerability Index of a Small Island: Lipe Island, Kho Sarai Sub-District, Mueang District, Satun Province, Thailand

Abstract

Thailand is located in South East Asia and is a popular tourist destination. It is rich in both natural resources and culture. There are 691 islands in Thailand, and more than 214 of these islands are used for tourism. Koh Lipe is very Small Island of approximately 2 square kilometers, located in Talutao National Park in the southern part of Thailand. This research aims to assess the sensitivity of the Island in terms of tourism development by using the Environmental Vulnerability Index, or EVI. The results showed that the EVI of Lipe Island is approximately 5.7, which represents a very high vulnerability score. Particularly, the REI, the level of risk to hazard, which measures influences on the environment within the island (e.g., loss of forestry, tourist accommodation, waste water and solid waste) was approximately 6.2, while the EDI, the natural resilience of the state based on its native characteristics, (e.g. water resources, protected area, marine protected area, and law enforcement), was approximately 5.7. This is also a very important indicator of the vulnerability of the Island. Thus, to reduce the overall vulnerability of the island, all indicators included in the REI and the EDI must become management priorities. Over time, this will increase the immunity of the island to of the impact of tourism development.