Island Tourism and Sustainable Development in Thailand, Case Study of Koh Pha-Ngan

Abstract

As a result of the rapid growth of tourism without planning and proper management, many island attractions in Thailand have experienced challenges and vulnerability leading to negative impacts. To handle with such effects, sustainability is considered an important notion in relation to tourism planning and development. Importantly, prior to moving tourism towards sustainability, it is essential to resolve existing problems affected by tourism through different stakeholders’ views and their involvements. This thesis is an examination of current tourism situation on the island of Koh Pha-ngan, Thailand. It categorises opportunities for, and constraints to, sustainable tourism development on the island, along with identifying the main variables of tourism sustainability relevant to island situations. Data from key stakeholders including tourists, members of the local community, tourism businesses and representatives of the public sector was collected via the form of between-method triangulation using qualitative and quantitative methods, then analysed through the uses of SPSS and NVIVO. The research indicates benefits and costs in three areas. Firstly, regarding economic characteristics, tourism benefits communities and improves the economy of the island. Simultaneously, the high cost of living on the island is caused by inflation. Secondly, in terms of the environment, although natural resources are partly damaged by members of the local migrant population, it remains largely unspoiled due to environmental conservation measures collaborated in by the stakeholders. Thirdly, for the socio-cultural structure, an improvement of infrastructure creates better living conditions for the residents. However, tourists influence socio-cultural features, particularly in the younger residents. Concerning opportunities for sustainable tourism development, these relate to the conservation of natural resources projects collaborated by all stakeholders on the island, an increase in employment opportunities, and out of season business opportunities on the island. However, a lack of tourism planning and management is considered a major constraint to sustainable development on the island. In addition, tourists, family businesses, migrant workers, and the full-moon parties contribute to sustainable tourism development as the main variables. These outcomes generates recognition on how responsibility in tourism for a destination to fulfil an integrated balance of guidelines for sustainable tourism development with the intention of making satisfaction and distribution of benefit and opportunities for all stakeholders on the island, whilst maintaining the environment and conserving the identity of the indigenous population.