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Published on November 14, 2007

Tourism locations will be safeguarded from systematic damage by new master plans. Koh Mak in Trat will be the first to implement the scheme.

The master plans encourage local people to preserve and manage natural resources along with tourism.

Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Administration president Prof Thongchai Panswad said it would collaborate with local administration organisations to draw up the master plans.

The sustainable development of tourism areas will improve the quality of life for residents and generate income, Thongchai said.

He said residents of tourism areas had complained they did not see benefits from the trade.

There were grumbles about environmental problems, too.

The administration believed the new plans would encourage locals to learn more about sustainable development and protect their attractions.

Koh Mak will be the first site to use the sustainable development plan to balance the benefits of tourism and conservation.

"The local administration organisation of Koh Mak is making its community manage tourism and infrastructure. The plan will limit the amount of tourists visiting the island and it should be in force in the next six months," he said.

It will be open for public comment and input and will result in many localised plans rather than one national agenda, he said.

The last tourism master plan was implemented by the central government and concentrated on new, designated sites only. There was no public participation.

"Most areas already announced as designated sites - such as Koh Chang in Trat and the Night Safari in Chiang Mai - have been abandoned by local people," he said.

Thongchai said the Koh Mak model would become a prototype for 11 other sites.  These include the Phuwiang National Park in Khon Kaen and Laem Tua Ngok in Kanchanaburi.

"We will stop if local people are not pleased," he added.

Pongphon Sarnsamak,

 Janjira Pongrai

 The Nation