Tourism far from sustainable, it seems

Sustainable tourism is an ideal concept because it's supposed to be friendly to environment, nature, society and, at the same time, it can be developed with due respect to history, culture and life of the local people.

We've been talking about it for decades, probably longer, but it seems it's only there in theory and nobody, not even ranking government officials and decision-makers have ever bothered to put it in practice.

So reports last week that Ko Kret island in Nonthaburi, where ethnic Mons and their unique pottery-making and culture once flourished, was now threatened by the influx of outsiders peddling all sort of goods who are out to destroy everything we know it for.

The Mons migrated from Burma and settled down in Ko Kret. Their temples, art and ancient pottery-making skills attracted Thai and foreign visitors to the small island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River.

Today, Ko Kret looks like any other rundown market in downtown Bangkok peddling similar goods. Even fashionable clothes, accessories, handbags, and plastic toys are a common sight on the island.

Ko Kret is losing its lustre and nobody knows how much further will it deteriorate before the authorities step in to stem the rot. It's sad but true: sustainable tourism in Thailand has still a long way to go before it can be assimilated into mainstream thinking and policy-making at the local and state level.
Bangkok Post May 2005 www.bangkokpost.com
Jarunee Taemsamran