Over the years the tourism industry in Kanchanaburi has had its share of boom and bust, but all through it one tourist activity has prospered unchecked _ rafting the Kwai Noi River to the blare of disco music.
No doubt, these disco rafts are a pain to the human ear and a liability to the province's image as a peaceful destination with abundant greenery and breathtaking mountain scenery. And it seems that local authorities have done nothing to solve the problem, consistently looking the other way as if it doesn't exist.
Now it seems the problem will soon spill over to Si Nakharin dam, so far a quiet and idyllic point for a cruise on a huge artificial reservoir that boasts of several historical and natural attractions on its fringes.
As we arrived at the Mong Krasae pier where boats and rafts wait to take tourists on reservoir cruise, one operator turned on disco music full blast shattering the calm of the countryside.
"Some tourists are here to enjoy disco rafts and sing karayoke songs. They like the music loud," said our boat operator, adding that there weren't many boat operators of the loud type in Mong Krasae at the moment, but with the province planning to promote tourism in a big way next year, the problem could aggravate.
Actually, disco rafts are not a bad idea because they provide access to remote points that can't be reached otherwise, not to mention the beautiful scenery, but what's lacking is that there's no one to tell them what's is right or wrong, and how they should run their business without spoiling the peace of others.
Local authorities must provide them with proper guidance and counselling by spelling out what is appropriate and how business should be run, before letting loose another disco raft in Si Nakharin dam.
But some positive signs are emerging. One boat rental service provider, Mr Manop Dangaram, who also heads an alliance of operators in the tour business in Si Sawat district, where the dam is located, is keen to change things for the better. After being in the business some years, he is apparently not happy with the noise disco boats generate and eager to create something different for tourists who travel to Kanchanaburi for a quiet and peaceful holiday.
And for him to succeed, he would need the support and cooperation of local authorities and other players in the tourism business. His efforts take on added significance, given that the province has designated 2006 "Visit Kanchanaburi Year".
His efforts could just be the right start for promoting tourism in the province in a sustained and systematic manner, before it gets out of control.
Bangkok Post June 2005 - www.bangkokpost.com
Jarunee Taemsamran
