Travel news - destinations in south Thailand

Setting the tone

Krabi gives people a say in managing their natural resources as it opens new tourist routes

Not everyone enjoys visiting popular tourism hot spots because some people need more choice and space when travelling. Keeping that in mind Michelin Siam Group has teamed up with Krabi Tourism Association to promote alternative travel routes opened following consultation with local people and organisations in order to make tourism sustainable.

"Krabi has its unique art, culture and the way local people lead their life to offer visitors, not just beaches," said the group's president Prayong Hirunyawanich, who believes that before promoting any new attraction, it is important to get the local people to participate and be part of its development right from the start.

"We talked to local businesses, organisations as well as community leaders for their opinion," said Tarat Tanitnont, an advisor to the board of Krabi Tourism Association.

The association wants to hear what local communities want to promote and then educate them how to conserve and manage their resources for lasting gain.

Tarat has been in the hotel business 30 years and is one of the early pioneers of tourism in Krabi. To him, caution is the watch word because he doesn't want to repeat mistakes made elsewhere.

"We have learned from the experience of others, particularly places like Phi Phi Island which developed rapidly as its popularity rose, but is now virtually reeling under its own weight. When a place becomes popular outsiders start acquiring land and build resorts. Their sole concern is profit, with little regard for natural resources, environment and what bearing their actions could have on the life of the local people," he said.

Nithi Eawsriwong, one of the founders of the midnight forum in Chiang Mai attended by university lecturers and professors, cited the case of Phuket, saying those who stood to benefit were usually outsiders or foreigners, while the locals end up picking the crumbs selling coconut juice or offering massage service.

"This is not a healthy situation. Lack of local participation will not lead to sustainable tourism," he warned.

When profits are concentrated in the hands of a few, little is left for others in the business who even struggle to make ends meet, and when that becomes the case it is no longer safe for tourists to travel there.

Sustainable tourism means sharing opportunity and resources with all parties to ensure equitable distribution of benefits.

"The Tourism Authority of Thailand has always been very vocal in airing its concern for the local environment because that is what attracts travellers in the first place. Environment also applies to natural resources which also need to be conserved, like the sea, because apart from pulling in visitors, it also serves as a source of food for local people, not to mention a mode of transportation," he noted.

Besides, tourism should not distort local culture.

"Culture reflects a way of life of people or society in a place or environment, but lately it's been bent to serve the purpose of tourism and lure visitors in ever greater numbers," said the professor.

When tourism becomes a number-crunching exercise it is hard to sustain growth over the long run unless more opportunities are created, said Prof Nithi who is also a social critic.

Meanwhile, mass tourism is changing. The current trend points to customisation of tourist destinations where people travel in small groups and enjoy various activities.

"Krabi is a good place to put into practice the concept of sustainable tourism because it has various types of resources and the backing of a strong group of investors who get along well with local communities," he said.

One new destination Krabi is promoting is a large forest patch in Lam Thap district where a white elephant, subsequently presented to His Majesty the King, was found in 1956.

In those days Lam Thap was a "red" area off-limits to people, but today it is inhabited by villagers who make a living planting rubber and palm tress.

Luang Ta Juan, 90, who is a monk, was among the team that chased down the elephant. Recalling the incident, he said initially the team spotted a herd of eight elephants and chased them for 20 days before being able to snare them with the help of a trap made from bamboo.

The team found out later that out of the eight, one elephant carried traits different from others in the pack.

"It didn't like impolite words," said Amnuai Suwanchatri, a teacher who has been studying white elephants for the past eight years.

This particular elephant had pink spots on its body and tusks. After its credentials were confirmed, it was delivered to the King. The law requires white elephants found anywhere in the Kingdom to be handed over to authorities as they are property of the royal family.

"Christened Phra Sawaeht, it's the only white elephant found in Krabi and now lives at the King's Klai Kang Won Palace in Hua Hin," the teacher said.

There are no elephant trackers these days, which probably explains why no more white elephants were found in Krabi.

However, there is one specimen raised by a family that lives opposite Lam Thap Hospital. It's named Phlaay Sangha and Phra Phu Nong. Its owner believes it carries the seeds of the same elephant that seeded Phra Sawaeht.

Adjacent to Lam Thap is the district of Klong Thom where the ancient Khuan Luk Pat (Bead Mound) artifacts were discovered 20 years ago in the compound of Wat Khlong Thom. Some of the artifacts carry inscriptions in Pallava, a language used in 10th century BC. They are preserved in the temple museum.

Another attraction is the island of Ko Pu, ideal for a glimpse of the lifestyle of local fishermen. Although there are a few resorts, the island's residents are still uneasy seeing tourists on their territory and have been asked to decide whether they want to fully open their community to visitors.

After the tsunami last year, Ko Pu residents set up a collective - a dockyard - to repair boats damaged in its wake, and only recently received support from the provincial administration to build 100 new boats that will be given out to fishermen. Once that is completed, they will switch to making home furniture.

Pranee Charnnam, a housewife, said although the island is small, there are many activities for visitors to enjoy such as sailing, catching fish and squids, picking shells and seaweed when the tide recedes. There is an underground spring that used to be the source of drinking water for the islanders - only visible at low tide - until tap water became available.

Srisakdi Vallipodom, a member of the National Reconciliation Commission charged with restoring peace in southern provinces, underscored the need for participation of local residents by saying they should be consulted over every new tourist route Krabi opens to visitors.

"What local communities need is confidence and know-how to manage their own resources," he said, noting if they can do that they will definitely further the cause of sustainable tourism.
Bangkok Post December 2005 www.bangkokpost.com