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Bell & Howell Information and Leaming 30North Zeeb Road, Ann Ahr, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 University of AIberta Ecotourism Development in Northem Thailand: An exploration of perceptions and po tentials A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillrnent of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Protected Areas and Wildlands Management Department of Renewable Resources Edmonton, Alberta Spring 1999 National Library Bibliothèque nationale du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 OttawaON K1AON4 Canada Canada Your file Votre refer- Our die Notre rel6rance The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence dowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/fh, de reproduction sur papier ou sur foxmat électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in ths thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Abstract The Tourïsrn Authority of Thailand is intereaed in promoting the natural regions of Northem Thailand for recreation purposes. Many protected areas are already environmentally compromised as a result of development and population growth Ecotourism is seen as one possible management option to deviate such problems. Understanding visitors' needs and desires helps direct appropriate recreat ion management. This study explores perceptions relating to the benefits and costs of ecotourkm, exist hg management practices, and visito rs' interest s and motives. Reg ional ecotourism opportunities are also considered. Results suggest that: optimism for the goals of ecotourism is high if the industry's ethics are strictly followed; services and facilities need irnprovement to increase visitor satisfaction; a diversity of interests in wildlife exists beyond the traditionai big game; and that the region boasts an outstanding range of potential ecotourism attractions. Doi Inthanon National Park, in light of the heavy tourism focus on the park, is exarnined as a case study. Acknowledgemen ts 1 wish to thank Dr. Jim Butler for his enthusiasm, guidance and suppoa throughout the duration of my degree and beyond. He has been a major influence and teacher in many respects, and it is under his umbrella that 1have developed both professionally and personally. My thanks also go to my cornmittee members Dr. Guy Swinnerton and Dr. Dhata Gill. Both have been very heIpfÛ1 in the early and late stages of the development of this thesis. In addition, Dr. Gill's involvement as Director of the CIDA funded Institutional Linkage project between the University of Alberta and Maejo University helped make this study a success. He accepted the original proposais and ensured that the fùnding would follow to make this project possible. 1 benefited from working with Chris Fisher, since it gave me an opportunity to share a valuable experience, and I would like to thank him for all his help and support. In Thailand 1would like extend my thanks to the very many people that helped me. Unfortunately 1cannot name every single one. 1 would however like to mention by name and thank the fo IIowing. Dr Songvut Phetpradap helped ensure that my stay was well coordinated, cornfortable and enjoyable. Dr. Numchai Thanupon helped with the research and the extensive list of usefûl contacts within the protected areas of the region. Without Diana Jantakad this thesis and the results of my stay in Thailand would be nowhere near what they are. She was so very important to me f?om the moment of weIcome to departure, and 1cannot express my gratitude sufficiently. Many more staff at Maejo University deserve mention, but 1hope they will receive my gratitude without mention of their name specifically. The students of Maejo University enhanced the quality of my research and my experience in Thailand. In particular 1 wodd like to thank Narupon Lerdkanjanapom and Danai Winairat for their devoted assistance in interpreting and translat hg. Not ody were they of great ~ig~cancefor their help in the field, but they were also great fiiends who exposed me to and taught me about life and the culture in Thailand. 1am deeply indebted to them both. The rest of the ecotolrrism class was also of great support, help and inspirat ion as fiiends and volunteers in my research. 1would like to thank them al1 for their part. The MAFA class at Maejo University also deserve my many thanks since it was through their direct heIp and contacts that 1 was able to visit so many protected areas in Northern Thailand. Wle in the field many of the park staffwere so very generous to ne and helped ensure the success of the research and data collection. In particular Mr. Chodokh at Doi Inthanon National Park was very welcoming and accommodating, as was Mr. Krit at Tham Lod Forest Park. 1would like to thank the many staff who helped in this manner. As well, Chantasith Boonyasaranai, Jonggon Duang sri, and Caroline and Chai yan Subkeaw al1 contributed to the enjoyment of my stay and the results of my research. I thank them for their fiiendship and support in the field and in Chiang Mai. 1would keto thank aU those workers and tourists who contributed their valuable tirne to allow me to conduct my research, and 1 am very appreciative that they could help me rather than go about their nomial duties or enjoy their vacation. Much insight was also provided by many acadernic staff in the country and 1 am grateful for their input. 1would like to thank the country of Thailand for welcoming me and giving me such a beautiful natural culturai and spiritual experience. Both the wildlife, wildlands and people are equally beautifil, and 1hope this work will eventuaily benefit them al1 in years to corne. Lastly my parents deserve mention. It was through them that 1learned to appreciate and embrace the diversity and beauty of life. The exposure to many countries, cultures and wild places may be the root of my desire to conserve dlthat should be chenshed in the world. I thank them for their support, both direct and indirect. Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction ......................................................... Page 1 1.1 A persona1 note: conservation and Thailand ..................... 1 1.2 Researc h questions and objectives .............................. 2 1.3 Organization of the thesis ....................................... 4 1.4 Project history ......................................................... 5 Chapter 2 Tourism and Ecotourism ia Northern ThaiIand ............ Tourkm in Thailand ................................................ Ecotourisrn defmed: an overview of definitions ............ Geography of Northern Thailand .............................. Hill-trekking past and present ....................................... Nature of the hill-trekker and the activi@ being sought ... Hill-tribe villages and the tourist influx ..................... The role of nature-based tourkm .............................. A history of pro fected areas in Thailand ..................... Pro blems in protected areas .............................. Benefits of nature-based tourism .............................. Local participation ................................................ summary ......................................................... Chapter 3 Metbods ................... ........... ................... 36 A qualitative and quantitative approach ..................... 36 Data coIlection methods ....................................... 38 Analysis ....................,. ........................... 39 Field sites ......................................................... 40 Data sources ........................................................