Environmental Impacts of Tourism In
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM IN KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND A Dissertation by SANGSAN PHUMSATHAN Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY August 2010 Major Subject: Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM IN KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND A Dissertation by SANGSAN PHUMSATHAN Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved by: Chair of Committee, Sanjay K. Nepal Committee Members, C. Scott Shafer Tazim B. Jamal Jane M. Packard Head of Department, Gary D. Ellis August 2010 Major Subject: Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences iii ABSTRACT Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. (August 2010) Sangsan Phumsathan, B.S., Kasetsart University; M.S., Kasetsart University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Sanjay K. Nepal Knowledge of visitor impacts is critical for sustainable tourism management in national parks. The focus of past tourism impact research on national parks is either on bio-physical impacts (conducted as recreation ecology research) or on social impacts (human dimensions, including environmental perception and crowding). Research integrating these two dimensions has been rarely conducted. This research aims to fill this gap through the integrative approach that attempts to understand current bio- physical impacts of visitor activities in a national park, and it examines how visitors perceive these impacts. The primary objectives of this dissertation are 1) to provide a synthesis of existing of bio-physical impacts of visitor activities in the Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) and 2) to examine visitors’ perception of those impacts. Also, the factors affecting visitors’ perception are analyzed. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this study. Previous impact studies conducted in KYNP were reviewed. A visitor survey was conducted between December 2008 and February 2009. The questionnaires were distributed to 628 domestic and 40 international visitors. The 38 KYNP official interviews were completed. iv Based on previous impact research in KYNP, the most common bio-physical impacts include soil compaction, removal of humus layer, erosion, plant damage, soil and root exposure, water quality deterioration, disturbance and feeding wildlife. Other environmental impacts include noise pollution and garbage accumulation. The results indicate that more than 30% of visitors do not recognize the negative results of their activities. With the exception of vegetation and water impacts, overall, visitors perceive the impacts as less severe than the actual impacts. Environmental impacts are rated differently by the KYNP officials, domestic, and international visitors. Also, significant differences were found among birders, hikers, and campers. The key factors influencing impact perceptions include income level, education level, residential location, park visitation experience, length of stay in KYNP, recreation activity, frequency of activity, group type, and group size. It is suggested that both the quality and the quantity of visitor impact research are needed to construct the body of knowledge of impacts in KYNP. A long-term impact monitoring is required to sustain the ecological integrity in KYNP. v DEDICATION To my grandfather for all inspiration vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am heartily thankful to my committee chair, Dr. Sanjay K. Nepal, for his patience and support. Without his encouragement and persistent help, this dissertation would not have been possible. I am also greatly thankful to my committee members, Drs. C. Scott Shafer, Tazim B. Jamal, and Jane M. Packard for their guidance and support throughout the course of my dissertation. Many thanks go to Dr. Noppawan Tanakanjana Phongkhieo, Wanida Jinakoj, numerous Khao Yai National Park staff, my colleagues in Faculty of Forestry at Kasetsart University, my students, and my friends for helping me on field work. I also want to extend my gratitude to the visitors who participated in the study. My research would not have been possible without their help. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Royal Thai Government for providing me the generous scholarship for my Ph.D. Thanks are due to my friends and colleagues and the department faculty and staff for making my time at Texas A&M University a great experience. Finally, thanks to my grandparents, my parents, and my sister for their support and encouragement. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... xi LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1 1.1 National Parks, Tourism, and Environmental Impacts ............ 1 1.2 Dissertation Objectives ............................................................ 6 1.3 Organization of the Dissertation .............................................. 7 1.4 Research Site ............................................................................ 9 II AN OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM IN THAI NATIONAL PARKS ......................................... 13 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................. 13 2.2 Tourism in National Parks of Thailand .................................... 15 2.3 Tourism-related Studies in National Parks of Thailand ........... 20 2.4 Bio-physical Impacts of Visitor Activities in National Parks of Thailand ............................................................................... 22 2.4.1 Soil Impacts ..................................................................... 24 2.4.2 Vegetation Impacts .......................................................... 26 2.4.3 Wildlife Impacts .............................................................. 28 2.4.4 Water Impacts ................................................................. 30 2.5 Conclusion ................................................................................ 35 viii CHAPTER Page III ACTUAL AND PERCEIVED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND ............................ 37 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................. 37 3.2 Literature Review ..................................................................... 39 3.2.1 Bio-physical Impact of Tourism ..................................... 39 3.2.2 Perception of Environmental Impacts ............................. 42 3.3 Methodology ............................................................................ 45 3.3.1 Study Area ....................................................................... 45 3.3.2 Bio-physical Impacts ....................................................... 47 3.3.3 Visitors’ Ratings of Impacts ............................................ 49 3.4 Results ...................................................................................... 50 3.4.1 Existing Bio-physical Impacts of Tourism in KYNP ...... 50 3.4.2 Domestic Visitors’ Rating of Environmental Impacts ............................................................................ 61 3.4.3 Differences between Real and Perceived Impacts .......... 65 3.5 Discussion ................................................................................ 68 3.6 Conclusion ................................................................................ 71 IV ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT RATING: COMPARISON BETWEEN PARK OFFICIALS, DOMESTIC, AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS IN KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND ...................................................... 73 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................. 73 4.2 Literature Review ..................................................................... 75 4.2.1 Perception of Environmental Impact ............................... 75 4.2.2 Visitor versus Manager Perception ................................. 77 4.3 Methodology ............................................................................ 78 4.3.1 Study Area ....................................................................... 78 4.3.2 Visitors’ Rating of Impacts ............................................. 80 4.3.3 Park Officials’ Rating of Impacts .................................... 81 4.4 Results ...................................................................................... 82 4.4.1 Tourism Development in KYNP ..................................... 82 4.4.2 Park Officials’ Rating of Environmental Impacts ........... 84 4.4.3 Domestic Visitors’ Rating of Environmental Impacts ............................................................................ 87 4.4.4 International Visitors’ Rating of Environmental Impacts ...........................................................................