A Small Sea: Evaluating the Implementation of Village-Scale Ecotourism in Thale Noi, Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Small Sea: Evaluating the Implementation of Village-Scale Ecotourism in Thale Noi, Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) A Small Sea: Evaluating the Implementation of Village-scale Ecotourism in Thale Noi, Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) A Thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning in the School of Planning of the college of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning 2015 by Tanner Yess B.A. University of Northern Kentucky December 2009 Committee: Committee Chair: D.J. Edelman, Ph.D Faculty Member: Chris Auffrey, Ph.D. Abstract The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) solidified its geo-political and economic union in 2015. Nature-based and community-based tourism comprise part of a tourism priority sector recognized for the integration of ASEAN’s member states: Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, The Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam. This thesis attempts to evaluate the potential for implementing village-scale ecotourism projects in ASEAN. Thale Noi, Thailand is home an alternative tourism attraction called the “Tourist Walk.” The Tourist Walk is the concentration of this study. Evaluation of the Tourist Walk is addressed by four research questions: 1) What was spent to implement Thale Noi’s Tourist Walk and by whom? 2) How have local attitudes towards the natural environment changed because of the Tourist Walk? 3) What factors should be considered before adopting alternative tourism? 4) How has Thale Noi’s ecotourism attraction “succeeded” and “failed”? Findings revealed that a small amount of capital was needed to start the project- 48,000 Thai Baht or $1,500.40. There was a high level of local support and awareness of the project, however; the project was not managed by a unified entity. The project requires management for viable marketing, planning, and sustainability in the future. Village-scale projects such as the Tourist Walk in Thale, Noi Thailand and throughout ASEAN may require a local champion(s) to work cohesively among all stakeholders. ii iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank my thesis committee, Dr. David Edelman and Dr. Chris Auffrey, for their guidance throughout this process. The faculty of Mahasarakham University, Thailand: Dr. Tarawut Boonlua, Petchladda Petchpakdee, Amarit Moudthong, Sunida Chinnawong, and Jenjira Namuangruk for their patience, translating ability, and cultural guidance. Most importantly- the politicians, administrators, staff, villagers, academics, and students involved with Thale Noi’s Tourist Walk. Their sincerity, accommodation, and good nature made this work possible. iv Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Background 2 1.2 Problem Statement 3 1.3 Expected Output 4 1.4 Benefit to Villages 5 1.5 Research Questions 5 Chapter 2: Literature Review 6 2.1 Ecotourism in ASEAN 6 2.2 The Changing Landscape of Tourism in ASEAN 8 2.3 Ecotourism Development in Thailand 9 2.4 Site-specific Documents 11 2.4.1 Phatthalung Provincial Hall 12 2.4.2 Phanangtung Sub-district Office 13 2.4.3 Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area and Wildlife Preserve 13 2.5 Local attitudes in relation to ecotourism 14 Chapter 3: Methodology 16 3.1 Study Site 16 3.2 Evaluation 22 3.2.1 Data Collection 22 3.2.2 Attitude Survey 23 3.2.3 Observations 23 3.2.4 Interviews 24 3.2.5 Photo Documentation 24 Chapter 4: Results 25 4.1 Research Question #1 26 4.2 Research Question #2 27 4.3 Reseaerch Question #3 30 Chapter 5: Conclusions 36 5.1 How has Thale Noi’s ecotourism “succeeded” and “failed”? 37 5.2 The Tourist Walk and ASEAN 40 5.3 Lessons Learned 41 5.4 Recommendations 43 5.5 Photo Documentation 45 Bibliography 51 v List of Tables and Figures Table 1: Top ten country/regional sources of visitors to ASEAN 8 Table 2: Tourism components ranking for ASEAN compared to Costa Rica 11 Table 3: Tourist visits to Thale Noi’s Non-Hunting Preserve 2011 – 2013 13 Table 4: Research questions with corresponding data source(s) 25 Table 5: Tourist Walk Project Budget 26 Table 6: Sub-district Phanangtung’s 2012 Budget 26 Table 7: Demographics of Survey Participants 28 Table 8: Survey Assessing Attitudes and Awareness 29 Table 9: Phatthalung Tourist Destinations and Percentage of Visitors 31 Table 10: Tourists visiting Phatthalung and Staying in Accommodations 33 Figure 1: Number of Tourists Visiting Phatthalung Province 12 Figure 2: Provincial Thai Governmental Hierarchy 16 Figure 3: Phatthalung Province, Sub-district Phanangtung 17 Figure 4: Map of Thale Noi Wetland 18 Figure 5: Thai Cross-section of the Thale Noi Watershed 20 Figure 6: Translated Cross-section 21 Figure 7: Number of Foreign Tourists Visiting Thale Noi 34 Figure 8: Number of Domestic Tourists Visiting Thale Noi 35 Photo 1: Presence of debris and litter in Village 1 45 Photo 2: Village 1 cleanup initiative 45 vi Photo 3: Krajood Press Station 46 Photo 4: Krajood Press Station 46 Photo 5: Stone Rolling Station 47 Photo 6: Stone Rolling Station 47 Photo 7: Tourist Walk signage in Village 1 48 Photo 8: Training English for a potential Tourist Walk guide program 48 Photo 9: Village 1 Community Garden 49 Photo 10: Krajood Press Station 49 Photo 11: Tourist at Tourist Walk entrance 50 vii 1. Introduction The members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will enter into a geo-political and economic union in 2015. This union will increase connectivity and opportunity for the countries involved, as stated by the ASEAN Secretariat: The vision of ASEAN Leaders to build an ASEAN Community by 2015 calls for a well-connected ASEAN that will contribute towards a more competitive and resilient ASEAN, as it will bring peoples, goods, services and capital closer together. An enhanced ASEAN Connectivity is essential to achieve the ASEAN Community, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASEAN Secretariat 2011, i). According to ASEAN’s Director of Finance, Industry and Infrastructure, tourism has been recognized as one of the twelve priority sectors for integration. Among others types, nature-based and community-based tourism have been identified specifically (Kim, Kang and Sukmajaya 2013). Ecotourism exemplifies these subcategories of tourism. Ecotourism, sustainable development, and alternative tourism are buzzwords for today’s planners, advocates, and tourists. These words are used to encourage the conscientious investment and allocation of resources when employing environmentally and socially responsible tourist attractions, especially in developing countries. According to the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), in 2012, international tourist receipts reached an estimated US $1.075 billion (Center for Responsible Travel 2014). According to the same report, 40% of international travelers seek out nature and culture-based experiences. Sustainable tourism has enormous potential to bring economic benefits to local residents, preserve environmentally important areas and cultural heritage. 1 This research hopes to contribute to current literature on the issues of implementing eco/alternative tourism in Southeast Asia. Thale Noi, in southern Thailand will be the study site for assessing village-scale ecotourism projects. A “Tourist Walk” implemented in 2013 will be evaluated, revealing opportunities and challenges of ecotourism in Thailand, an ASEAN member state. The study hopes to identify village- scale ecotourism implementation strategies and the factors that affect project success. The first task in Thale Noi will be to quantify the resources invested in the Tourist Walk. There will be different metrics defining resources including time, capital investment, and community involvement. After gathering these data, a clearer picture will have emerged about initial investment into a village-scale, community ecotourism project. Mixed methods of case study, interviews, survey, and photographs will be utilized to evaluate Thale Noi’s ecotourism project. These data will help to analyze the “pre” and “post” implications of Thale Noi’s Tourist Walk. The study will also assess the responses of individual residents, businesses, and government agencies. 1.1 Background: Thale Noi, Phatthalung Province, Southern Thailand Thale Noi possesses all of the important components necessary for a successful ecotourism destination (Sunkar and Rachmawati 2013): It is already a popular place domestically for viewing wildlife, there are opportunities for expansion and connection throughout the southern Thailand region, and benefits from existing infrastructure such as parking and accommodations. 2 Thale Noi means “small sea,” and is a community built above a wetland. The wetland is an internationally designated Ramsar Site, important for fish and bird species. The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty committed to sustaining the ecological character of wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Secretariat 1971). The natural environment is Thale Noi’s main resource and attraction, supporting residents’ lifestyles, and is the area’s main economic-driver through tourism. The province of Phatthalung in southern Thailand promotes Thale Noi as one of its main tourist destinations. The Tourist Walk’s focus is on unique cultural lifestyles and environmental sustainability. The project promotes domestic and foreign tourism. This collaboration involves many partners, including local and provincial government officials coordinating with village representatives to achieve implementation. The Tourist Walk highlights the natural environment and
Recommended publications
  • An Updated Checklist of Aquatic Plants of Myanmar and Thailand
    Biodiversity Data Journal 2: e1019 doi: 10.3897/BDJ.2.e1019 Taxonomic paper An updated checklist of aquatic plants of Myanmar and Thailand Yu Ito†, Anders S. Barfod‡ † University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand ‡ Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Corresponding author: Yu Ito ([email protected]) Academic editor: Quentin Groom Received: 04 Nov 2013 | Accepted: 29 Dec 2013 | Published: 06 Jan 2014 Citation: Ito Y, Barfod A (2014) An updated checklist of aquatic plants of Myanmar and Thailand. Biodiversity Data Journal 2: e1019. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.2.e1019 Abstract The flora of Tropical Asia is among the richest in the world, yet the actual diversity is estimated to be much higher than previously reported. Myanmar and Thailand are adjacent countries that together occupy more than the half the area of continental Tropical Asia. This geographic area is diverse ecologically, ranging from cool-temperate to tropical climates, and includes from coast, rainforests and high mountain elevations. An updated checklist of aquatic plants, which includes 78 species in 44 genera from 24 families, are presented based on floristic works. This number includes seven species, that have never been listed in the previous floras and checklists. The species (excluding non-indigenous taxa) were categorized by five geographic groups with the exception of to reflect the rich diversity of the countries' floras. Keywords Aquatic plants, flora, Myanmar, Thailand © Ito Y, Barfod A. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
    [Show full text]
  • Man-Made Island Not Yet Clear for Launch
    Volume 14 Issue 21 News Desk - Tel: 076-236555 May 26 - June 1, 2007 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 25 Baht The Gazette is published Teenager dies in association with Man-made island not in night of yet clear for launch gang violence IN THIS ISSUE By Sompratch Saowakhon NEWS: Tsunami evacuation By Stephen Fein PHUKET CITY: One teenager drills set; Film Fest coming; died on May 20 after a night of Princess visits Phuket. PHUKET: Following reports that gang threats and retaliations Pages 2 & 3 a man-made island was set to be ended in a fatal shooting. The 17- built off the east coast of Phuket year-old victim, Kanchit “Phai” INSIDE STORY: Phi Phi ferry to accommodate a marina for Trupsin, was found at 3 am out- fire. Pages 4 & 5 super-yachts, the Marketing side Muslim Puenrak restaurant AROUND THE REGION: Rough Manager at Royal Phuket Ma- on Anuphas Phuket Kan Rd. weather emergency force. rina clarified that the project is Police were told the inci- Page 7 still in the early planning stages dent began when a passenger and faces many obstacles before riding pillion on a motorbike AROUND THE SOUTH: Security the island can rise from the sea. drove past a group of about 30 force budget request halved. RPM Marketing Director youths in Saphan Hin and pointed Page 8 Wilaiporn Titimanaaree told the a gun at them. Although he did AROUND THE NATION: Happi- Gazette that developer Gulu Lal- not fire the weapon, the group ness index down in the vani would hold a press confer- of 30 gave chase.
    [Show full text]
  • A Checklist of the Amphibians in Thailand
    The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University 1(1): 69-82, August 2001 ©2001 by Chulalongkorn University A Checklist of the Amphibians in Thailand WICHASE KHONSUE* AND KUMTHORN THIRAKHUPT Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, THAILAND ABSTRACT.−A checklist of amphibians in Thailand has been compiled based on literature surveys. Specific name and distribution were gathered from many recent publications. The number of amphibians increased substantially from previous reports. The amphibian fauna of Thailand comprises of 130 species, 8 families, and 3 orders. The literatures of amphibian studies in Thailand were also listed for future cited. KEY WORDS: Checklist; Distribution; Amphibian; Thailand; Southeast Asia several articles during 1915-1923 (Smith, 1915; INTRODUCTION 1916a, b, c; 1917a, b, c, d; 1922a, b, c; 1923). In 1917, he listed 52 amphibian species found Distribution pattern of amphibian fauna is to inhabit in Siam (=Thailand) (Smith, mainly affected by rainfall, pattern of 1917a,b,c,d). Later on, some of these species vegetation and geography. Biogeographically, were changed by other authors. During 1957- Thailand is located among 4 types of regions 1958 and 1959-1960, Edward H. Taylor, an including Northeastern montane region in American scientist under the Fullbright northern and western part, Thai-Lao dry scholarship, did thorough field surveys and plateau in northeastern part, Southeast Asian researches on herpetofauna of Thailand. He lowland in central and eastern part, and published “The amphibian fauna of Thailand” Tenasserim and Malay Peninsular in southern in 1962 listing 100 species of amphibian found part of Thailand (Inger, 1999). Peninsular in Thailand (Taylor, 1962).
    [Show full text]
  • Heveadapt: How Can Thai Rubber Smallholders Face Global Challenges?
    Heveadapt: How can Thai rubber smallholders face global challenges? by Philippe Thaler 1, Bénédicte Chambon 2, Pierre-Marie Bosc 3, Eric Penot 4, Henri Robain 5, Frédéric Do 6, Frédéric Gay 7, Uraiwan Tongkaemkaew 8, Nopmanee Suvannang 9, Karn Trisophon 10, Kannika Sajjaphan 11, Poonpipope Kasemsap12 1 Cirad, UMR Eco&Sols, Hevea Research Platform in Partnership, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Cirad, UPR 34, Hevea Research Platform in Partnership, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Cirad, UMR MOISA, Montpellier, France 4 Cirad, UMR Innovation, Montpellier, France 5 IRD, UMR iEES Paris, Bondy, France 6 IRD, UMR Eco&Sols, Montpellier, France 7 Cirad, UMR Eco&Sols, Montpellier, France 8 Faculty of Technology and Community Development, Thaksin University, Phatthalung province, Thailand 9 Office of Science for Land Development, LDD, Bangkok, Thailand 10 Land Development Department, Regional Office 6, Chiang Mai, Thailand 11 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand 12 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Heveadapt is a multidisciplinary project on the sustainability of Thai rubber farms, mainly smallholders, facing global changes. Examples of the ongoing studies show how biophysical factors interact with socio-economic ones to determine the risks faced by farmers, and the possible coping strategies. The shortage of manpower and low rubber price could be answered by Low Intensity Tapping Systems (LITS) increasing the return to labour and by diversification, such as agroforestry. It is difficult to reduce tapping frequencies because farms are small and hired tappers are paid by crop-sharing. Contracts would have to be renegotiated and tappers work for several farmers. Moreover access to other sources of income could be limited.
    [Show full text]
  • The History of Nang Talung :'Shadow Play' from Asia to Southern Thailand
    The History of Nang Talung :‘Shadow play’ from Asia to Southern Thailand Nualmorakot Taweethong, Ph.D. Candidate (Historical Archaeology), Faculty of Archaeology Silpakorn University Abstract Nang Talung is a traditional shadow play, which is a favorite folk entertainment for people in southern Thailand that it has become the symbol of the local life in that region. The awe-inspiring and artistic performances are normally accompanied by a combination of moral-teaching songs and chants, some of which have been adapted according to the economic, political, social and cultural changes. There are many different theories about the origin of Nang Talung . From the evidence it was believe that it is one of the puppetry arts dated from the Srivijaya or Tambralinga kingdom era. Other theories believe that it is derived from the Javanese Wayang Kulit (Javanese shadow puppet) and some people believe that Nang Talung originated in the Ayutthaya or early Rattanakosin period it’s adapted from Nang Yai (The central Thailand shadow play). The studies reveal that the southern Nang Talung features the Srivijaya and Tambralinga shadow play characteristics, which are influenced by the imported Indian and Chinese civilizations. The shadow play has a long history that can be traced back to show that it adopts Nang Yai (large figures shadow puppet traditionally held in open spaces) and the Javanese puppetry arts, which results in smaller Wayang Kulit figures being used in the performances . Nang Talung is usually the adaptation of folk literature. In the Rattanakosin period, the shadow play figures were similar to those used in the performances such as Ramayana in Bangkok.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Download
    Tropical Natural History 21(2): 244-262, August 2021 ©2021 by Chulalongkorn University A Checklist of Nycteribiid and Streblid Bat Flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) from Thailand with Thirteen New Records for the Country ABDULLOH SAMOH1, VATANYA PANTIP2 AND PIPAT SOISOOK1* 1Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Prince of Songkla University, Kho Hong, Hat Yai, Songkla, 90110, THAILAND 2Division of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Kho Hong, Hat Yai, Songkla, 90110, THAILAND *Corresponding author. Pipat Soisook ([email protected]) Received: 30 March 2021; Accepted: 24 June 2021 ABSTRACT.– The Nycteribiidae and Streblidae are known as two families of obligate blood sucking ectoparasites of bats. Recent data on nycteribiid and streblid bat flies collected from 15 provinces in Thailand during 2018–2020 are hereby presented with data from previous studies. This study recorded 26 species belonging to nine genera of Nycteribiidae and Streblidae known to be associated with 44 host bats species. Thirteen species of which, 11 nycteribiids and two streblids, are herein recorded from Thailand for the first time. Altogether with previously reported records, this paper lists a total of 59 known bat flies, 43 nycteribiids and 16 streblids, with their 63 associated host bat species. KEY WORDS: bats; bat flies; Chiroptera; checklist; Nycteribiidae; Streblidae appearance in the family Nycterbiidae, INTRODUCTION absent of eyes in some genera (e.g., Nycteribia, Phthiridium, and some species Bat flies (Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) of Basilia), and wingless; while the family have been known as blood-sucking ectoparasite Streblidae (such as Brachytarsina, Megastrebla, of bats and some literatures presumably Raymondia) is rather hairy than the former suggested that these flies can be transmitted family and having a pair of wings.
    [Show full text]
  • In Southern Thailand: a Case Study in Provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Trang
    International Journal of Agricultural Technology 2019 Vol. 15(4): 645-664 Available online http://www.ijat-aatsea.com ISSN 2630-0192 (Online) Rubber production system and livelihood of smallholding rubber farming system (SRFS) in southern Thailand: A case study in provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Trang Somboonsuke, B.1 * , Yincharoen, A.2, Kongmanee, C.3 and Phitthayaphinant, P.4 1,2Department of Agricultural Development, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus, Thailand; 3Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Economics, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus, Thailand; 4Faculty of Technology and Community Development, Thaksin University, Phatthalung Campus, Thailand. Somboonsuke, B. , Yincharoen, A., Kongmanee, C. and Phitthayaphinant, P. (2019). Rubber production system and livelihood of smallholding rubber farming system (SRFS) in southern Thailand: A case study in provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Trang. International Journal of Agricultural Technology 15(4): 645-664. Abstract The farming system, production management, technology usage, livelihood, vulnerability, and factors was examined the influence on the vulnerability of livelihoods of smallholding rubber farmers along with other agricultural activities. The studied locations were those of Pa Bon district, Tamot district, Bang Kaeo district in Phatthalung province; Ron Phibun district and Lan Saka district in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province; and Na Yong district, Kantang district, and Yan Ta Khao district in Trang province. The number of 399 households and 60 key informants were selected as a sample group. The results indicated that working with rubber farming could be classified into 5 systems that were 1) mono-rubber-tree farming system (53.85%), 2) inter-fruit-tree with the rubber-tree farming system(14.48%) such as durian and longkong, 3) rubber-tree with rice farming system (8.27%), 4) rubber-tree with the oil-palm farming system (19.22%), and 5) rubber-tree farming with animal raising system (4.18%).
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Mani Settlements in Satun Province, Southern Thailand
    RECENT MANI SETTLEMENTS IN SATUN PROVINCE, SOUTHERN THAILAND Gerd Albrecht* and Johannes Moser** Abstract The Mani people are hunter-gatherers living in the western part of peninsular Thailand, north of the Malaysian border. During field campaigns in 1995 and 1996 the occupation of ten rock shelters and nine forest camps were recorded. All these belong to the present-day system of up to one hundred different living sites, inhabited by Mani groups during one year in the forested region of Trang, Satun and Phatthalung Provinces. Most of the camps studied could be assigned to a specific Mani group, and it was even possible to tell individual housing habits apart. Beside documentation of the camps, the authors were able to construct kinship structures for 179 persons, belonging to six generations for the Mani. In addition, four prehistoric sites, related to the Hoabinhian and/ or the Neolithic, were discovered. Research on the Manil Bernatzik (1962). Significant information on Mani life has recently published by Suwat The Mani are the northernmost group of the Thonghom (1995) with the help of the Trang Semang, or Orang Asli, of the forest areas of provincial authorities. These publications are the Thai-Malaysian Peninsula. The dense, and the main source of data on the Mani groups of previously well preserved, forests of Trang, southern Thailand. Satun and Phatthalung provinces were, and Today, the Mani number just over 140 indeed still are, the home for hunter-gatherer individuals, nearly the same number as 60 years groups of the Mani (mani, meaning 'we people', ago, as recorded by Bernatzik.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecosystem Function Assessment and Participatory Modelling for Community Forest Management at Lainan Subdistrict, Wiang Sa District, Nan Province
    ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION ASSESSMENT AND PARTICIPATORY MODELLING FOR COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGEMENT AT LAINAN SUBDISTRICT, WIANG SA DISTRICT, NAN PROVINCE Mr. Wuthiwong Wimolsakcharoen A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Program in Biological Sciences Common Course Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University Academic Year 2019 Copyright of Chulalongkorn University การประเมินฟงกชันของระบบนิเวศและการสรางแบบจําลองอยางมีสวนรวม สําหรับการจัดการปาชุมชนที่ตําบลไหลนาน อําเภอเวียงสา จังหวัดนาน นายวุฒิวงศ วิมลศักดิ์เจริญ วิทยานิพนธนี้เปนสวนหนึ่งของการศึกษาตามหลักสูตรปริญญาวิทยาศาสตรดุษฎีบัณฑิต สาขาวิชาวิทยาศาสตรชีวภาพ ไมสังกัดภาควิชา/เทียบเทา คณะวิทยาศาสตร จุฬาลงกรณมหาวิทยาลัย ปการศึกษา 2562 ลิขสิทธิ์ของจุฬาลงกรณมหาวิทยาลัย Dissertation Title: ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION ASSESSMENT AND PARTICIPATORY MODELLING FOR COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGEMENT AT LAINAN SUBDISTRICT, WIANG SA DISTRICT, NAN PROVINCE By: Mr. Wuthiwong Wimolsakcharoen Field of Study: Biological Sciences Dissertation Advisor: Assistant Professor Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana, Ph.D. Dissertation Co-advisors: Guy Trébuil, Ph.D. Christophe Le Page, Ph.D. Accepted by the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy ………………………………… Dean of the Faculty of Science (Professor Polkit Sangvanich, Ph.D.) DISSERTATION COMMITTEE ………………………………… Chairman (Assistant Professor Noppadon Kitana, Ph.D.) ………………………………… Dissertation Advisor (Assistant Professor Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana, Ph.D.)
    [Show full text]
  • Diptera: Culicidae) from Southern Thailand
    Zootaxa 3895 (3): 427–432 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3895.3.7 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:81031E46-DD01-438D-B131-82557534AFF8 Nyctomyia biunguiculata, a new cavernicolous species of tribe Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae) from southern Thailand RALPH E. HARBACH1 & KRITSANA TAAI2 1Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum (NHM), Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK. E-mail: [email protected] 2Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Nyctomyia biunguiculata, sp. n., is described from a unique male reared from a pupa (exuviae partially decomposed and over cleared) collected from a rimstone pool deep inside Wat Sumano cave located in Phatthalung Province of southern Thailand. The genitalia of the holotype are illustrated, and the species is compared with Nc. pholeocola, the type species of the genus described from a cave in another province of southern Thailand. The species has not been found outside the cave and appears to be a true troglobite. Key words: Nyctomyia biunguiculata sp. n., Nc. pholeocola, mosquito, taxonomy, troglobite Introduction Caves harbour a number of distinct and interesting mosquito species. These are true cavernicolous species that are restricted to specific caves and have no apparent close relatives in the outside environment. They seemingly evolved from ancestors which had a propensity for entering caves in search of food sources, used cavernicolous water bodies for oviposition and gave rise to isolated cave-dwelling populations that evolved independently from the epigean parental stocks.
    [Show full text]
  • Population of Waterbirds in the Breeding Colony at Khuan Khi Sian, Thailand’S First Ramsar Site
    The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University 2(1):51-58, February 2002 ©2002 by Chulalongkorn University Population of Waterbirds in the Breeding Colony at Khuan Khi Sian, Thailand’s First Ramsar Site WATCHARAPORN KAEWDEE 1*, KUMTHORN THIRAKHUPT 2 AND SCHWANN TUNHIKORN 3 1 Department of Secondary School, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd., Bangkok 10330, THAILAND 2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd., Bangkok 10330, THAILAND 3 Wildlife Conservation Division, Royal Forest Department, Phaholyothin Rd., Bangkok 10900, THAILAND ABSTRACT.– This study investigated the species composition, population size and population fluctuation of waterbirds in Melaleuca swamp forest at Khuan Khi Sian, Thale Noi Non-hunting Area, Phatthalung Province, southern Thailand. The study was conducted from April 1998 to March 1999. The number of waterbirds was counted monthly and some envi- ronmental factors were also observed. It was found that the Melaleuca swamp forest was a breeding site of five species of waterbirds, consisting of Phalacrocorax niger, Ardea purpurea, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta garzetta and Nycticorax nycticorax. This area was also served as a night roosting site for a rare migratory species, Threskiornis melanocephalus from April to July. The population density of waterbirds in the breeding colony greatly fluctuated throughout the year, but peaked in May when the number reached 20,430 individuals. The lowest number was 136 in September. Of all the waterbirds, only P. niger and A. purpurea used this breeding area throughout the year. Considering environmental factors, the number of B. ibis, N. nycticorax and T. melanocephalus showed correlations with mean temperature, relative humidity and total rainfall.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of Dairy Milk Business in Phatthalung Province and Development Approaches to Its Sustainability
    Kasetsart J. (Soc. Sci) 35 : 147 - 157 (2014) ว. เกษตรศาสตร์ (สังคม) ปีที่ 35 : 147 - 157 (2557) Status of Dairy Milk Business in Phatthalung Province and Development Approaches to Its Sustainability Somruthai Khunthong, Kodchamonporn Thongkaew, Kannika Dacha, Youparat Fongsoovan, Laddarat Sukkhird and Kriengsak Pattamarakha* ABSTRACT The study aimed to investigate: 1) the management of the production of dairy milk by farmers in Phatthalung province, 2) the management of milk processing by a dairy milk cooperative, and 3) opinions on approaches to developing a sustainable dairy business. The district extension officer, 4 staff of the dairy milk cooperative—namely, the director of the cooperative, the manager, the chief of production, and the chief of finance—and 53 dairy farmers were interviewed. The findings revealed that most farmers raised Holstein Friesian (black and white) cattle. About half of the dairy farmers had less than 20 head of dairy cattle. They fed their cows concentrates twice daily coupled with grass or roughage. They milked their cattle using milking machines. Most had their own pasture, but the grass and roughage were insufficient to feed their cattle. Their milk production was around 8–9 kilograms per head per day which was rather low. The cooperative bought the raw milk at 17–18 baht per kilogram depending on the quality of the milk. The price was fair and the farmers were satisfied with it. Mastitis, a low conception rate, and inadequate grass and roughage were mentioned as the main problems they faced. Daily, the cooperative processed 40 tonnes of dairy milk and processed 20,000 milk bags, which it had no problem in marketing.
    [Show full text]