262 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

The Conservation of Coastal Surfing Resources in : The

Steven Andrew Martin Interdisciplinary Study Lecturer, Faculty of International Studies, Prince of Songkla University, Campus 80 Moo 1, Vichitsongkram Rd., Kathu, Phuket 83120 Thailand E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (66) 0857919242

Abstract

Over the previous decade, concern for the value, management, and conservation of coastal surfing resources is evident in the research literature and the touristic academy. However, the vast majority of research is centered on prolific surfing destinations, especially Indo-Pacific , where experienced surfers seek world-class waves. Comparatively, Thailand is a non-prolific surfing destination where Thai and foreign residents, and a variety of tourists, are surfing with increasing interest, especially on the Andaman Coast and particularly on the resort of Phuket. Although a considerable number of coastal resource assessments have been carried out in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami by the Thai government and numerous organizations from around the world, coastal surfing resources are absent from the coastal resource literature. Consequently, this research finds that there is no mechanism in place to identify, evaluate, or conserve these resources. Thus, framed as an exploratory investigation of the physical environment, this research serves to fill the gap in the literature through the systematic documentation and assessment of coastal surfing resources in six Andaman provinces. The study identifies sixty-one surfing areas and finds that these resources are indeed valuable in terms of recreation, tourism, and as iconic areas of aesthetic beauty. The investigation offers a discussion on the implication of integrating Thailand‟s surfing areas into the existing coastal resource management schema for the benefit of sustainability and conservation of these resources.

Key Words: Surfing, Coastal Resource, Conservation, Andaman, Phuket, Thailand

1. INTRODUCTION six Andaman provinces. In this research, the term „value‟ does not intend to place a The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami pecuniary value or infer the potential to ushered a new era of coastal research and exploit the resource; rather it is used to coastal resource management in Thailand, identify the reality and significance of the with renewed attention to the vulnerability of resource. This research brings the discussion the Andaman coast, including of coastal surfing resources to light; it forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, fisheries, presents a case that indeed these resources and the coastal inhabitants who interact with exist and identifies a range of related issues in the natural environment and each other. order to open a pathway for the conservation However, previous to the works generated by of the resource for future generations. This the researcher (Martin and Assenov, 2008; research is relevant as Thailand faces a Martin, 2009; Martin, 2010a; Martin, 2010b), number of environmental resource challenges coastal surfing resources were not included in along the Andaman seaboard and surfing the Thai coastal resource literature. Framed as could prove beneficial to such awareness to an exploratory investigation of the physical individuals, communities, and the tourism environment, this research serves to fill the industry. From an institutional standpoint, gap in the literature through the systematic Thai and international organizations can documentation of coastal surfing resources in integrate and benefit from this research.

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1.1 Introduction to surfing in Thailand Coast. Relevant research questions include: what are the locations of various surfing areas Currently, there are approximately in each province; where do the waves come three hundred surfers in Phuket, including from; what type of waves are occurring; what Thai nationals and foreign residents, and surf are the differences among the six coastal tourism is an emerging market segment on the provinces; how does the regional coastal Andaman Coast, especially in Phuket and bathymetry affect the waves for surfing; what Phang Nga provinces. Although surf tourism is the value of the resource in terms of in the region serves to annualize the tourist recreation, tourism, and as iconic areas of season (attract visitation during the monsoon aesthetic beauty. The research problem season, which occurs from May through identifies a need for the value of Thailand‟s October) and to address issues of seasonality physical surfing resources to be integrated in terms of tourism receipts and positive with long-term coastal resource management imagery, it has also increased the attention to and conservation planning; it identifies that environmental issues, such as water quality the knowledge on Thailand‟s coastal surfing (Martin, 2010). Furthermore, increased environment has yet to expand to a degree visitation during the monsoon season has beneficial to all stakeholders. come with an increase in tourist drownings (Martin 2010a; b). Although the number of 1.3 Related literature surf tourists to Thailand is not clear, the researcher estimates that several thousand The literature review is centered on a tourists engage in the activity annually. The relatively new area of coastal resource first surfing competition began in 1999 at management, particularly the value of surfing Kata Beach and in 2010 Quiksilver Inc. areas as a coastal resource; it serves to frame propelled surfing in Thailand into the global the concepts of surf economics, surf tourism, media under the auspice of their „Best Event‟ and the coastal management and conservation global media strategy. As surfers from of surfing areas as new and developing overseas now visit Thailand, Phuket is categories in the international coastal resource legitimately an emerging surf tourism literature. destination during the southwest monsoon season. Regional ties among surfing 1.3.1 Identifying the value of surf sites organizations are increasing in South East The socioeconomics of surfing has Asia, especially among Thailand, emerged as a leveraging tool to recognize the and . At the time of writing, surf value of surfing areas and for the protection tourism has kindled entrepreneurial spirit of coastal surfing resources. Nelson et al. among beach vendors and is evident by the (2007) characterized the domestic surfboard rental stands on many of the Phuket demographics, visitation patterns, and surf beaches. expenditures of surfers who visit Trestles Beach in San Clemente, California. The 1.2 The Research Problem research identified that a considerable number of surfers used the area and contributed a The research problem stems from a surprising amount of revenue to the local lack of understanding concerning the value of community. Lazarow et al. (2007) explored Thailand‟s surfing areas in concurrence with the value of recreational surfing in order to the broad environment. Buckley (2002a) improve decision making for coastal identifies that surfing environments have a environments, especially in the context and limited capacity to support sustainable use, need to consider negative impacts on surf yet the popularity of surfing among Thais, breaks and the natural environment that may foreign residents, and tourists in Thailand is occur as a result of planning, development, on the increase. As reflected in the absence of and coastal protection works. Lazarow et al. published literature, little has been (2008) observed market expenditure and documented regarding the physical nonmarket valuation, describing the socio- environment for surfing on the Andaman economic value of surfing and demonstrating 264 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

the significant economic, social, and cultural while coastal ecosystems provided benefits to importance of surfing amenity alongside the society, especially recreational opportunities, need to consider negative impacts resulting coastal values were not well understood. The from development or coastal protection works study indicated that coastal management and on surf breaks and the natural environment. public policy decisions should consider the The study introduced a typology of „surfing total economic value of host ecosystems. capital‟ as a means of identifying market and Green (2008) identifies the significance of the non-market aspects of surfing areas and physical, ecological and socio-economic includes a wide range of physical and social context and of area-specific activities, which categories. reported on the human and physical In the context of international tourism, environments of the Cornwall seaboard and Pendleton (2002) explored the valuation of offered insight for coastal management coastal tourism, including „slow tourism‟ through exploring eleven beaches for water- whereby expatriates may influence the based leisure activities, especially the market. Although focused on the hotel carrying capacity for surfing and surf schools. market, the research considers the draw Scarfe (2008) presents the argument for factors to coastal Rincon‟s tourism market, the physical science behind coastal such as surfing, diving, and fishing. Murphy management of surfing areas and builds a and Bernal (2008) recognized the impact of case for surf break management and surfing on the local economy of Mundaka, conservation, presenting the value, scarcity, Spain, as one of the region‟s leading and conservation of the resource using economic sources and the consequences of scientific data and steers the field toward the the partial destruction of the area‟s best physical sciences. Scarfe et al. (2009a) noted surfing destination resulting in the cancelation that as the social, economic, and of international surf competitions and the environmental benefits of surfing breaks are discernible loss of tourism revenue. realized, surfers are increasing integral to the integrated coastal zone management course of 1.3.2 Surf sites as a coastal resource action. Slotkin et al. (2009) presented Lazarow and Castelle (2007) produced research linking surf tourism, artificial surfing a management research report which reefs, and environmental sustainability, which investigated physical processes and options places the discussion of surf tourism in leading to the potential improvement of surf context with the artificial surf reef (ASR) quality at Australia‟s Kirra Beach and the literature and ties surf tourism to coastal surrounding surf breaks whilst maintaining management in both physical and social coastal integrity, especially in the science perspectives. Although the ASR consideration of surfing as a major literature was not included in this brief recreational and commercial activity in the literature review, it is inherently tied to Gold Coast area. The research explored the surfing as a coastal resource and the stakeholder engagement process (community, protection and conservation of shoreline industry, and government), seeking to areas. ASR literature began in the mid 1990‟s improve surfing amenity in the context of and is continuative until today. economic, management, and liability Conservation of natural surfing considerations (ibid.) The study was a resources has emerged in Australia with reaction to a combination of engineering research including that of Hugues-Dit-Ciles et works which had altered natural coastal al. (2005) which explored the development processes in the area and negatively affected and management of surf tourism in wilderness how the waves break at the surfing site. areas and its potential impacts on the natural In the context of oceanography and environment. Farmer and Short (2007) put coastal zone management, Kelly (2008) forth Australian National Surfing Reserves - explored the coastal recreation values of Rationale and Process for Recognizing Iconic saltwater fishing and surfing wherein Surfing Locations, which provided Florida‟s economy was identified to have background and examination for an strong ties to natural coastal resources, and Australian surfing reserve system based on ICENR 2010 “The Changing Environment: Challenges for Society” 10-12 November, 2010 265

the premise of surfing as an Australian The greater part of data and map design stem cultural heritage and a means to long-term from the researcher‟s field observations, preservation of world-class surfing sites as a including those gained from surfing and coastal resource. exploring coastal areas by surfboard. As an exploratory research, the process was 2. METHODS systematic:

Given the identifiable value of natural . Explore the littoral and identify surfing resources in the literature, the potential surfing areas. assessment of surfing areas is foundational to . Document findings with detailed field indentifying the nation‟s potential for the notes, photography, and hand-drawn conservation of surfing areas. Given the maps. limited body of research on surfing in . Organize and analyze information Thailand, an exploratory research has been gathered in the field. adopted to investigate and assess coastal . Make assessments and generate surfing resources along the approximately descriptions and maps. 800-kilometer Andaman littoral, including . Employ Google Earth technology to insular areas. The research engages an pinpoint surfing breaks. inductive approach based upon the . Return to surf sites for clarification of researcher‟s knowledge, supposition, and data. prior research results. . Identify relevant topics for discussion. The Andaman Coast, as the primary research . Present findings in summaries, tables site, was selected for the following reasons: and maps. . The researcher identified a gap in the Google Earth technology has been Thai coastal resource literature on the employed to plot latitude and longitude topic of surfing areas. coordinates (as displayed in the assessment . The researcher is based at Prince of tables found herein) and reflect the „take off‟ Songkla University, Phuket Campus, zone where surfers would position themselves affording access to academic to catch the wave at the „peak‟ (the location materials. where the wave first begins to break). In such . Opportunities were available to the case, the words „specific area‟ has been researcher for participant observation placed under the latitude/longitude data. If the at surfing areas and during surfing coordinates represent an entire beach or competitions. section of beach, which may encompass more . Thailand‟s tourism atmosphere and than one surfing area, the words „general infrastructure (including well- area‟ have been placed under the developed roads), make it an inviting latitude/longitude data. One area or beach and favorable study location in which with multiple surfing sites may have more the researcher was able to carry out than one entry, such as when there is a rock or independent exploratory research in reef point extending from a surfing beach. various provinces on the Andaman This is significant inasmuch as surfing breaks, Coast. especially point and reef breaks, occur in very . Accessibility and prospect of new and specific locations and were therefore rich sources of field data. identified and recorded accordingly. In all cases the most northerly surfing break is 2.1 Research design listed first.

At the prospect of identifying and This research is focused on the surfing charting surf sites on the entire Andaman resources and the physical environment of the Coast, a three-year (2007-2010) coastal Andaman Coast, and it is from this position survey and mapping research was conducted. that the following results are framed. For 266 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

practical reasons, environmental factors waves regardless to the fact that provinces to which mitigate the resource, such as water the north have a better swell window to the quality, the health of coral reefs, effects from southern Indian Ocean. As the continental tin mining, etc., are not reported in this shelf is wider to the north and south of research paper. Appendices are listed in order Phuket, the sea depths along the Andaman of appearance. coast decrease relationally in latitudes north and south of Phuket. The near-shore 3. Results continental shelf is approximately 110 kilometers wide in the north ( and 3.1 Bathymetry Phang Nga provinces), narrowing approximately to 25 kilometers near Phuket This research indicates that bathymetry and widening again to about 130 km in the varies at different latitudes along Thailand‟s south (Trang and provinces). However, Andaman Coast and this affects wave speeds offshore islands, such as the of and heights (waves approaching a particular have deeper coastal coast from deep water travel faster than waters than those compared to the continental waves approaching over shallow water). The coast and may experience more significant research identifies that the deepest water on wave heights. Approximate water depths are Thailand‟s Andaman Coast is found near displayed in Figure 1. Phuket; hence Phuket has the best surfing

Figure 1: Bathymetry of the Andaman Coast 3.2 Meteorology travel and the corresponding accessibility to a given coastal area) are the significant aspects Swell directions and swell windows for investigation and they are correlated with (the direction which a given set of waves the weather phenomena which generate the ICENR 2010 “The Changing Environment: Challenges for Society” 10-12 November, 2010 267

waves. The following notes are in a general propagate large swells ranging from the and prospective context: southwest through northwest. Depending . The southwesterly monsoon weather on the location of a specific storm, the pattern (May through October) generates ocean swells they create may either windswell from the southwest through directly pass through The Great Channel west, and the narrow regional swell or The Ten Degree Channel, or if waves window (through The Great Channel) propagate west of these channels, have a restricts surfing waves from reaching the direct hit on Thailand‟s Andaman Coast. southern provinces of Krabi, Trang, and Related implications include that Satun. northwesterly swells directions enter the . Indian Ocean groundswells are distinctive Andaman southern region of Krabi, Trang, given the quality of the waves and the and Satun provinces. Overall, these storms potential to arrive throughout the year, may generate regional groundswell or including the high season (when weather windswell with a significant degree of conditions on the Andaman Coast are westerly direction and send large ocean highly favorable). However, the swell waves which have a direct hit on the window for Indian Ocean groundswell Andaman Coast, and these storms can (through The Great Channel) is produce high-quality surfing waves at a measurably narrow whereby only explicit variety of locations including the southern swell directions are favorable. provinces. . Cyclonic storms, including depressions, tropical storms, and cyclones, may

Figure 2: Surf Meteorology of Thailand‟s Andaman Coast

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3.3 Inventory of the resource located and assessed by the researcher prior to September 2010. Results are presented from The researcher has identified approximately the northernmost province (Ranong) to the 61 areas on the Andaman Coast. As southernmost (Satun). aforementioned, this is not an exhaustive account, rather it represents surfing areas

Figure 3: Surf Sites of the Andaman Coast Thailand

3.3.1 Ranong Province degree of latitude before arriving at the island. Ranong was found to have negligible Of note, the inshore bathymetry is in the 0-20 surfing resources (approximately 4 surf sites), meter range which is comparable to Phuket. save for Ao Yai Beach on Ko Phayam, which Regarding other swell types and directions, receives wave activity from both windswell the island is sheltered by Zaddetkyi Kyun and groundswell and can offer a degree of Island and Than Kyun Island of ‟s surfing opportunity year-round. The beach is to the north and west favorably open to groundswell, while respectively. Overall, the Laem Son area, unfavorably it is open to monsoon wind flow. including Bang Ben Beach, is fronted by a 10 Furthermore, while the area has a more kilometer shelf of 0-20 meters and has favorable swell window than Phuket for comparatively less-favorable inshore groundswells generated in the Southern bathymetry than Ko Phayam. However, some Indian Ocean, the regional bathymetry is less degree of windswell is able to penetrate the favorable than Phuket. This is to say that area and surfing waves can be found there, groundswell must pass over a wide although infrequent and of generally poor continental shelf (20-40 meters depth) at a quality. southerly angle and cross nearly one full

ICENR 2010 “The Changing Environment: Challenges for Society” 10-12 November, 2010 269

Table 1: Surfing Areas of Ranong Province Toponym Latitude / Type Governance / Access (and detail) Longitude 9°43'4.55"N 1 Ao Yai Beach 98°23'37.62"E beach break [MPA] (specific area) 9°36'25.61"N Laem Son National Park 2 Bang Ben Beach 98°27'44.98"E beach break [MPA] (general area) 9°31'29.22"N Laem Son National Park 3 Laem Son 98°26'34.77"E beach break [MPA] (general area)

3.3.2 Phang Nga Province reasonable to conclude that out of 216 Phang Nga has the longest coastline of kilometers of provincial coastline there is the Andaman provinces and the second relatively limited surfing space. Although largest inventory of surfing resources with a Phang Nga has a larger south-southwest swell minimum of 16 surfing areas. These surfing window than Phuket, it has a wide and sites are clustered in the Khao Lak/Laem shallow continental shelf which negates much Pakarang area and to some extent in the Na or all of the advantages gained by the Tai Pier area (Khao Pilao Beach). Therefore, increased swell exposure, resulting in waves alongside the given weather conditions and with generally less power and „punch‟ than wave activity of the Phang Nga littoral, it is similar surfing breaks on Phuket.

Table 2: Surfing Areas of Phang Nga Province

Toponym Latitude / Type Governance / Access (and detail) Longitude 9°26'42.98"N 1 Surin Islands 97°51'26.14"E inconclusive results Mu Ko Surin National Park (general area) 9°12'53.36"N 2 Ko Ra 98°16'31.74" beach breaks Public access (boat) (general area) 9° 4'49.31"N 3 98°14'31.21"E beach breaks Public access (boat) (general area) 8°56'32.62"N 4 Ko Kho Khao 98°15'15.17"E beach breaks Public access (car ferry) (general area) 8°44'35.60"N Cape Pakarang point break over coral 5 98°13'3.25"E Public access (The Corner) deposits (specific area) 8°44'18.71"N Cape Pakarang 6 98°13'0.61"E reef break Public access (The Tree) (specific area) 8°43'26.27"N Cape Pakarang 7 98°12'58.93"E point/reef break Public access (Taxi Dave‟s) (specific area) 8°43'16.28"N Cape Pakarang 8 98°13'45.27"E beach break Public access (The Beach) (specific area) 8°41'28.22"N 9 Khuk Khak Beach 98°14'18.94"E beach break Public access (specific area) 270 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

Toponym Latitude / Type Governance / Access (and detail) Longitude 8°40'25.74"N 10 Bang Niang Beach 98°14'23.02"E beach break Public access (specific area) 8°38'35.72"N Nang Thong Beach 11 98°14'42.39"E beach break Public access (north of lighthouse) (specific area) Nang Thong Beach 8°38'32.09"N 12 (outside of 98°14'35.72"E beach break Public access lighthouse) (specific area) 8°38'27.68"N Nang Thon Beach 13 98°14'42.17"E beach break Public access (south of lighthouse) (specific area) 8°36'36.42"N Access through Merlin 14 „Mystos‟ 98°13'59.18"E reef/rock Hotel (general area) 8°16'59.06"N North of Na Tai 15 98°16'25.12"E beach break Public access (small bridge) (specific area) 8°16'24.79"N Na Tai Pier 16 98°16'31.76"E beach break Public access (north side) (specific area) 8°16'20.88"N Na Tai Pier 17 98°16'32.94"E beach break Public access (south side) (specific area) 8°16'15.38"N Na Tai 18 98°16'29.25"E rock/reef break Public access (rock/reef break) (specific area)

3.3.3 six Andaman provinces (Figure 1) and The research found that Phuket, with a therefore surfing waves in Phuket are the minimum of 29 surfing areas, is the province generally the largest and most powerful in with the most frequently occurring high surf Thailand. In overview, surfing areas in Phuket and greatest number of surfing sites. This is are somewhat clustered in the Nai Yang attributed mainly to the favorable bathymetry coastal area, the Pansea, Surin, and Laem and coastal topography of the island. Water Sing coastal area, the Kalim Beach area depth along the west coast of Phuket, (which has more than one surfing area on the especially the southwestern coast, is the local reef), and the Kata Yai / Kata Noi deepest (both inshore and offshore) among all coastal area.

Table 3: Surfing Areas of Phuket Province

Toponym Latitude / Type Governance / Access (and detail) Longitude 8°11'55.00"N Sarasin Sand 1 98°16'39.19"E offshore sandbanks Public access Banks (specific area) 8°11'41.56"N Sirinat Marine National 2 Sai Kaew Beach 98°16'58.58"E beach break [rights] Park (specific area) [MPA] 8°11‟3.19”N Sirinat Marine National 3 Sai Kaew Beach 98°17‟17.59”E beach break [rights/lefts] Park (specific area) [MPA] ICENR 2010 “The Changing Environment: Challenges for Society” 10-12 November, 2010 271

Toponym Latitude / Type Governance / Access (and detail) Longitude 8° 9'56.32"N Sirinat Marine National 4 Mai Kao Beach 98°17'32.95"E beach breaks [rights/lefts] Park (general area) [MPA] Nai Yang 8° 5'59.47"N Sirinat Marine National 5 (middle reef) 98°17'31.52"E reef break [rights/lefts] Park („Parking lots‟) (specific area ) [MPA] 8° 5'37.24"N Sirinat Marine National Nai Yang 6 98°17'51.99"E beach break [rights/lefts] Park (beach break) (specific area) [MPA] Nai Yang 8° 5'22.11"N Sirinat Marine National 7 (reef point) 98°17'18.99"E reef point break [lefts] Park (the „Island‟) (specific area) [MPA] 8° 3'31.55"N beach breaks [rights & 8 Nai Thon 98°16'34.88"E lefts] Public access (general area) 8° 2'49.45"N beach breaks [rights & Access through 9 Nai Thon Noi 98°16'37.39"E lefts] Andaman White Hotel (general area) 8° 2'8.18"N beach breaks [rights & Access through 10 Trisara Beach 98°16'29.83"E lefts] Andaman Trisara (general area) Resort 8° 1'41.49"N reef & beach breaks [rights Public beach park 11 Layan Beach 98°17'8.37"E & lefts]

(general area) Bang Tao: Ao Le Phang 8° 0'35.01"N beach breaks [rights & 12 [north] 98°17'22.54"E Public access lefts] Ao Bang Tao (general area) [south] 7°59'1.25"N reef/rock point break Access through 13 Pansea Beach 98°16'24.48"E [rights] Amanpuri Hotel (specific area) 7°58'54.18"N Access through 14 Pansea Beach 98°16'35.02"E beach break [rights & lefts] Amanpuri Hotel (general area)

7°58'31.34"N beach break [rights & 15 Surin Beach 98°16'40.70"E Public beach park lefts]; (general area) 7°58'7.76"N beach breaks [rights & 16 Laem Sing 98°16'44.58"E Two public trails lefts]. (general area) 7°57'46.61"N point break [rights] 17 Kamala Beach 98°16'52.09"E Public access

(specific area) 7°57'39.95"N beach breaks [rights & 18 Kamala Beach 98°16'59.03"E Public access lefts] (general area) 272 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

7°55'28.06"N Access through 19 Nakhale Beach 98°16'25.25"E reef/beach breaks Thavorn (general area) Beach Village Kalim 7°54'52.51"N 20 „The Point‟ 98°17'23.20"E reef break [rights] Public access (specific area) 7°54'42.69"N Kalim Reef 21 98°17'28.78"E reef break [rights & lefts] Public access

(specific area) 7°54'12.36"N Patong Beach beach breaks [rights & 22 98°17'45.72"E Public access lefts] (general area) 7°52'29.61"N beach breaks [rights & Access by dirt road / 23 Freedom Beach 98°16'29.01"E lefts] trail (general area) Access through 7°51'51.82"N Karon Noi Beach reef / beach breaks Le Meridien Phuket 24 98°16'55.41"E [Relax Bay] [lefts and rights] Resort (general area)

7°51'2.63"N beach break [rights & 25 Karon Beach 98°17'29.28"E Public access lefts] (specific area) 7°48'52.73"N beach break [rights & 26 Kata Yai Beach 98°17'54.69"E Public access lefts] (specific area) 7°48'32.46"N beach break [rights & 27 Kata Noi Beach 98°17'53.14"E Kata Thani Resort lefts] (specific area) 7°46'38.13"N beach break [rights & 28 Nai Harn Beach 98°18'14.41"E Public beach park lefts] (specific area) 7°46'24.27"N beach break [rights & 29 Nai Harn Beach 98°18'22.23"E lefts]; left wedge and Public beach park (specific area) barrel

3.3.4 Insular Krabi, Trang, and Satun degrees (240 degrees southwest through 270 Exploratory research to insular Krabi degrees west). When compared with Phuket, identifies 4 surfing sites. During periods of the Ko Lanta coastline is less favorable for southwesterly groundswell, waves were found surf as it lacks the necessary „set ups‟ to to be somewhat smaller when compared to produce quality waves and the coastal Phuket (approximately half of the size) at the bathymetry is unfavorable. same point in time. Anecdotal evidence Three islands are of particular interest suggests that a higher degree of west would in the Trang area: Ko Ngai, Ko Muk and Ko result in larger wave heights in the Ko Lanta Kradan. 3 surf sites have been identified in area. Surfing waves in Krabi were found on insular Trang. Ko Ngai and Ko Kradan are the west-facing coastlines of two islands, Ko small islands with coral reefs. Similar with Lanta Noi and Ko Lanta Yai. The western the Ko Lanta area, a narrow swell window coast of Ko Lanta Yai southward to Laem allows ocean swells from approximately 240 Tanot at the southernmost point of the island degrees southwest through 270 degrees west receive windswell or groundswell through a (see Figure 3.4). However, given the slightly narrow swell window of approximately 30 more favorable bathymetry of insular coastal ICENR 2010 “The Changing Environment: Challenges for Society” 10-12 November, 2010 273

areas, anecdotal evidence indicates that remain favorable for surfing (i.e. minimal on- surfing waves are potentially better than those shore winds) due to the sheltering affect from found in Ko Lanta. Sumatera. Ko Rawai has a string of north- Insular Satun encompasses more than facing beaches and anecdotal evidence 50 islands. Surfing waves have been reported supports that surfing waves occur here on to the researcher at Ko rarely occurring northwest swells. In any which has islands with west and northwest given year, tropical storms located near the facing beaches (Blauer, 2009 personal Andaman Islands may produce northwesterly communication). Ao Phante Malaka (Turatau ocean swells resulting in wave activity along Island) has a long, sweeping west-facing west and north-facing beaches in the insular beach and interviews with Thai fishermen . On the southern coast of Ko indicate that waves of two meters occur here Adang, there are west-facing beaches which (ibid.). Blauer (ibid.) notes that windswell are open to southwesterly windswell or generated during the southwest monsoon, groundswell. Of particular interest, Ko Bulon particularly from a westerly direction, may Le has west to northwest facing beaches with produce surfing waves in the Ao Phante potential for both point and reef breaks. Malaka area, while sea conditions may

Table 4: Surfing Areas of Toponym Latitude / Type Governance / Access (and detail) Longitude 7°40'47.95"N 1 Lang Son beach 99° 2'8.61"E beach break Public access (general area) 7°38'24.29"N 2 Klong Dao Beach 99° 1'29.96"E beach break Public access (general area) 7°29'9.69"N Ko Lanta Yai beach break + potential Ko Lanta Marine National 3 99° 4'22.04"E (southern beaches) reef/rock breaks Park [MPA] (general area) 7°28'4.91"N Ko Lanta Marine National 4 Laem Tanot 99° 5'44.56"E reef break Park [MPA] (specific area)

Table 5: Surfing Areas of Toponym Latitude / Type Governance / Access (and detail) Longitude 7°23'58.16"N Hat Chao Mai National 1 Ko Ngai 99°12'1.22"E reef breaks Park (specific area) [MPA] 7°21'33.90"N Hat Chao Mai National 2 Ko Muk 99°17'36.41"E beach break Park (specific area) [MPA] 7°19'25.39"N Hat Chao Mai National beach break + potential 3 Ko Kradan 99°14'46.09"E Park reef/rock break (specific area) [MPA]

274 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

Table 6: Surfing Areas of Satun Province Toponym Latitude / Type Governance / Access (and detail) Longitude 6°50'0.15"N beach break + potential Koh Petra National Park 1 Ko Bulon Le 99°31'51.39"E reef/rock break [MPA] (specific area) 6°41'4.92"N Mu Ko Turatao National 2 Ko Turatao 99°38'18.97"E beach breaks Park [MPA] (general area) 6°34'28.58"N Mu Ko Turatao National 3 Ko Turatao 99°36'37.36"E reef/rock break Park [MPA] (general area) 6°34'51.03"N beach breaks + potential Mu Ko Turatao National 4 Ko Rawai 99°12'44.95"E reef/rock break Park [MPA] (general area)

approximately 61 surfing areas identified thus 4. Discussion far. With these figures in mind, the study takes into account that surfing areas on the Collectively, surf tourism research Andaman are located predominantly in from around the world is stalwartly focused Phuket and Phang Nga, and furthermore, toward the concepts of sustainability, these areas are clustered together. Ranong conservation, and management of surfing Province, with prospectively one single beach areas; it makes up the greater share of the (Ao Yai Beach on Ko Phayam Island) available research literature (Buckley 2002a; conducive to surf tourism, and the scattered Buckley 2002b; Farmer & Short, 2007; (and infrequently „surfable‟) surfing areas Hageman, 2006; Frood, 2007; Hill and located in the insular areas of the southern Abbott, 2009; Hugues et al., 2005; Lazarow, provinces, further attest to the significant 2007; Lazarow et al. 2008; Lazarow and limitation of the resource (i.e. surfing waves Tomlinson, 2009; Lazarow et al, 2007; are less frequent in the southern provinces Lazarow and Castelle, 2007; Mach, 2009; and issues of public access during the Martin and Assenov, 2008; Martin, 2009; monsoon season need to be considered and Murphey and Bernal, 2008; Nelson et al., further exploration is recommended). 2007; Persoon, 2003; Ponting, 2001; Ponting, In Phuket, the best surfing areas (with 2006; Ponting, 2007; Ponting, 2008; Sarfe, the largest and most consistent waves) are 2008; Scarfe et al., 2009a; Scarfe et al, mainly in the southern portion of the island 2009b; Tantamjarik, 2004). The discourse on where coastal topography and bathymetry are coastal surfing resources in Thailand can especially conducive to the formation of benefit from the literature, and the following quality surfing waves. Surin Beach on the discussion explores three perspectives: central coast and Nai Yang Beach, in the . Limitation of the resource in the north of the island . Management of the resource are exceptions. . Conservation of the resource Along the 216-kilometer Phang Nga province, ten out of eighteen surfing areas are 4.1 Limitation of the Resource clustered along the ten-kilometer stretch of coastline in the Khao lak/Laem Pakarang Although the results of this research area. Although Phang Nga is identified as confer that indeed there are surfing resources, having the second highest inventory of surf the study indicates that Thailand‟s physical sites among Andaman provinces, there are surfing resources are somewhat precarious approximately just eight surfing areas spread and limited. Spatially, the research identifies across 200 kilometers of coast. Therein, the that the Andaman Coast is 800+ kilometers ten surf sites are clustered around the Khao- including Phuket and others islands sustaining Lak area, and another four in the Na Tai Pier ICENR 2010 “The Changing Environment: Challenges for Society” 10-12 November, 2010 275

area are highly significant and bring to the Resulting from the increased awareness and fore the consideration of the limited surfing management following the 2004 Indian resources in the province. Ocean tsunami, Thailand‟s MPAs were conceived in each province. As MPAs afford 4.2 Tangential management of surfing areas a significantly astute level of protection to in Thailand specific and sensitive coastal zones, they currently stand to circuitously provide a level This research maintains that surfing of sustainability for coastal surfing resources. areas were not previously documented in the This research is not intended to provide an in- literature (save for Martin 2010) or integrated depth discussion on the implications of into the coastal management schema of Thailand‟s current coastal planning regime; Thailand. This is to say that given the rather the study identifies to what extent identifiably valuable and limited resource at surfing areas are tangentially afforded hand, Thailand‟s surfing resources are protection under existing NP and MPA unprotected per se. However, the research strategy. Table 7 identifies the total number of finds that a great number of surfing areas are surfing areas for each province in correlation located in National Parks (NP) and Marine with NP and MPA (as all of the NPs with Protected Areas (MPA), and are therefore surfing areas are also under MPA status, they afforded some level of conservation. form a single category). Table 7: Thai Surfing Areas within National Park Jurisdiction Total number ofsurfing National Park (NP) /Marine Province areas Protected Area (MPA) Ranong 3 3 Phang Nga 18 3 Phuket 29 6 Krabi 4 2 Trang 3 3 Satun 4 4 Total 61 21

Table 7 identifies that 21 surfing areas rationale for identifying „surfing reserves‟ for are under NP and MPA protection, including the Andaman Coast of Thailand. Ko Phayam, the premier surfing area of Ranong Province. Phang Nga Province has 4.3 Rationale for surfing reserves for only three of areas are under NP or MPA Andaman Coast, Thailand protection (the Khao Lak/Laem Pakarang surfing areas are not under protection). As identified in the results and Phuket has six areas afforded NP or MPA discussed herein, the Andaman littoral has protection (in the Sirinat National Park) approximately 61 surfing areas, and these which encompasses Nai Yang Beach. Of areas are clustered in specific locations. This particular consideration, all of the surfing stands to reason that much of the vast 800+ areas located in insular Krabi, Trang, and kilometers of the continental and insular coast Satun are within NP/MPA jurisdiction. are void of natural resources for surfing. Overall, approximately one-third out of 61 Additionally, given the clear-cut limitations surfing areas are afforded NP/MPA of the resource in contrast with the onset of governance. In light of the tangential surf tourism amidst Thailand‟s large tourism management and protection which NP/MPA climate, the implications signal for the governance affords to coastal surfing rationale of „surfing reserves‟ in Thailand. resources, the research moves to discuss the Following the Australian model of identifying 276 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

prolific surfing areas for protection and plausible that the aforementioned clusters of conservation as iconic „surfing reserves‟ surfing areas be designated as surfing reserves (Farmer and Short, 2007), it is reasonable and (Figure 4 and 5).

Figure 4: Prospective Surfing Reserve, Nai Yang Beach, Phuket Province

Figure 5: Prospective Surfing Reserve, Laem Pakarang, Phang Nga Province

ICENR 2010 “The Changing Environment: Challenges for Society” 10-12 November, 2010 277

Table 8 identifies the rationale and reserve status of each province. For practical prioritization for surfing reserves on reasons, only the Northern provinces are Thailand‟s Andaman littoral. The rationale for represented. Herein, the research identifies surfing reserves has been built through the the Laem Pakarang area on the central Phang literature review, the results of this research, Nga coast and the Nai Yang area of northern and is an implication of this research; it forms coast of Phuket as the two most noteworthy framework wherein surfing resources are areas for surfing reserve status. understood to be valuable coastal resources. Table 8 indicates that save for Nai The consequence of the resource to the Yang Beach in Phuket and Ao Yai Beach in tourism industry is evident and imminent. In Ranong, the remaining foremost surfing areas light of the spatiality and clustering of the identified are currently not recognized in resource, seven areas are identified for terms of conservation in Thailand‟s Integrated conservation status as „iconic‟ surfing Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) schema, reserves. The prioritization provided in Table and therefore the significance and urgency to 8 is relative to each province, whereby the conserve these resources is most apparent. number „1‟ represents the area best-suited for

Table 8: Rationale and Prioritization for Surfing Reserves in Thailand current status priorit province surfing area rationale of protection y Nai Yang -multiple reef breaks and beach breaks Beach and with a variety of wave types NP/MPA 1 outer reefs -favorable seasonality -potentially the best reef break in Kalim reef none 2 Thailand -the definitive focal point of surfing in Phuket Thailand. Kata Beach support a wide Kata Yai variety of waves and conditions for Beach surfing & -Kata Noi receives any and all swell none 3 Kata Noi types and sizes, making it one of the Beach most consistent surfing areas in Thailand -favorable seasonality -potentially the best surfing areas in the province with a variety of surfing areas Pakarang none 1 clustered around the cape -favorable seasonality Phang -unique cluster of surfing areas of Nan Nga Khao Lak area none 2 Thong Beach Khao Pilia -quality surfing waves in proximity to Beach (Na Tai the Na Tai pier and a single offshore none 3 Pier area) reef Ko Phayam -potentially the best beach break located NP/MPA/ Ranong (Ao Yai on an offshore island in Thai waters Biosphere 1 Beach) -favorable seasonality reserve

278 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

Furthermore, the development of it was to foster illumination to a previously surfing reserves invites surfers and surf unexplored aspect of recreation, tourism, and tourists to participate in coastal resource environmentalism in the Kingdom. awareness and conservation. Scarfe et al. (2009) suggests that as the social, economic, 6. Recommendations and Suggestions for and environmental benefits of surfing breaks Further Research are realized, surfers are increasing integral to the overall ICZM course of action. . Coastal exploration of surfing resources should expand and continue, 5. Concluding Thoughts especially provinces north and south of Phuket. The documentation of surfing areas has . Coastal surf resource assessments for the potential to spawn the conservation of the the Gulf of Thailand are recommended. resource, as suggested by Scarfe et al. (2009): . The data generated in this research is For the best environmental result, recommended for integration into an recognition is required of surfing amenities as appropriate Geographic Information specific natural resources in coastal plans and System (GIS) schema in Thailand. environmental legislature to facilitate their . Scientific analysis of water quality at protection and enhancement. For example, a surfing areas when wave activity is coastal plan that identifies surfing break eminent (i.e. periods of surf-related locations, the physical processes that cause turbidity). the quality waves to form, and the threats to . Research targeting the issues of marine wave quality gives greater weighting to any debris in the Andaman Sea relevant to concerns that a coastal engineering project the sustainability of coastal surfing may jeopardize the surfing break (Scarfe et resources and the development of surf al., 2009: 701). tourism is recommended. Documentation of the resource and . Environmental impact studies in the recognizing Thailand‟s surfing areas places marine and coastal areas should the significance of surfing areas into context; consider the value of coastal surfing it identifies their existence in the face of resources. For example, the natural and man-made impacts. Increased construction of artificial reefs along the awareness of the resource may in fact lead to Andaman Coast, such as those at Mai an increase in conservation through ICZM. Kao Beach, and those proposed at Therein, this study opens a pathway to Karon Beach (Nongkaew, 2010) could recognizing and understanding that the affect nearby surfing sites. surfing areas can be taken into consideration . The integration of coastal surfing when decisions are made on the conservation resources into the Marine National Park of natural areas and equally in the expansion protection strategy and the formation of of environmentally damaging commercial national surfing reserves (as detailed activities. The knowledge generated and herein) are recommended. outlined herein provides a holistic approach to . Research targeting the environmental understanding coastal use and management degradation of coastal surfing resources concerns. This study has laid the foundation in the Thai context, especially water for civil society and the government to pollution, coastal tin mining, coral reef conserve natural surfing resources. integrity, and the effects of climate This research has presented the first change. published academic discourse on the value of coastal surfing resources in Thailand; it 7. Acknowledgements advocates that surfing sites in Thailand are inextricably linked to the discussion on I would like to thank everyone who coastal resources in terms of the physical shared and assisted in locating related environment. However, the motivation for materials and offered suggestions and this research was not purely academic; rather critiques to this study, including the Thai and ICENR 2010 “The Changing Environment: Challenges for Society” 10-12 November, 2010 279

foreign resident surfers of Phuket. I gained Hugues-Dit-Ciles, E., Findlay, M., Glegg, G. much from the scholarship and personal and Richards, J. 2005. An investigation support of Martin Fluker, Jess Ponting, Neil into the nature of surfing tourism and Lazarow, Danny O‟Brien, and Ralph its potential environmental impacts on Buckley. Although I have drawn upon the relatively pristine environments: collective knowledge of the authors found Gnaraloo, Western Australia, a case herein, any errors are my own. I would like to study. School of Ocean, Earth and thank the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Environmental Science, Plymouth and the Faculty of International Studies at University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Prince of Songkla University, and the Faculty Devon. of Environment and Resource Studies at Kelly, B. 2008. Coastal recreation values in Mahidol University, Thailand. Brevard County: Saltwater fishing and surfing. Master thesis. Florida 8. References Institute of Technology, USA. Lazarow, N. 2007. The value of coastal Blauer, M. 2008; 2009; 2010. Pakarang Surf recreational resources: a case study Shop and telephone communications. approach to examine the value of (Personal communications). recreational surfing to specific locales. Buckley, R. 2002a. Surf tourism and Journal of Coastal Research SI 50, sustainable development in Indo- 12-20. Proceedings of the 9th Pacific Islands. I. The industry and the International Coastal Symposium, Gold islands. Journal of Sustainable Coast, Australia. Tourism 10(5), 405-424. Lazarow, N. and Castelle, B. 2007. Kirra Buckley, R. 2002b. Surf tourism and Wave Study. Management research sustainable development in Indo- report. Griffith University, Australia. Pacific Islands. II. Recreational Lazarow, N. and Tomlinson, R. 2009. Using capacity management and case study. observed market expenditure to Journal of Sustainable Tourism estimate the economic impact of 10(5), 425-442. recreational surfing to the Gold Coast, Farmer, B.V. and Short, A.D. 2007. Australia. Journal of Coastal Australian national surfing reserves Research SI 56. Proceedings of the rationale and process for recognising 10th International Coastal Symposium. iconic surfing locations. Journal of 1130-1134. Lisbon, Portugal. Coastal Research SI 50, 99-103. Lazarow, N., Miller, M. L. and Blackwel, B. Frood, M. 2007. Turning the tide: An 2007. Dropping in: A case study investigation into the potential costs approach to understanding the socio- and benefits of surf tourism and a economic impacts of recreational discussion of surf tourism as a surfing and its value to the coastal possible contributing form of economy. Shore and Beach 75(4), 21- sustainable development for 31. Indonesia. Master thesis. Murdoch Lazarow, N., Miller, M. L. and Blackwel, B. University, Perth. 2008. The value of recreational surfing Hageman, B.O. 2006. Surf tourism in to society. Tourism in Marine Lombok: A pro-poor investigation. Environments 5(2-3), 145-158. Master Thesis (MSc programme Mach, L. 2009. Finding another Wave: The Leisure, Tourism & Environment). need for ecotourism principles in Wageningen University, Department of international surf culture. American Environmental Sciences. University, Washington D.C. Hill, L. and Abbott, A. 2009. Surfacing Martin, S.A. 2009. Rethinking the monsoon: tension: Toward a political ecological Sustainable surf tourism in Thailand. critique of surfing representations. Proceedings of the International Geography Compass 3(1), 275-296. Tourism Conference on Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management: 280 Steven A.M. /Article: 262-280

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