Excessive tourism could jeopardize Koh Larn's future

[snoop1130]

 

A member of Pattaya City Council, Phasakorn Yusoomboon, has expressed concern over the increasing number of tourists and unchecked development on Koh Larn Island. Phasakorn, who represents Pattaya District 1, brought up the issue at the recent council meeting, pointing out that the island daily receives over 10,000 tourists. This number can even reach up to 20,000 during peak seasons.

 

This tourism surge has led to a rapid increase in construction projects, which includes resorts, hotels, and pool villas – raising serious environmental concerns among the locals. Phasakorn noted the severe impact this is having on the island, such as water shortages, power outages, waste accumulation, and an overstrained sewage system.

 

He stressed that urgent action is required to protect the island's future, and called on Pattaya City to begin managing tourist numbers and institute strict regulations on new construction activities.

 

In response, Pattaya's Deputy Mayor, Manoch Nongyai, acknowledged the looming problems. He noted that the island, with over 4,000 rooms across different accommodations, attracts varied tourists, including Chinese and Indian tourists for day trips, and Europeans and Thais for longer stays. He reassured that the city keeps a close watch on construction activities and takes action against illegal buildings. He also indicated that the city is considering the introduction of a tourist entry fee to better manage the influx of visitors to the island.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-05-30

 

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[DonniePeverley]

But with new visa measures they want to attract 80 million visitors by 2027. That is triple the visitors they had last year. 

 

None of it makes sense. You can't just have crazy mass tourism like this, especially from countries that have lower gdp per person than Thailand. The new measures have given the likes of Indian to stay here for a fair while!

[OneMoreFarang]

"Excessive tourism could jeopardize ..."

 

Really? Could it?

Or was there already excessive tourism for more than 2 decades?

I used to go there almost 30 years ago. At that time, we visited a beach on the other side of the island with basically no people at all.

Other beaches on the island were at that time already totally crowded.

 

And now someone thinks about excessive tourism might do something bad in the future. Really? 

[bob smith]

here we go ... 

 

bob.

[billd766]

Before you allow ant extra visitors, start spending YOUR accumulated profits from past years on updating water, sewage, garbage etc infrastructure. Do NOT keep begging central government for more money, They have to run the whole of Thailand and NOT just some tiny money grabbing island out to make money for itself.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This tourism surge has led to a rapid increase in construction projects, which includes resorts, hotels, and pool villas – raising serious environmental concerns among the locals. Phasakorn noted the severe impact this is having on the island, such as water shortages, power outages, waste accumulation, and an overstrained sewage system.

Tourism profit over sustainability... Thailand has a history of choosing the former option.

[jacko45k]

Let ir go, beyond recovery.

Now I hear Koh Samet is quite nice. 

[ChrisY1]

 A member of Pattaya City Council, Phasakorn Yusoomboon

So...he has known about the rampant illegal developement....but has done nothing

[Srikcir]

For challenges as a middle-income economy Thailand needed to transform its economy from agriculture to export-oriented manufacturing. Not increase low income value, how cost tourism.

But the export price index for high value Thai manufactured goods increased by only 6% in total during the last 8 years.

Thais need to face the fact that the Prayut-Thavisin-TBD governments are incapable of getting Thais out of the middle income class trap and have only worsened it.

Middle-income trapped countries need to embrace a strategy focused on capability to advance innovation, move up the value chain, and create decent jobs. Tourism will not advance the country out of the middle income class trap.

[nobodysfriend]

At a time when other countries seek to limit overtourism by imposing taxes and fees , Thailand wants more ( of the tourists money ) .

May be time to realize that unregulated overtourism destroys the once beautiful " paradise " ...?

That means , that , by wanting more and more , it is likely they will have less and less in the future ...

And the damage done will be difficult to repair .

[Wrwest]

Appears to me that there was just reasoning that Buddha taught the "middle way". Here we see the result of seeking too much in the way of Thailand tourism self aggrandizement. the key for Thailand's natural attributes in the tourism, retirement and medical care realms is sustainability. The potential is there if supporting policies are put in place ... right ...

[Guderian]

There you go, I've fixed the title for you!

 

Excessive tourism could jeopardize Thailand's future

[VBF]

21 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

"Excessive tourism could jeopardize ..."

 

Really? Could it?

Or was there already excessive tourism for more than 2 decades?

I used to go there almost 30 years ago. At that time, we visited a beach on the other side of the island with basically no people at all.

Other beaches on the island were at that time already totally crowded.

 

And now someone thinks about excessive tourism might do something bad in the future. Really? 

I was about to post exactly the same thing.

Koh Larn was lovely and quiet and clean back then. Now..... YUK!

Reminds me of a mini version of Phuket ☹

[jacko45k]

15 hours ago, VBF said:

I was about to post exactly the same thing.

Koh Larn was lovely and quiet and clean back then. Now..... YUK!

Reminds me of a mini version of Phuket ☹

Phuket too...... fond memories of going there a long time ago... it was actually reasonably priced too. Had a wonderful lobster meal for under $20.

[VBF]

9 hours ago, jacko45k said:

On 5/31/2024 at 9:57 AM, VBF said:

I was about to post exactly the same thing.

Koh Larn was lovely and quiet and clean back then. Now..... YUK!

Reminds me of a mini version of Phuket ☹

Phuket too...... fond memories of going there a long time ago... it was actually reasonably priced too. Had a wonderful lobster meal for under $20.

You must be as old as me 😂

I remember Phuket as an unspoilt (almost) tropical island with lots of jungle, (great for the Hash House Harriers) superb almost deserted beaches and, apart from Phuket Town, very little concrete.

 

To quote Joni Mitchell: "They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot"

 

As small as Koh Larn is, it's heading that way.

[Grusa]

On 5/31/2024 at 6:46 AM, jacko45k said:

Let ir go, beyond recovery.

Now I hear Koh Samet is quite nice. 

No it isn't, it's just the same, but marginally more effort to get to!

[Roo Island]

Ummm...this article was relevant 20 years ago. Paradise ruined

[Deserted]

It's been going that way for some time. I went there last year and saw lots of rubbish floating in the sea.

[jacko45k]

12 hours ago, Grusa said:

No it isn't, it's just the same, but marginally more effort to get to!

Been some years since I got there.... my first trip I was expected to jump into the sea and wade ashore from a boat... they were there asking for the National Park Entry money before my feet got wet! I got bitten to death by mosquitoes and was kept awake by bullfrogs.....Koh Chang I took to better, but that was quite an effort to get to. 

[cardinalblue]

Lack of sustainable development and tourism management are why thailand while in the top third globally will never sniff top 10 tourist countries 

 

way too much greed and lack of vision keep  thailand on the stationary bike - don’t know how to move forward 

[HalAndLois]

Ban tourism and secure Koh Larn's future as pristine jungle island because all of the people dependent on it will have starved to death.  

[Pattaya420]

And when there is no tourists they cry cant do business...

[watchcat]

On 5/31/2024 at 1:49 AM, nobodysfriend said:

by wanting more and more , it is likely they will have less and less in the future

 

That's right but thais can't think ahead. They wan't the tourist money NOW not in the future.

[Chris Daley]

I got an 11,000 baht visa fine.  I always try to jeopardize tourism a little bit.  Some trash there take a few toilet roles there.