Kriengsak ChareonwongsakThai tourism resources

Thai tourism resources need to be developed appropriately

    Income from the tourism sector can be characterised as high value-added since it virtually needs no import content. It uses natural resources, cultures, national congeniality, all of which already exist here. Compared to other countries, Thailand has the advantage of having a large number of natural tourism resources. However, these resources genuinely need good management, since they may become depleted unless proper planning and maintenance are practiced. Problems such as the pollution that deteriorates natural resorts, and security for tourists are continually growing for Thai tourism. These problems can be costly to the tourism industry and cause it to lose its competitiveness against other countries. Tourism has been widely promoted by many other developing countries as a means of expanding national income, for example, in China, Vietnam and Malaysia. The problems in Thailand need to be dealt with urgently. If the tourism industry is revitalized, cleanliness enhanced and tourist safety measures improved, the reward will be an increased national income generator. 

Travelling the high road

Professor Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Executive Director, Institute of Future Studies for Development (IFD)
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, http://www.ifd.or.th