This document discusses the impacts of tourism in Thailand and debates whether Thailand should ban tourism. It provides 20 points listing both positive and negative social, economic, and environmental impacts of tourism. These include negative impacts such as the mistreatment of elephants used for tourism, loss of traditional culture, and increases in sex tourism and disease. However, it also notes positive impacts such as jobs and income from tourism. The document asks readers to reflect on whether tourism in Thailand is sustainable and if the country should ban it altogether.

3. Photo by Flickr user: alexanderdrachmann Made available through Creative Commons What geographical questions do you have? What? Who? Where? When? What?

4. What has happened over time? Are these changes natural or human? How do you know? Are these changes good or bad? Why? Who is responsible for these changes?

6. Impacts of Tourism in Thailand 1. I rode an elephant but now feel guilty as the mahouts (trainers) chain, beat and cut them with hooks to break their spirit 2. Many villagers make fake items to sell to tourists. 3. Some villagers make money out of selling traditional cultural items 4. Villagers often ask for money to get into the village, take photographs. Many of the villages are not traditional anymore. 5. Traditionally village women wear rings around their necks from the age of four. Tourists love taking photos but now many local women think that the tradition is out of date. Tourists love taking photos of the women. 6. Lots of jobs are available in bars, restaurants, hotels and as trekking guides and porters 7. Some jobs are done by workers from the UK 8. There is some great nightlife in Thailand. Lots of bars packed with tourists 9. There are many development projects planned for Thailand. Many of them will be in beach reports in the south. 10. Money paid to package holiday companies stays in the UK 11. Snorkelling and beach activities are changing the ecosystems around Thailand’s coast. 12. Tourism accounts for around 6% of Thailand’s GDP 13. Many Multinational chains, like Coca-Cola, are available in Thailand 14. Tourists can be intrusive: taking photographs and making lot of noise. 15. Modern hotels use lots of energy and water 16. The UK holiday industry is receiving fewer customers as foreign holidays get cheaper. 17. Heathrow airport is at 98% of its capacity. The airport must be expanded as a result. 18. There has been an increase in medical tourism to Thailand 19. Thailand has seen an increase in sex tourists leading to an increase in HIV and Aids 20. Thailand is a long haul destination. Most tourists fly to Thailand

7. Social Economic Environmental Social: People and families Economic: Jobs and money Environmental: the natural and built surroundings

9. Is tourism in Thailand sustainable?

10. Photo by Flickr user: iefetell Made available through Creative Commons

11. Photo by Flickr user: sama sama – massa Made available through Creative Commons

12. Photo by Flickr user: iefetell Made available through Creative Commons

13. Image courtesy of Simon Scoones via Geography Teaching Today website

14. Image courtesy of Simon Scoones via Geography Teaching Today website

15. Photo by Flickr user: lulugaia Made available through Creative Commons

16. Photo by Flickr user: lulugaia Made available through Creative Commons

17. Photo by Flickr user: lulugaia Made available through Creative Commons

18. Photo by Flickr user: Zalzadore Made available through Creative Commons

19. Photo by Flickr user: three wolves Made available through Creative Commons

20. Photo by Flickr user: three wolves Made available through Creative Commons

21. Photo by Flickr user: three wolves Made available through Creative Commons

22. Photo by Flickr user: three wolves Made available through Creative Commons

23. Photo by Flickr user: three wolves Made available through Creative Commons

24. Photo by Flickr user: three wolves Made available through Creative Commons