The “Association for The Conservation of Wild Life, Thailand” with Adventure Travel in Conservation Trend, 1950s-1960s

Abstract

This article studies wildlife adventure tourism at the beginning of the natural conservation trends in the 1950s-1960s in Thai society, through the role of the “Association for The Conservation of Wildlife, which was one of the first conservation organizations in Thailand. Study findings show the wildlife adventure culture in Thai society possibly emerged due to the modernization in the late-19th century, which brought changes in several respects in Thai society, such as the emergence and expansion of people who had resources and leisure for touring. The rise of the naturalist idea which considered nature as beauty and healthiness of body and mind. This stimulated the occurrence of wildlife adventurers who intended to travel into the jungle and hunt for relaxation and recreation. This culture was in popularity in the 1950s, during which the awareness of the ruin of nature at the same time arose. One of the key adventurers in that period-Dr. Boonsong Lekagul then established “The Association for The Conservation of Wildlife, Thailand” to raise awareness and to run activities to support natural conservation, forest, and wildlife in particular. As a result, wildlife adventure had been adapted, from the style of entering the jungle for hunting into a more natural conservation tourism one.