Community Rights in Ecotourism Management: A Case Study of Bang Bai Mai Community, Bang Bai Mai Sub-District, Mueang District, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

This research aims to study the approach of community rights in the management of ecotourism as well as finding legal measures to support the community’s right to manage and utilize balanced and sustainably tourism by studying the case of Bang Bai Mai Community, Muang District, Surat Thani Province.

The study found that the management of tourist attractions in Bang Bai Mai Community was under the authority of Bang Bai Mai Sub-District Administrative Organization in terms of management and utilization by encouraging people or communities to participate in their management. The community participation was a social action showing the potential of a community. An ecotourism group was established in Bang Bai Mai Sub-district by cooperation of the people in the community. The ability to create and expand networks outside the community in managing tourist attractions but also consider the limitations in the management of tourist attractions by the community because the community had no legal status and legal enactment (secondary) that recognizes or protects the community rights.

The author suggests that the use of community rights is to make an agreement between the community and relevant agencies by establishing local ordinances on the management of tourist attractions and amending relevant laws so that the community exercises their right to manage attractions appropriately. These agencies have to design a mechanism to support the management of eco-tourism in the form of joint management because the community right is a solution for society. If the government recognizes the importance and empowers the community rights, the community is able to manage fair and sustainable ecotourism.