Legal Measures for Ecotourism Management by Leeled Sub -District Administrative Organization, Phunphin District, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

The research aims to study concepts and legal measures and introduce legal measures for ecotourism management by Leeled Sub-District Administrative Organization, Phunphin District, Surat Thani Province. The research adopted qualitative research approach using the documents and interviews as a research tool.

The study found that a local government organization had a duty to promote its tourism according to the Determining Plans and Process of Decentralization to Local Government Organization Act, B.E. 2542 (1999) and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017). According to the act and constitution, the local government organizations have the authorities and powers to manage their ecotourism. However, the local governments organizations encountered perennial problems of management including problem of using numerous laws leading to ambiguity of authorities and powers for managing the ecotourism, problem of managing ecotourism, problem of insufficient budget for ecotourism management and problem of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The author offers the following suggestions. 1) A specific law should be introduced to empower a local administrative organization and all relevant agencies should be collaborated in the management of ecotourism to define clear duties and responsibilities. 2) A local administrative organization should cooperate with relevant organizations in the ecotourism management and enforce the law against offenders. 3) Relevant government agencies should provide the ongoing fund to promote sustainable ecotourism. 4) All local agencies in the area should find new measures to manage tourist attractions during the Covid-19 situation and create awareness through the participation of local communities.