Abstract
Backpacker tourism in Southeast Asia is booming. With a key motivation of experiencing
`authentic and unspoiled environment`, backpacker tourists continually search
and travel further into less touristically developed destinations and inevitably
pose the impact on those areas. The research studies the transformation of physical
environment and the impact on the host communities due to the backpacker tourism.
From the study, the recommendations to protect the physical environment and
avoid the local character lost are proposed. The study is based on the case
of Khaosan Road (Thailand), the main backpacker enclave in Southeast Asia. Mapping
analysis, participant observations, interviews and documentation are chosen
as the methods of investigation. The study indicated that the changing character
of backpacker tourism greatly influence the transformation of physical environment
in Khaosan Road, which is divided into 3 overlapping stages: (1) Authentic Khaosan
Road; (2) Semi-tourist theme park and (3) Tourist theme park. Two principal
factors are (1) the rapid growth number of backpacker tourists and (2) the high
and spontaneous increasing number of small-scale locally owned enterprises.
The impacts of backpacker tourism are found in (1) the degradation of physical
environment and (2) the degradation of local character. Two levels of recommendations
for future development are proposed. They are: (1) the formulation of local
agreements which consisting of physical planning agreement, environmental agreement,
economic agreement and (2) the introduction of legal and incentive control over
small-scale locally owned tourist enterprises. Both recommendations should be
simultaneously imposed in order to protect the environment of the remaining
authentic and unspoiled destinations in Thailand and Southeast Asian countries.
Key Words: Physical environment, Local character,
Backpacker tourism
Above: The some similarities among Southeast Asians` backpacker centers.
Background
2003
Paper title “ an Investigation of
Backpacker Tourism and Urban Transformation: A Case of Khaosan Road, Thailand”,
presented in the 7th International Congress of Asian Planning Schools Association
(APSA), Hanoi, Vietnam, September 12-14, 2003.
Paper title “Ecotourism: A New Alternative for Thai Tourism?”,
presented in the Meeting of the Asian Area Studies of City Planning, Fall 2003.
2002
Assistant, an international workshop held by Ateliers d`Ete de Cergy-Pontoise,
title “Densities, Urban Design and Quality of Life, Tokyo”.
2001
First Prize, an international workshop held by Ateliers d`Ete de Cergy-Pontoise,
title “Sustainable Development of the Doi Tung Mountains, Thailand”
(team of five).
1998-2000
Research assistant in Research Division at the Faculty of Architecture,
ChulalongkornUniversity, Thailand.
Research projects:
- A Preparatory survey for the Construction of the New Parliament
The objective of this study is to analyze and compare the suitability of alternative
sites for the construction of the new national parliament in order to select
the best site for master plan development and develop terms of reference.
- A Study and Public Hearing: Tram System of Inner Rattanakosin
Area, Bangkok
This study aim to propose a type, amount and route of tram system, including
site and principles of its station and depot of Inner Rattanakosin Area. The
main criteria used in this study are the physical and aesthetic elements in
the historic city, along with current transportation system, feasibility studies
and environmental impact.
- An international competition titled Bangkok New International
Business District. (the third prize)
This design competition, the team has to propose a concept for physical development
of Rama III area to become an International Business District. The proposed
plan puts more emphasis on economic and project feasibility, as well as implementation
and legistation procedures.
- A Specific Development Planning of National Conservation District:
Praeng Nara-Poothorn-Sapprasath, Bangkok
The objective of this study is to survey and analyze existing landuse patterns
and architecture of national historic Area in Bangkok: Praeng Nara-Poothorn-Sapprasath
for new physical development planning and design guidelines.
1996
Honorable Prize, an international competition held by the Association
of Siamese Architect Under Royal Patronage (ASA), title “Tomorrow
where shall we live” juror: Toyo Ito (team of five).
1993-1998
B.Arch. (Hons.), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
email:
niramon@ud.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
web address:
http://ud.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/members/niramon.html
Urban Design Laboratory
Department of Urban Engineering
the University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyu-ku,Tokyo
JAPAN 113-8656
Tel: 03-5841-6224
Fax: 03-5841-6265