chiang mai province

Rigging the changes by example
Public figures, like the defunct ecological hero and park activist Seub Nakasathien,
are now very much referred and regularly quoted in speeches by Thai politicians and
officials. And those words are backed up by generational changes in behaviour: a
green fashion, though very commercial minded, is interestingly taking root among the
country youths who, in the thronged huddle of consumer goods displayed in Bangkok,
proudly buy T-shirts proclaiming the need to “live green” and “save the planet”.
Nevertheless, this “green” call to arms demands more than words and fashion
to be sustainable, especially for business owners or CEOs whose investment
strategies need certainty for the future, and clearer political visibility.
That is why I am a firm believer in “green standards” adapted to the
Thai reality, and to the society’s appropriate level of acceptance and resilience.
Our tour of the country’s 50 great greenescapes, initiated by the Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT) wants precisely to play such a pioneer role. The promotion of
Green Tourism shall be an “inclusive” process, where everybody is invited to come
aboard if promising to respect and uphold previously agreed upon standards,
whose implementation shall definitely be verified and followed up closely.
Following the UNEP initiative on sustainable tourism, a lot of windows
are opening up. Courageously, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has
grabbed some of those opportunities, setting up the “Green Leaf Foundation"
to check on hotels and accommodation. But let us be optimistic: why not, tomorrow,
form an advisory body on sustainable tourism made of Thai academics,
environmental activists, non governmental organizations delegates and
business operators This panel would issue periodic recommendations or
warnings, upon learning of natural destruction damages in some part of the
country. Because Green Tourism, after all, is judged by the visitors themselves.
So be our guests. And be our judges. Be part, with us all, of this badly needed
“Thailand Tourism Green Turn”. •
Bungkaennakhon, Khon Kaen
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