TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS COPING AND ADAPTATION PATTERNS FOR ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT FROM CLIMATE CHANGED IN GULF OF THAILAND COASTAL AREAS : CASE STUDY OF SAMUT SONGKRAM AND SAMUT SAKHON PROVINCES

Abstract

The research entitled “Tourism stakeholders Coping and Adaptation Patterns for Ecotourism Management from Climate Changed in Gulf of Thailand Coastal Areas : Case Study of Samut Songkram and Samut Sakhon Provinces” is a descriptive study that includes both qualitative and quantitative data. The objective was to study the patterns of coping and adapting of tourism stakeholders from climate change in the coastal areas of the Gulf of Thailand in the provinces of Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon. As a result, the research methodology emphasized both documentary research and interview as well as focus group of 20 respondents through the use of a structured questionnaire. The statistical used in the research included frequency, mean (x), and standard deviation (S.D.), as well as the analysis of the interquartile range (I.R.) from the Delphi questionnaire. The research findings of the direct impacts arising from a climate change found that monsoons and storms caused the coastal erosion and affected to the tourism cost and infrastructures with a highest level of 4.75 (SD .444), while the indirect impacts reported a climate change will cause a change of the seasons pattern affecting the traditional occupation or the pattern of living of the area which is a key factor in attracting cultural and eco-tourism at a highest level of 4.70 (S.D. .732). According to the data analysis by using a Delphi technique to corroborate opinions from 20 respondents (experts) found that most of them consistently agreed in nine approaches of Coping Plan at the highest level (MD = 4.50-5.00, IR = ≤1.00) and 1 Coping Plan at a high level (MD = 3.50-4.49, IR = ≤1.00). While the Adaptation Plan, the respondents consistently agreed in all twenty of Adaptation Plan at the highest level (MD = 4.50-5.00, IR = ≤1.00).