Eco Tourism n Thailand

Thailand is fortunate in its prime location for tourism in terms of such natural attractions as beaches and mountains, cultural and historical sites which reflect the glories of Thai civilization, and a sophisticated infrastructure, allowing visitors easy access to all these treasures.

The government's policy on tourism for the past years has been gearing towards more and more sustainable tourism development with emphasis on community participation, safety of tourists and non-exploitation. The term “eco-tourism” has been widely used to describe a form of tourism in natural areas that is based on the knowledge about and responsibility towards the ecological system of the area.

At present, the number of real eco-tourism visitors is still minimal. Mostly, those tourists are included in other types of tourism such as nature-based tourism, agro-tourism, cultural and historical tourism and health tourism. Most of such tourism areas are in natural parks and specific historical-cultural areas.

The national parks system in Thailand was previously cited its growing importance to the eco-tourism industry. With most parks easily accessible by road, there exists excellent potential to expand the number of visitors who use them.

In the case of the Maekong River, the nature-based tourism potential particularly applies to Northeast Thailand, an area that the TAT has identified as a priority for tourism development. The national parks in close proximity to the Mekong River include sites of prehistoric, archaeological and natural significance. As the Mekong region increases in its exposure and popularity, these parks will experience an increased number of visitors in search of quality eco-tours.

One marine eco-tourism, the last 30 years saw the country establishing 18 marine national parks as well as more than 70 terrestrial ones. Many of the activities available on and around Thailand's crystal seas are environmentally sound. Sea canoeing, windsurfing biking, walking, swimming, snorkeling and sailing are, when practiced as they should be, perfectly respectful of nature. Diving, the most popular water sport in Thailand, can be just as green.

Thailand has a great opportunity to promote eco-tourism, especially when compared to other countries in the Asia region. The kingdom enjoys such benefits as easy access, sophisticated infrastructure and myriad tourist attractions and activities.

Floating Market

One of the most famous pictures of Thailand, and one of the most visited tourist sites on the outskirts of Bangkok, is the famous Floating Market. The original and most promoted Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak, is located 110 kilometres from Bangkok in Rachaburi province.

Getting to the Floating Market takes between one and a half to over two hours from Bangkok depending on traffic conditions. We recommend, if your time in Bangkok allows you, to do this tour at the weekend to avoid spending an unnecessary amount of time in traffic.

The original canals which now make up the Floating Market were built in 1866 on demand of His Majesty the King of Thailand to help ease communication in the province. The actual Floating Market started in 1967 and today thrives with hordes of tourists from all over the world.

Canals in and around Bangkok are an important method of transport and help to facilitate communication between different areas of the city. To this day many people still live along the canals and frequently use boats as a method of transportation from one point to another.



As food is a very important part of Thai culture, you will see mobile food stores selling anything from fruit, Som Tam, barbequed chicken, and other delicacies moving around Bangkok, on the streets just as an ice cream van does in most western countries. This also applies to the canals where you will frequently see boats moving from house to house selling different wares.

Thailand does have Tesco's, Carrefour, Leading Price and other major supermarkets all around the country and most communities will have there own 'wet market' selling fresh produce, so if you hope to see many Thais buying their daily needs at the Floating Market you may be disappointed.

Most people visiting the Floating Market are foreigners and Thai tourists, but it does offer visitors an excellent opportunity to see something different and take some great pictures of what is a true Thai icon.

We recommend travellers to organise a tour to enjoy the Floating Market. Most tours will pick you up from any of the hotels in Bangkok. The tour normally starts around 06:30 (slightly later at weekends due to the lack of traffic).

You do need to verify that the tour is in fact of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and not another, as there are hundreds around, and you should also clarify what the tour price actually includes, and how many people will be in your tour.

If you use a reliable and well known company then they will be able to accommodate your every need, and create a tour which best meets your expectations.

Most tours to the Floating Market will include some side trips, such as a visit to the Sugar House where you will see how Thai's make sugar from coconuts, a visit to the Teakwood Handicraft Center, where you can marvel at how Teakwood is carved into artistic masterpieces and also a visit to the Rose Garden where lunch is normally served followed by a truly excellent cultural show.

If you have time and still enough energy then the Crocodile Farm is also not far from the Rose Garden and saves you having to travel all the way back again.

Perhaps the only question that remains is - is it worth spending half a day minimum on a tour to and around the Floating Market? What we would answer to that, is if you have sufficient time, and have looked at the pictures and feel it would be of interest then definitely, we don't recommend though, that you take a tour to the Floating Market instead of visiting some of Bangkok's other great attractions, such as the Grand Palace etc. For us some of the other major attractions in and around Bangkok would take priority.

Hill-tribe villages

A great time to visit the villages is during one of their festivals when you can see the villagers in their finery. Over 100 years ago, the Hill-tribe people migrated south from China into current-day Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. The six major tribes are the Karen (Kariang, Yang), Hmong (Meo), Yao (Mien), Akha (Ekaw), Lisu (Lisaw), and Lahu (Mussur). Each tribe is distinct, with their own culture, religion, language, art, and dress; however, given the rate of modernization, it is unknown how long these tribes will continue their traditions. The guided tours offer varying routes and options, including accommodations within consenting hill tribe villages.

Review by sophia from the Guide Great places to see in Thailand