SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPLY IN THE NATIONAL PARK: A CASE FROM PHA TAEM NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND
This paper aims to present the sustainable development of the environment in the Pha Taem national park in Thailand. It is in the context of the environmental supply for Eco-tourism and nature-based tourism. The study is in the area of the Pha Team National Park (PTNP) in Thailand, which consists of natural and historical features. PTNP has a distinctive geomorphological appearance. The uniqueness of the national park makes it more valuable as a site for not only establishing a national park but a geo-park as well. The PTNP is located on the edge east of Thailand’s territory. The boundary of the PTNP is along with Thailand and the Lao PDR border across the Mekong River. This study employed a semi-structured interview with the national park staff and superintendent. Fifteen questions ranging from the perspective of sustainable tourism development goals to environmental supply were posed to the respondents. The findings demonstrated that to successfully manage the national park and achieve its sustainable tourism development goals the national park should be careful with its management plan and deal cautiously with stakeholders. The national park tourism management plan should include the stakeholder in the planning process to avoid potential conflicts. Moreover, it is necessary for effective tourism management that the park staff enhance their expertise and skills with regard to the tourism operations and tour management aspects of the park.