Andaman partners sign MoU to assess tourism impacts on ethnic communities

Five organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding at Prince of Songkla University’s Phuket Campus to assess the health and social effects of ethnic-based tourism in coastal communities along the Andaman Sea.

The agreement, signed earlier this week, aims to develop tourism guidelines that protect community health, respect traditional ways of life and ensure local residents benefit fairly from tourism income.

The initiative brings together academic institutions, health policy agencies, civil society organisations and community-based tourism networks to conduct Health Impact Assessments of tourism activities in ethnic communities along the Andaman coast.

Asst Prof Dr Prawich Khunnikom of the Sirindhorn College of Public Health and Dr Suwapak Benjathanawat of PSU’s Institute of Public Policy outlined the project’s background and proposed operating framework. The partnership will combine research, academic knowledge and public policy tools to assess tourism’s effects on community health and livelihoods.

It will also seek to strengthen local participation in tourism planning and support sustainable community and economic development.

The signing ceremony was presided over by Asst Prof Dr Payong Thepaksorn, director of the Sirindhorn College of Public Health in Trang. Other representatives attending included Suttipong Vasusophapol, deputy secretary-general of the National Health Commission; Dr Somporn Tansakul, president of the Community-Based Tourism Association; and Nawee Wongsaschon and Kanpong Pramongkit of the Andaman Sea Peoples’ Tourism Network.

Representatives from the National Health Commission Office, PSU’s Institute of Public Policy, the Sirindhorn College of Public Health and other organisations also attended.