The Beach of "The Beach" - The Politics of Environmental Demage in Thailand

• Autores: Erik Cohen
• Localización: Tourism recreation research, ISSN 0250-8281, Vol. 30, Nº. 1, 2005, págs. 1-17
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Tourism-related environmental politics in Thailand are examined in a case study of the controversy surrounding the shooting of the film version of he Beach,' a hook on a backpacker commune on an undiscovered 'island paradise' by Alex Garland (1996). The article focuses on the paradox of the film-maker's insistconco to transform Maya beach, a spectacular pristine beach located in a national park on Phi Phi Lae island in Southern Thailand, to suit the stereotype of a 'tropical island beach' on Garland's imaginary island. The various stages of the protracled struggle between the opponents of the project, and the producers of the film and the authorities who permitted the changes to Maya beach are described The composition of the contending camps, their motives and interests are examined, as well as the discourses and counter-discourses by which they presontrd their case. The changing strategies of the opponents of the project, from protest, to appeals and finally lengthy litigation, leading from initial failures to eventual partial success, are detailed. The permanent damage to the teach, despite efforts to reostitute it after the filming, are assessed. The authorities policies after the event to 'regulate' tourism to the teach are noted. In conclusion, the manifold absurdities, of possibly wider significanet', invok L''d in the transformation of a 'real' pristine beach to suit an imaginary 'ideal' one are expounded.