A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Urban Environmental Management

Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2017

Tourism is one of the world's largest and fastest growing sectors. It is considered as contributor to environmental changes and vulnerable to climate change. Koh Chang, one of popular tourism destinations in eastern Thailand, is facing higher urbanization resulted from tourism development and vulnerable to climate change and environment impacts as its physical characteristic located on the Gulf of Thailand. Therefore, this study aims to analyze relationships of tourism, environment and climate change in the context of coastal urbanization and recommend enhancing tourism governance of the coastal tourism areas compatible with coastal environment and changing climate. A governance framework was developed with relevant indicators for measuring relationsh ips among tourism urbanization, environment and climate change, and coastal areas development and management. Stakeholder group discussion, questionnaire survey, interview, observation and literature review were used for primary data collection, together with col lecting available secondary data. Thirty questionnaires were surveyed with resort accommodations in selected tourist beaches, and then analyzed statistically together with interv iew results as well as the secondary data. Stakeholder analysis was also used in analyzing decisionmaking process and developing recommendations for enhancing the coastal tourism governance. The results show that the tourism development of coastal area in Koh Chang is paved into imbalance with coastal environment and climate induced risks. The severe and critical environmental problem of coastal tourism is no central wastewater treatment, while the vulnerability of the coastal city is no water supply and sewage systems. To enhance tourism governance in the context of coastal urbanization, local governments should increase their strong political leadership and required capacity. In addition, a stronger collaboration between governments and other stakeholders (including public private partnership) is encouraged. Balanced benefits and minimizing unwanted risks based on the coastal tourism stakeholders following collaborative governance will enable optimum use of resources in coastal area development and management toward sustainable tourism of the important tourism destination and the region.