Natwipha Ewasakul. Recreational valution and carrying capacity : a case study of Bangsaen beach, Chonburi province . Master's Degree(Technology of Environmental Management). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2006.
Recreational valution and carrying capacity : a case study of Bangsaen beach, Chonburi province
Abstract:
This study aims to evaluate recreational use and physical carrying capacity, and to
study tourists’ behavior and various tourism factors associated with the use value of
Bangsaen beach, Chonburi province. The primary data from the field survey and the
secondary data that compiled from various other sources were used in this study. The
study sample comprised of 400 Thai tourists randomly selected around the Bangsaen
beach. Theoretical framework used in this study was of environmental economics, while
the key analytical method were Zonal Travel Cost Method (ZTCM), Individual Travel
Cost Method (ITCM) and the evaluation of Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC) using
Crowding Perception.
The results revealed that the recreational use values of Bangsaen beach derived
from ZTCM and ITCM were 2,604,804,320.83 baht/year and 3,710,903,067.44 baht/year
respectively. The factors which affected the number of visits to Bangsaen beach were the
travel cost and age of tourists. The travel cost had a negative effect on the number of
visits. Age of tourists had a positive effect on the number of visits. All variables were
evaluated at significant level 0.05.
The maximum PCC in the period of weekdays was 10,947 persons/day while the
optimum PCC was 9,840 persons/day. During weekends, the maximum PCC was 14,176
persons/day and the optimum PCC was 13,468 persons/day. The average number of tourists
visiting to Bangsaen beach on weekdays was 3,000 persons/day and 9,100 persons/day on
weekends. It was found that number of tourists on weekdays and weekends still did not
exceed the PCC.
Based on the tourism situation of Bangsaen beach today, it is not yet necessary to
use a price mechanism to control the rise in the number of tourists because the beach can
still accommodate tourists at a level not exceeding the PCC.