Community Lifestyle Changes from Boating Activity in Relation with Sightseeing of Fireflies

Abstract

Amphawa district is located in Samutsongkram Province, the smallest city in Thailand. Partly of it near The Gulf of Thailand and more 356 cannel flow through, consist of 3 water system; fresh, marine and brackish water. It’s one of the most beautiful area for sightseeing fireflies, but boating activity effect on environmental quality change, ecosystem and community lifestyle changes. The first objective of this study was to study pattern of boating activity for sightseeing fireflies and the second was to study community lifestyle changes. The Via participant and non-participation observation technique and In depth interview was used for collecting data. Key informants were the local people who their house located along Amphawa cannel and owner of tourism business or boatman. The result, boat type changed from paddle boat to motorboat especially, long-tailed boat which is the most important cause of noisy. The best time for sightseeing fireflies during 06.00-09.00 pm., only 1-2 hours boating along Amphawa cannel (Klong Amphawa) to Pee-Lokk canel (Klong Pee-Lokk) to Maklong River and turn to Amphawa cannel (Klong Amphawa). The main boat stations were Amphawa floating market station, home stay and restaurant along Amphawa cannel. Boat floating for sightseeing fireflies effect on community lifestyle changes; 1) social aspect (1) relationship in family was bad, non-participation activity (2) relationship in community, strong differently opinion between agreement and disagreement person with tourism (3) local conflict from natural resources used 2) carrier aspect; changed from agriculturist to owner tourism business and boat man 3) quality of life aspect; (1) bed time too late to 11.00 pm. (2) noisy from boat engine, tourists and hard light from spotlight, flashlight and camera’s flash (3) recreational activity in family was disturbed 4) house changing; sea wall was constructed for protecting shore erosion and house was moved far away from shore.