Thailand as a Cultural and Sex Tourism Destination - Essay Example

Thailand Destination (Course Name and Course Code) (Institution Name) (Department Name) (Student Name) (Student Code) (Instructors Name) 25 September 2008 Retrieved from ‘http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/thailand/’ Introduction Thailand is one of the best tourists’ destinations in the Far East and generally the world over. Physical features and natural features have influenced the movement of tourist to this place. From the few soldiers that were located their after the Cold Wars, it has grown to become and important tourists attraction destination. The government has put in place strategies and motivational factors that entice tourists. This research is trying to explore Thailand has a cultural and sex tourism destination. Impacts that are associated with tourism in Thailand are explored in relation to society, culture and economic. It analyses what ‘pull’ the tourists and what motivates them in choosing Thailand has a destination. Additionally, it analyses the factors that enables the success of tourism in this location. Cultural and Sex Tourism Thailand tourism lies in the traditional culture of the community and sex tourism. The beautiful scenes and the natural environments that include the heritage and lifestyle of the communities “pull” the tourists (Cohen 1973). Additionally, there is the issue of sex tourism that contributes about 20% of tourist who are arriving in the country. However, the government controls this market to prevent spreading of STDs even though it is officially illegal. Tourist Activities Trekking is an important activity in Thailand whereby the villagers meet with the tourists and they converse about the lifestyles while trekking through ancient pine, rainforests and deciduous trees that are common in the winter. Other features such as sightseeing through the natural heritage and villages that are dotted with pristine streams encourage tourists to visit the area. Elephant riding, river rafting, climbing of mountains, shopping sprees are major activities that tourists participates in. Other activities include spa, shows and entertainments, adventures and scuba diving and snorkelling. Moreover, there is the unique attraction or activity – sex. It is estimated that 20% of the tourist that visit this country participate in sexual practices (Bramble 2006, p. 300 - 302). Natural Environment Features Thailand is a country that contains various natural resources that enables attraction and ensures successful satisfaction of the tourists. The natural resources range from parks, mountains, climate and rivers. There are 48 national parks that visitors can easily access (Michael 1996, p. 63). There are two climate types in Thailand: most parts are tropical wet and dry or savannah climate while some parts mostly the South have a tropical climate. Between November and February, the period is cool dry season where the temperatures average at 15 Celsius at night and averaging 28 Celsius during the day time (Weaver& Lawton 2006). The temperatures fluctuates in other parts such as higher in the mountains, at night the temperatures may reach freezing point while in Bangkok the midday temperatures are around 30 Celsius. This temperature allows comfortable living for the tourists. The topology of Thailand consists of mountains, upland plateau and central plain. This forms a nice place for trekking and the many rivers and ocean makes it for sea ferrying and lake ferrying. Additionally, there are the offshore islands, long coastlines and the diminishing mangrove swamps entice the tourists. Cultural Environment There is a great influence on the culture of Thailand by Cambodians, Chinese and Southern parts of Southern Asia people. The main religion in the area is Theravada Buddhism that brings in the modernity and belief that is followed by more that 98% of the entire population (Weaver& Lawton 2006). Thai Buddhism has embraced animism, Hinduism and ancestral worship and some bits of Islam. There are several ethnic groups that are mainly marginalized populate Thailand who maintain traditional way of life even though there are influence of Thai cultural influence. However, the most used language is English but they still use Thai and Chinese in their activities. In the countryside there are mosques that are used by Islam for worship, churches for the Christians and places of worship for Buddhism - Temple. Temples are common which indicates that most of the population are Buddhists. Thailand community and culture has respect towards ancestors and forms an essential part of Thai spiritual practice. Thais have a sense of generosity and hospitality but at the same time supports social hierarchy. This means that seniority is important and elders rules tradition decisions and ceremonies. Additionally, greetings are through handshake that is started by the younger with words such as “Sawat-dii khrap” for males and females “Sawat-dii ka”. The greetings or wai is an important aspect and forms a sign of respect (William, L 2000). Thailand has various industries and manufacturing firms. The rice fields indicate the amount of rice that is produced and exported to other countries. Other industries include textile products, rubber products, food processing and beverages. Most of the vehicles that are used for tourism purposes are locally assembled. Due to the introduction of tourism certain sectors suffered. Many investors are turning to tourism because it is easier or cheaper to invest in compared to mining or processing industries. In addition, there is ready market for hotels and other facilities that supports tourism. History of Thailand tourism Tourism in Thailand took off when the US soldiers arrived in 1960’s for the Rest and Recuperation (R&R) during the Vietnam War. This was after the realization that the country was supposed to open to the world market hence making profits. This resulted in rapid economic development that brought in the issue of tourism (Richard 2004). Development in Thailand grew rapidly due to free access to U.S market for the exports and the technology that the American brought. This enabled Thailand been introduced to the world market. At this time, 1960, organizations began advertising Thailand has a tourism destination. During the R&R, prostitution grew roots and become an occupation bringing in foreign based prostitutes. Thailand destination for tourism hence fully linked with prostitution and became the number one destination for sex tourism. Impact of Tourism in Thailand Tourism industry has brought in foreign exchange and the economy has drastically improved. Tourism has become number one foreign exchange earner leaving behind commercial activity such as exportation of rice. Employment opportunities and job creation gave job opportunities to the inhabitants and development of infrastructure that could raise the life styles of the inhabitants. Tourism resulted in development of recreational facilities such has golf courses to serve as an alternative foreign earner and pastime (Podolski 2008, p. 323). Prostitution has grown and sexual related diseases have increased. Sex trade has grown to an extent that each community that is within Bangkok is thriving in prostitution. There are many brothels, night clubs, massage parlours and bars that support prostitutions in their menus. Young girls are involved in prostitution and are sometimes enslaved which lead to the local communities learning new sexual skills according to the requirements of the foreign customers tastes (William 2000). Tourism has resulted in overcrowding and population transfer. Commerce centres such as Bangkok and Mai has developed creating uneven distribution of resources that favours large enterprises while the costs are shouldered by the local population. The carrying capacity of the city is been exceed due to tourism related developments. The services that were developed for these areas according to planning authorities have been exceeded and its consequences are evident in sewage and garbage disposal. Environment faces the full consequences of tourism through pollution. Water allocation, waste disposal and safety standards of both the local people and tourists are at a risk. It is estimated that about 500 tonnes of garbage are produced daily without proper disposal of it. Picturesque of the environment has charged. Before children were seen playing in rice field and monks walking in tree lined lanes which has been eroded by industrialization. Beaches such as the Pattaya and Pa Tong are examples of how unmanaged, uncontrolled tourism usually destroy natural resources and environment. Cultural decline is influenced by tourism. Rituals, cultural events and ceremonies have been commercialized and have become a show business for making money. Tourist to some extend have influenced most of tangible culture such as crafts manufacture and arts resulting in poor quality in terms of culture to what the crafts people make. “Pull” Factors Pull factors is a word which is used to describe the activities or resources that makes tourist to visit a place. Some of the pull factors that attract many people to Thailand are the historic sites, beautiful beaches, rich and vibrant cultures, scenic countryside and friendly nature of the Thai people. Thailand is ranked best in terms of warm climate, friendliness of the communities, moderate accommodation cost and the interesting nightlife, excellent cuisine. These are the unique factors that contribute to the attraction of tourists to this society. However, there is the issue of prostitution that generally pulls the sex oriented tourists. Motivation The service and standards that are offered in the Thai hotels and restaurants is consistent in excellent quality. The hotels and restaurants have moderate charges with exceptional quality of service. The staffs and assistants are pleasant, friendly and gentle. Additionally, the services that are offered by the Thai International Airways are renowned for its quality and in-flight services. Managerial skills that are associated with various facilities have ensured that maintenance and high quality of services are maintained. Fulfilment of tourist aspirations ensures that there is a greater chance for them visiting the country again (William 1997). Promotion There are organizations that have been developed that manage tourism and promote it. Tourism Organization of Thailand which was sanctioned in 1960 and the Tourism Authority of Thailand market Thailand has a tourism destination (Smith 2004). The tourism market strategy that they employ takes in the consideration of the customers and range them in terms of low, medium and high cost mass tourism which is also supported by slogans e.g. Land of Smiles. There are travel agencies that provides brochures and posters that shows the services that the tourists will receive in there destination. Different brochures are developed for specific scenes and services. Even prostitution is marketed through journals and there is a saying that instead of referring the country has Thailand it has been changed into “Thighland” this is due to high level of prostitution (William 2000). Hospitality services Hospitality brings in the issue of accommodation and foods & beverages that are offered in the destination. Tourists who visit Thailand have flexible accommodation costs depending on their pockets and tastes. Hotels and restaurants offer accommodation in terms of luxury and tastes for the tourists who are visiting the area. There are cottages and bungalows that are both in the beaches and towns (Cohen & Aveli 2004 p. 759). There are also brothels, bars and nightclubs that offer accommodation services. Generally, the accommodation that is wanted by the tourist will likely receive to one to the tourist likings. There are different types of hotels and those who choose them depend on their needs. Some of these hotels include beachfront, family, activity, pet friendly, business, budget, honeymoon and romantic, boutique and luxury. Gastronomic Experience Tourists dislike or embrace unfamiliar dishes and foodstuffs to satisfy their ego in strange and novel foods (Cohen 759). Neophylic and neophic which are terms that are employed in biological and cultural tastes is reflected in Thais food. Additionally, food brings in the idea of social classes, but this is mostly evident in west countries (Cohen 760). The neophylic and neophic tendency increases the rate that foods stuffs are entrenched into a culture or society. Thai cuisine has five blends that form the fundamental taste: spicy, sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Some of the ingredients that support this cuisine include chillies, garlic, lemon grass, fish sauce and lime juice. Stable food in this community is rice – jasmine variety rice that is included to every meal. Therefore, Thai cuisine is a combination of centuries old Eastern and Western cultures that forms a unique Thai food (Felicia 2003). Generally, the Thai food depends on certain conditions. Some of these conditions are who cooks the food, for what is the occasion, for whom the food is cooked, and the locality of cooking in suiting the all palates. Major ingredients to fulfil this taste were waterborne lifestyles – aquatic animals, herbs and plants. Chuck pieces of meat are laced with spices and herbs and then they are baked, stewed or grilled. When other cultures were introduced, other methods of cooking were subsequently introduced (Cox 2007, p. 150). Chinese introduced stir frying, frying and deep frying. Most of the food is served with the help of fork and spoons. However, communal affair is practiced whereby more than two people are ordering at the same time which increases the dishes that were ordered. Transportation Thailand is fully access country with all means of transportation and supportive infrastructure is available. Accessing the country may be by planes, train, roads and ferry where by moist countries population are accepted without visa requirements. These means of transports are used both in entering the country and moving around within the country. Conclusion Thailand is a unique destination that maximises the needs and wants of different tourists. Tourists who visit these places explore the cultural heritage and those tourists who are motivated by sex find it as a wonderful place due to flexible rules in prostitution. The activities that are associated in this place including sightseeing and adventuring through the rich environment ensures that the tourists’ interests are taken into consideration. Hospitality quality and type of food that is offered in the destination satisfies the tourists. Transportation means and associative infrastructure ensures comfortable movement and change of localities. Bibliography Bramble, T 2006 ‘Another world is possible: A study of participants in Thailand’. Journal of Sociology, Sep., vol. 42. pp. 287 – 309 Cohen, E & Aveli, N 2004 ‘Food in Tourism: Attraction and Impediment’. Annals of tourism research, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 755 – 778. Cohen, E 2007 ‘From Benefactor to Tourist: Santa on Cards from Thailand’. Annals of tourism research, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 690 – 708. Cox, L 2007 ‘Review: Tourism in Thailand’. Thesis Eleven, Nov., 91. pp. 148 – 152 Felix, A 2006, Thailand’s’ Entrance to Tourism. O’Reilly Publishers, New York. Felicia, L 2003, Asia Countries and Tourism. New York Publishers, New York. Kevin, C 1998, Tourism in the Asian Countries. Prentice Hall Publishers, New York. Map of Thailand, viewed on 25 September 2008 http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/thailand/. Michael, P 1996 ‘Sex Tourism in Thailand’. Annals of tourism research, vol. 10, no. 7, pp. 60 - 67. Michael, J 2008 ‘Introduction to hospitality policies’. American Behavioural Scientist, vol. 51, pp. 1867 – 1901 Podolski, A 2008 ‘Public Service Broadcasting as an Infrastructure of Translation in the Age of Cultural Diversity: Lessons for Europe from SBS Australia. Convergence, vol.14. pp. 323 - 333 Richard, M 2005 ‘Globalization and Impacts of Tourism in Thailand’. Annals of Quantitative Research, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 66 – 70. Richard, J 2004, Thailand Industrialization after Cold War. Sage Publications, London. Smith, S 2004, Impacts of Globalization to Asia. McMillan Publishers, London. Weaver, D & Lawton, L 2006, Tourism Management, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland. William, L 2000, Introduction to Thailand, Cambridge University Press, Singapore. William, L 1997, Culture and Society in Thailand, Prentice Hall of Jakarta, Jakarta Read More