style of the local people, based on the knowledge about and responsibility for the ecological system of the area" (TAT, 1996). In addition, The Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) defined ecotourism as a responsible travel in a natural area that has a special identity and a culture closely related to the area's ecosystems. Local participation in ecotourism management is intended to create awareness about the need for ecosystem conservation. In addition, providing a definition of ecotourism can serve a useful purpose of helping to clarify the ideas of concerned persons, especially, in Thailand where as mentioned earlier. The concept tends to mean all things to all people. The following definition from is offered: “Ecotourism is a responsible travel in areas containing natural resources that possess endemic characteristics and cultural or historical resources that are integrated into the area’s ecological system. Its purposes are to create awareness among all concerned parties of the need for and the measure used to conserve ecosystems and as such is oriented towards community participation as well as the provision of a joint learning experience in sustainable tourism and environmental management” (TISTR, 1997). Therefore, this research has taken this philosophy and its attendant principles as central to the analysis.