Chapter 5 Tour guide at work Situation 1: Supakit is a tour company representative. He meets groups of tourists and escorts them from their coach to the boat at Don Sak pier, where they leave for Samui Island. Here is the conversation he had with two European tourists. Maria: Khun Supakit, has this town improved with the boom in tourism? Ment, like a better pier, and more choices in transportation and more jobs than before. But you know, there have also been some problems. Antonio: What kinds of problems? Supakit: Well, environmental destruction loss of tradition, lack of adjustment-you know, the usual problems with development. Maria: Yes, every country suffers from these problems. But what is being done? Supakit Well, in Thailand, the hotels have formed an organization which does many useful things. They are now working to ensure that the resorts take responsibility for the natural recourse that they use, including such things as fresh water, building materials and farmland. Also, they must install sewage treatment plants. They must protect the sea and the beaches from pollution. Antonio: And if they don't do these things, what happens? Supakit: Well, right now, the organization is trying to make information available to its members But it has no legal status, so it can only recommend action. It is trying to make its activities enjoyable, by having rallies and fun runs and cleanup campaigns that involve the whole community.
Maria: Ah, yes, that's indispensable to get the community involved the awareness that everyone can benefit from a clean environment will bring people together. Supakit: Yes, it's very satisfying to see everyone recognize that the problem belongs to all of us. And that all of us must solve it.