Rapid economic development in Thailand during the past
three decades has led to widespread environmental
degradation, and to marginalisation of rural communities
(OEPP, 1997). Along the coast, commercial logging for
charcoal, large-scale conversion for intensive shrimp
aquaculture, and industrial and urban development have been
responsible for the loss of 50% of Thailand’s mangrove
forests since 1970. At the same time, the fish catch and the
income of many coastal fishing communities have drastically
declined over this period (Platong, 1998)