this brief survey of local resident attitudes suggests that for the most part, tourism is a positive impact on the local community in economic terms, and perhaps a neutral effect on a socio-cultural norms. However, in terms of the local environment, forest degradation is taking place, particularly when and where the elephants from the local eco-tourism attraction are let out to graze,without proper controls in place to minimize the damage they create. thus while tourism development in Mae Ta-Man village has undoubtedly proven a success, inthe shot-term at least, questions must be raised about its long-term sustainability and whether what is taking place really can be defined as 'eco-tourism'? Is what is being developed truly a long-term strategy for Mae Ta-Man village, as set out in the government's national tourism plan? Or is it merely a marketing ploy designed to attract more visitors to this relatively remote area of the country, which will yet face the consequences of ill-managed resource exploitation?