In Thailand, Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) has been carried out since 1992, through Environmental
Protected Areas (EPAs) that are used in coastal planning and management for most popular
tourist coasts and islands. This paper examines the effectiveness of Phetchaburi (PB) and Prachuap
Kirikhan (PK) EPAs. The study finds the processes and results are not as comprehensive and sustainable
as wished. Considerable environmental degradation, i.e., coastal erosion, poor water quality and
degraded natural resources were found widely along the EPAs’ coasts. The implications of PB and PK EPAs
within an ICM framework were analyzed. The study findings indicated the important issues to be
resolved include: inefficient intersectoral and intergovernmental integration within and between the
multi-governments, weak commitments to financial and human resources, weak leadership and law
enforcement capability and limited participatory and adaptive management through the stages of the
ICM cycle. Moving forward requires specific actions, commitment, strong leadership and effective
cooperation of key stakeholders. Continued building of environmental awareness on the impacts of
environmental degradation to people and the economy is also needed. This ambitious project differs
from most others in its coverage and the large number of communities and governance bodies that need
to reach agreement. We suggest a number of recommendations that apply generally to developing
countries wishing to conserve biological diversity and use resources sustainably on coasts with multistakeholders
and uses.