World Heritage Sites and Domestic Tourism in Thailand

Rapidly growing domestic tourism, particularly from Thailand's urban middle class, is redefining the use and value of UNESCO World Heritage Sites while also exerting significant pressure on their conservation. This study highlights how metropolitan-driven development and shifting lifestyles are reshaping attitudes toward cultural and natural heritage, with Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex serving as case studies. By analyzing these tensions, researchers reveal a complex dynamic where tourism growth both benefits and threatens heritage preservation, offering critical insights for sustainable management in Thailand.

King, V. T., & Parnwell, M. J. G. (2011). World Heritage Sites and Domestic Tourism in Thailand. South East Asia Research, 19(3), 381–420. https://doi.org/10.5367/sear.2011.0055