The ocean is an essential to Thailand’s economy and the livelihood of many Thai people. The fishing industry brought Thailand into the global market. Entire communities are able to feed their families because of the fish they catch. Not only do fish exportation and trade stimulate the economy, but most of the protein consumed by Thai people is seafood (Coutsoukis 2014).
Tourism has created jobs and brought revenue to the country. On the other hand, fishing and tourism have caused damage to the ocean and its resources. Overfishing, coastal development, and pollution can be consequential to future generations (Bennett 2014).
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Thai and the Sea, references
The ocean is an essential to Thailand’s economy and the livelihood of many Thai people. The fishing industry brought Thailand into the global market. Entire communities are able to feed their families because of the fish they catch. Not only do fish exportation and trade stimulate the economy, but most of the protein consumed by Thai people is seafood (Coutsoukis 2014). Tourism has created jobs and brought revenue to the country. On the other hand, fishing and tourism have caused damage to the ocean and its resources. Overfishing, coastal development, and pollution can be consequential to future generations (Bennett 2014).
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Fishing
Fishing in Thailand is important to all of its residents. The industry brought Thailand into the global market, making Thailand one of the largest exporters of fish. Entire communities are based on fishing; it's an important part of peoples' income and diet. http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/Y4961E/y4961e0j.htm
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Living on the Water
For many Thai people, the ocean's resources are important to their way of life. This phenomenon has influened entire commities to live on or near the water. Their proximity to the water is convenient for the industries in which communities are involved.
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Overfishing
Fishing villages depend on the ocean to make a living. The industry has encouraged large-scale fishing, which has consequences for future generations. Although the government has made regulations on catching fish, illegal fishing is still a problem. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273726048_The_Risk_of_Overfishing_in_Thailand
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Arun
Arun, which means "morning", lives in a small Muslim fishing village with his two daughters. Everyday he goes out to sea and when he comes home, he breeds crabs. The crab eggs, kept in plastic buckets, are small but very important for future fishing.
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Preparing for the Market
After the fishermen return from hours at sea, the rest of the family is waiting to see what was caught. The non-fishing family members are usually in charge of cleaning and weighing the fish. In this particular village, the women are preparing the crawfish to be sold at the local market. 20-07-2016.
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The Market
Small-scale markets are especially important for rural Thai communities. Fishing families are able to earn extra income by selling to locals; these markets are an important source of employment. The non-fishing families are able to purchase seafood, which is a key ingredient in many Thai dishes. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i0230e.pdf
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Boat Building Shop
Ocean-based industries have stimulated the Thai economy in ways other than fishing and tourism. This shop in Koh Samui gives the locals access to materials in which they can repair boat damage themselves. This shop also provides income for the owner in a way that doesn't involve going out to sea.
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Boat Driver
The boat driver remains at the stern with his young helper to steer a boat full of tourists. Operating a long-tail boat is no easy task. The engine is attached to a long pole located at the back of the boat; this pole is also used to maneuver the propeller. Long-tail boats are common in the tourist industry, but require physical strenght and coordination to operate. http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1694872/how-long-tail-boats-keep-southern-thailand-afloat
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Tourism
Tourism is important to Thailand's economy. and is heavily based on beaches and marine species. It promotes development and foreign exchange. Unfortunately, sedimentation from development is causing damage to marine ecosystems and the residents struggle to keep their beaches clean.
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Trash and the Ocean
The visible debris in or around the ocean is only 5% of the total waste in the ocean. Thailand is one of the top five countries that contributes to plastic in the ocean. This is largely due to inefficient garbage collection and illegal dumping. http://www.pri.org/stories/2016-01-13/5-countries-dump-more-plastic-oceans-rest-world-combined
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Long-tail boats
Long-tail boats have a unique design that allows for navigation in shallow canals and rough waves far offshore. Their enginuity and reasonable price makes long-tail boats very common in southern Thailand. Thai people use them for fishing, tourism, and floating markets. http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1694872/how-long-tail-boats-keep-southern-thailand-afloat
