Negotiating lanta goes green: Assembling management of marine plastic waste in touristic island of Southern Thailand

Abstract

This dissertation aims to (1) investigate the elements that constitute the Lanta Goes Green movement and marine plastic waste management, (2) understand the practices in the assemblage of the Lanta Goes Green movement, (3) investigate the encounter between the heterogeneous sets of interests that mobilize the Lanta Goes Green movement. The study selects Koh Lanta Yai (Koh Lanta district, Krabi province) and related neighboring areas, which are currently facing diverse problems and management of inland and marine plastic waste resulting from intense tourism, modern living activities of the people on the island, and trans-boundary marine plastic waste, blown from other areas. The study draws on the four concepts of socionatural transformation, assemblage thinking, and environmental discourses and multiple governmentalities under the formation and movement of Lanta Goes Green, practices of Koh Lanta residents, and environmental subjects. The study found: First, the formation and emergence of Lanta Goes Green movements related to the provincial movement called Krabi Goes Green and the former foundations in community-based management (mangrove forest and tourism) and waste management practices caused by encounters with natural resources and environmental deterioration, and some tourists who care about the environment. In addition, the increasing waste and environmental discourses have also encouraged concern about waste management to keep the tourist destination peaceful and beautiful. The coal-based projects were considered the significant trigger of the Lanta Goes Green movement. Second, the coming of the “Lanta Goes Green” strategy has strengthened the environmental practices of Lanta residents. The movements have added the implementation of sustainable energy. Solar rooftops were installed in many tourism-related establishments and communities. Inland and marine waste management was expanded to many establishments and ecosystems. Tourism entrepreneurs, foreign and local volunteers, and some villagers have practiced various forms of waste and marine waste management. Various forms of waste management comprise (1) the waste separation in hotels, resorts, restaurants, and communities, (2) the beach cleanup activities led by the private sector and foreign residents and supported by local inhabitants and some LAOs, (3) the processing wet organic waste to the bio-fertilizer, and (4) upcycling and recycling the plastic materials. Three forms of waste management practices are categorized here: environmentally conscious practices, local organizations, and ordinary villagers. Third, the encounter with socionatural transformation, foreign tourists, practices on environmental management, diverse technologies of government, and environmental discourses, Lanta residents have produced multiple environmental subjects through the Lanta Goes Green movement comprising environmental citizens, enterprising farmers, opportunistic environmentalists, and green brokers. The findings of this study show that Lanta residents are more aware of environmental and waste problems, and the practices they created help apply to the overall waste management in Koh Lanta District. However, the increasing number of tourists and unsuitable waste management practiced by most LAOs and ordinary villagers is a big challenge for Lanta people, officials, and external sectors to negotiate an appropriate system to conserve Lanta Island's environment.