Tourist Island Walkability The Case of Koh Lanta Yai, Thailand

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Tourist Island WalkabilityThe Case of Koh Lanta
Yai, Thailand

• Brittany N. Montgomery
• U.C. Transportation Center, Berkeley

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Outline

• Thai island tourism context
• Koh Lanta Yai characteristics
• Pedestrian environment issues, needs
• Recommendations applications

Photo by Jirapa Pruikpadee
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Thai Island Tourism Context

• Tourism economy
• Cultural and ecological resources
• Face of Thai tourist islands
• Koh Phuket
• Koh Samui

Koh Phuket
Graphic by 2006 U.C. Berkeley Lanta Studio
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Koh Lanta Yai

• Population 10,000
• Land area 99 km2
• Natural resources
• Cultural resources
• Urak Lawoi
• Muslims
• Vision for Lanta
• Meesheewitsheewa

Krabi Mainland
Ferry Crossings
Lanta Noi
Lanta Yai
Aerial by 2006 U.C. Berkeley Lanta Studio
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Koh Lanta Yai - Transportation

• Island access ferry
• Inter-island transportation motorbike, skylap,
  car

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Pedestrian Environment Key Issues

• No pedestrian network
• Limited sidewalk coverage in villages
• Alternative sidewalk uses
• Markets, motorbike parking
• Drainage / erosion
• Shade
• Wayfinding
• Sidewalk amenities

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Pedestrian EnvironmentKey Issues
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Walkability So What?

• Traffic congestion
• Frequent small/short-distance trips
• Environmental sustainability
• Local economic stimulation
• Preservation of island character and community

Restaurants, attractions
Resort
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Recommendations

• Building a pedestrian network
• Location selection
• Financing options

Saladan

• Developer exactions
• Tourist tax
• Hotel owner association fees

Phra Ae Village
Je Lee
Klong Toab Village
Narima Resort
Siraya
San Ga U
Klong Hin/Ban Kuntieng
Graphic by Kristen Maravilla
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Applications

• Economic stimulation of locally-owned businesses
  ? driven by accessibility
• Empowering the local government
• Financing needed public infrastructure with
  private funds (developers)
• Shaping development intensity via sidewalk zones
  or pedestrian-focused areas
• Tapping into existing business organizations
• Krabi Lanta Hotel Associations