The informal tourism sector in Hua Hin, Thailand.

• Main Authors: Ho, Winnie Yue Ling., Tan, Weijie., Hui, Grace Wai Yern.
• Other Authors: Smith, Russell Arthur
• Format: Final Year Project
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Business::Industries and labor
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/10359
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This research study is conducted to investigate the spatial patterns of informal commerce in Hua Hin. It is intended that the study will add value to future tourism research in Southeast Asia beach resorts. The case study analysis method is utilized in this research study. Primary data was obtained through field observations and interviews with the informal vendors. Secondary data was obtained from Tourism Authority of Thailand and relevant literature sources. The study has identified clear spatial patterns of informal tourism (TI) commerce congregating at areas with a higher incidence of tourists. This culminates in an overall T-shaped spatial arrangement at the beachfront along the access road of Hua Hin 61 and the beachfront. Inland, TI vendors are observed to arrange themselves along major roads or at streets leading to major roads where pedestrian flow is high. Upon sunset, the epicenter of TI activities is noticed to shift inland, from the beachfront. Through the observation and identification of the typology of modes of informal commerce found in Hua Hin, discussions are made regarding the distribution and shift of TI during day and nighttime as well as during the weekday and weekend.