The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) "contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers". This includes fair prices, fair working conditions, helping the environment and helping the communities of tourist areas. Thailand has its own problems with Fair Trade. There are many groups trying to help. One organization that is committed to Fair Trade is The Family Tree founded by Premruethai, a Thailand native and Peter, born in England who later found his love for the Thai people. The Family Tree is shop located in Thailand that sells crafts made by the people of Hua Hin, Thailand. The Family Tree was started to help teach women the skills of cutting, sewing, and dying Thai silk bags and clothing that would also create some income for their poor families; but it didn't stop there. As the children of these women grew older, they also needed some way to contribute. This is when Peter and Premruethai decided to open their own shop to support many different communities, groups and causes around Thailand. This allowed people of the Thai community to create crafts from their own culture and helping future generations. They also plant trees to help replenish the natural resources of Thailand.

As a part of Fair Trade, the Family Tree guarantees a fair price for the creator of the product along with fair working conditions and works in partnership with WFTO. These handmade arts and crafts made by local artists and community groups consist of over 75% of their products. These products contribute to preserving the Thai culture, arts and family businesses.

The Family Tree is involved in helping the environment. They have committed to plant one tree is for every 1000 Baht spent at the Family Tree. This effort has brought in more than $3000 US dollars in donations between the years 2011-2013. They have been able to raise money for a solar powered pump that will irrigate many of the trees they have planted.

The Family Tree is a company that has contributed a lot to the Thai community and tourism. Visit their website and see what they have to offer and maybe you can find ways that you can help Fair Trade tourism wherever you travel.

http://www.familytree-huahin.com/

Thailand has many beautiful adventures to offer; yet this tourist destination is behind in ecotourism awareness. Many endangered animals dwell in Thailand and there is still country wide destruction of natural resources and both have seen no relief. With so many things to see and experience, how can we fulfill all desired adventures without causing harm to this beautiful country. Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) is an organization that "shows a concern for environment, culture, tradition and sustainable interest of this planet earth." This organization provides an almost endless list of adventures like bike tours that offer the ability to see the sites at you own pace; kayaking, rafting and canoeing that will not disturb the wildlife while allowing you to take in the beauty of the water and surrounding wildlife. This organization also provides options for eco-friendly lodging that include camping, homestays, hotels, small resorts and "eco lodges". Their mission is to provide an eco friendly activities and adventures that conserve natural attractions and educate and train the public in sustaining eco friendly activities. They also encourage their members to stay responsible tourists by avoiding or minimizing activities that might damage the cultural and natural environment as well as promoting positive impact of the local communities. They also encourage their members to organize any activity in a way that can educate tourists about the environment and local culture. They have four locations in Thailand that include Koh Chang, Pattaya, Krabi and Kanchanburi. Please visit their website and see what they have to offer.

http://www.teata.or.th/

The boom of Thailand tourism began in the 1960s when Thailand became a place of rest and recuperation for the soldiers during the Vietnam War (MMH, 2012). Since then, Thailand tourism industry has grown rapidly into a large part of Thailand's economic growth. On December 26, 2004, the day traditionally known as Boxing Day, Thailand was hit by a devastating tsunami that killed over 150,000 people (Fox News, 2005). Those who survived where left without friends, families and many had their business, their livelihood, destroyed. Fishermen and workers with smaller shops were affected. Many had merchandise, equipment and/or buildings damaged or completely washed away (Rigg, 2005). Immediately after the tsunami, there was a 90% drop in hotel reservations and approximately 100,000 people working in the tourism industry in Thailand lost their jobs (International Labor Organization , 2005). "'Even though we can quickly rebuild hotels, it will take some time to draw back tourists to the affected areas,' said Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra while touring the disaster area..." (Shadra).


Work Cited

After the tsunami In Thailand, the tourist industry fights back. (2005, April 11). Retrieved January 9, 2014, from International Labor Organization website: http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/features/WCMS_075558/lang--en/index.htm

MMH Master Class in Bangkok. (2012, February 12). Tourism industry in Thailand [Blog post]. Retrieved from MMH in Asia Master Class in Bangkok website: http://blogs.cornell.edu/cornellmasterclassinbangkok/2012/02/21/tourism-industry-in-thailand/

Rigg, J., Law, L., Tan-Mullins, M., & Grundy-Warr, C. (2005). The Indian Ocean tsunami:
socio-economic impacts in Thailand. Geographical Journal, 171(4), 374-379.
doi:10.1111/j.1475-4959.2005.00175_3.x

Sharda Prashad Toronto, S. (n.d). Tourism industry crippled. Toronto Star (Canada).

Thai Predicted Tsunami; No One Listened. (2005). Retrieved January 10, 2014, from Fox News website: http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/01/13/thai-predicted-tsunami-no-one-listened/

Thailand's tsunami-hit tourism. (2005, March 24). Retrieved January 9, 2014, from BBC News website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4375815.stm