UN Tourism states that walking tourism enables tourists to better engage with the local population, its culture, and nature. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been promoting walking tourism because the concept aligns with the principles of sustainable tourism. Because there is a Thai culture of going for a walk after a meal, the development of “walking streets” have been a tourism priority in Thailand, which are typically packed with shops serving tourists. Not just attracting tourism revenue, these walking streets are a source of income for local Thais, who present live music shows, film screenings, and work at festivals.
Despite the growing demand for walking tourism in Thailand, the TAT recognizes that aspects of safety are concerning. Issues include designing pavements for wheelchair users, prohibiting motorcycles from illegally sharing paths with pedestrians, cleanliness, and lack of public transportation. The most critical pain point is the kingdom’s shortage of roads compared with global standards. Road areas account for only 7% of Bangkok’s total city area, less than half of the global average.
The TAT has stepped in to advise local governments advice on developing walking streets because sometimes local governments directly imitate a foreign model without adaptation. The TAT warned that the development of walking streets must satisfy local demand, or else it won’t be sustainable.
