Eco-tourism

Thailand has made some efforts over the last 30 years to preserve its lush flora and fauna – with mixed success. Though visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the country’s huge national parks, illegal encroachment continues.
Environmental DegradationThailand’s popularity with tourists and its recent prosperity have benefited the country’s economy, but the downside is the degradation of its natural environment.
Logging and encroachment have decimated forests. Industry and ignorance have polluted waterways. Unchecked development has buried greenery under concrete. Also to blame are grandiose and sometimes questionable government projects such as dams and pipelines. The ocean has suffered too. Over-fishing and looting of marine life have ruined previously pristine areas. Animals have borne the brunt of the onslaught, as habitats shrink and illegal trading in wildlife continues. Perhaps most obvious to visitors is the proliferation of garbage.
Sustainable DevelopmentThankfully, Thailand is realizing the need to preserve its natural heritage. Green groups are working with government and international organizations to establish guidelines and practices leading to sustainable development, not just in tourist areas, but all over the kingdom. In forest and marine parks, local people have been invited to participate in tourism, showing them the benefits of preserving the environment rather than exploiting it.
Responsible TourismPlease help. Boycott goods made of turtle shell, ivory, or body parts of tigers and leopards. Refuse shark’s fin soup, bird’s nest soup and exotic ‘jungle food’. This is meat from endangered animals such as Asiatic black bears and Malaysian sun bears, creatures that endure horrific torture before ending up on the plate. Report any trade in endangered wildlife to Wildlife Fund Thailand (tel. 02-521 3435, fax 552 6083). Dispose of garbage properly and encourage others, especially tour operators, to do so too.
Reference : http://www.circleofasia.com/Eco-tourism-Thailand.htm
Scuba Diving
There is a whole other world beneath the surface of Thailand’s seas. Some of the finest scuba diving anywhere can be found among Thailand’s coral reefs.
Qualified InstructorsThe Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea possess superb dive sites, as many guidebooks will testify. Diving gear and PADI/NAUI instruction are available from dive shops on every major island and coastal resort. Instruction costs roughly US$250-330 (with equipment) for full qualification and is mostly in English or German, with several other languages in larger centers.
Year-round DivingDiving in the Gulf is generally all year round: Pattaya is the foremost diving center due to its close proximity to Bangkok. Visibility here is often poor, but at smaller islands nearby it is much better – 3 to 9 meters at most sites, more at those farther out. Excursion prices start at around US$50 for two dives with gear, guide and lunch all included. For this you can see natural and artificial reefs – shipwreck prices are higher. Non-divers can usually join dive trips for a discount of 30-50%. Other good centers along the eastern side of the south coast are Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Prime LocationsPhuket is the main dive center in the Andaman Sea, with most dive shops concentrated around Patong Beach. Other areas are easily accessible from Phuket: the beautiful bays of Krabi and Phang Nga are just an hour or two away by boat. The Similan and Surin island groups take longer to reach, but the marine life (including manta rays and the occasional whale shark) and stunning coral reefs are well worth the trip. December to April is the best diving season here.
Reference : http://www.circleofasia.com/Scuba-Diving-Thailand.htm