Small island tourism development plan implementation: The case of Koh Tao, Thailand

This article examines the implementation of tourism development plans in Thailand, focusing on the island of Koh Tao as a case study. It examines the applicability of plan implementation theory and explores context-specific factors that affect the success of the tourism development planning process. The research describes the history of land use planning on Koh Tao, evaluates the success of plan implementation, and identifies factors affecting planning outcomes. A key finding of this research is that a more sophisticated understanding of local context could provide opportunities for improved planning outcomes in island communities facing rapid tourism-related development.