TOURISM, GLOBALISATION AND CRITICAL SECURITY IN MYANMAR AND THAILAND

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Abstract
This paper seeks to articulate recent debates on globalisation and critical security with the process and local impact of international tourism development in Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). It argues that, although tourism is an important manifestation of the globalisation phenomenon, its impact on host societies is very much dependent upon the influence of local institutions and actors. Hence, the enquiry will focus principally upon the “global‐local interface”. The impact of tourism is viewed within the “new security” framework which involves broadening the notion of security beyond its traditional focus on military issues and inter‐state relations into such realms as economic, environmental and societal security with a strong emphasis on sub‐national situations. Using empirical examples of forced labour and human rights in Myanmar, the HIV/AIDS crisis and societal insecurity in Thailand and Myanmar, and the environmental impact of golf tourism in Thailand and elsewhere, the paper attempts to show how the perceived macro‐level benefits of active tourism promotion are frequently traded off against significant, and occasionally severe, negative local security impacts. How such a situation occurs will be the principal focus of this investigation.