From solo boat guides to a community kayak cooperative: Ban Thale Nok expands island tours with income reinvested in conservation
A group of 10 fishers who used to take tourists to the islands independently came together to form a cooperative and jointly manage kayak activities after receiving funding from the Sea Guardians project.
Translated from Thai · reviewed by the CF team
Ban Thale Nok, Songkhla Province, is located near famous tourist destinations such as Ko Nu and Ko Maeo. This gives the community beautiful viewpoints and a diverse marine ecosystem, with caves and coral reefs easily accessible. For many years, local fishers have earned supplementary income by taking tourists on day trips to the islands. Around 10 boats have provided these services, with each operator working independently.
With funding from the Sea Guardians project, the group expanded its services by investing in kayaks, giving tourists a closer experience of the area as an additional activity. This change also came with a major organisational restructuring. Previously, each fisher ran their own separate business; the group has now come together to form a cooperative that jointly manages kayak services. This collective approach enables profits to be systematically reinvested in the community’s conservation work, strengthening the connection between tourism income and the stewardship of local marine resources.