Full name in Thai: ongkan borihan kan phatthana phuen thi phiset phuea kan thong thiao yang yangyuen (ongkan mahachon)
Initials in Thai: o pho tho
Full name in English: Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization)
Initials in English: DASTA
Background
DASTA has been established in accordance with the provision in the royal decree establishing the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) B.E.2546 (A.D.2003) published in the royal gazette issue 120, section 49 ko dated 2 June 2003, and DASTA has started its operation since 1 October 2003.
DASTA is set up as a public organization, with the roles and responsibilities over sustainable tourism operation, through coordination for integrated administration of areas with valuable tourism resources, with more flexibility and promptness in operation than that of government agencies and state enterprises, as an important driving force in the administration of the country's tourism industry both in short and long terms.
Philosophy governing the operation
DASTA maintains equilibrium in 3 dimensions, economic, social and environmental, for sustainable tourism, with participatory process.
Organizational values
“Determination, alliance, service mind, and teamwork”
D = Determination To work devotedly, with patience, enthusiasm, and full determination, to the best of one's ability, while developing each one's knowledge and ability to always keep up with changes, and to work professionally as true experts in tourism
A = Alliance To work in an integrated manner with communities and all related allies in tourism development
S = Service Mind To work with volunteer spirit, ready to serve willingly and sincerely
T = Teamwork To coordinate a joint operation efficiently, aiming at the success of the work and the organization, taking in diverse views with understanding, respect and mutual help
A = Audience To reach out to the community, opening to both positive and negative views, with respect to different opinions, and readiness to improve and develop the work jointly with the community
DASTA's roles and duties:
DASTA has been established to take up duties as the unit to formulate policies and administrative plans for designated areas for sustainable tourism, including coordination with government agencies in the capital, local agencies, and the civil sector, so as to forge cooperation in the development of tourist destinations in designated areas for sustainable tourism, striking a balance among economic, social and environmental developments, while retaining the natural beauty of the places, appropriate environment and fine culture and tradition, as impressive tourist destinations for Thai and foreign tourists to be reminded of and to revisit in the future.
According to the royal decree establishing DASTA B.E.2546 (2003) published in the Royal Gazette, page 2, issue 120, section 49 ko, dated 2 June 2003, the objectives and authorities of DASTA have been defined as follows:
1) Objectives
(1) Coordinating tourism administration with government agencies, state enterprises, local administrative organizations, or other state units with authority, or assigned to administer tourism at national, regional or local levels.
(2) Coordinating the use of authority by government agencies, state enterprises, local administrative organizations, or other state units with authority and duties concerning the development of the economy, society and community, town planning, tourism environment, or law and order, in order to integrate sustainable tourism administration.
(3) Promoting and supporting environmental development and conservation for sustainable tourism
(4) Promoting the use of the potentials of various agencies both in the public and private sectors in developing markets for tourism
(5) Promoting and supporting local people and communities to participate in the conservation and development of tourist destinations in their own communities
(6) Promoting and supporting local administrative organizations and local communities to appreciate and nurture local art, traditions, wisdom, or admirable cultures
(7) Promoting the compilation of tourism information
(8) Promoting the development of areas with potentials in tourism, so as to create employments and uplift the quality of life and livelihood in the localities
2) Authority
(1) Drawing up and presenting policies and strategic plans for the administration of designated areas for sustainable tourism to the Cabinet
(2) Setting operational plans so as to achieve the objectives of the policies and strategic plans
(3) Giving advice and suggestions, as well as joining to solve problems or obstacles in the administration of sustainable tourism in each designated area
(4) Following up and evaluating the results of the administration of sustainable tourism in each designated area
(5) Proposing to the Cabinet or the Minister for consideration and decision in cases of problems or obstacles concerning the coordination in tourism administration in designated areas
(6) Proposing to the Cabinet for approval or allocation of budgets for tourism administration and development
(7) Approving investment and financial plans of the organization
(8) Announcing designated areas with the Cabinet's endorsement and proposing to the Minister the appointments of consultative committees in those designated areas
(9) Supervising the operation and general administration of the organization, as well as issuing rules, regulations, announcements or terms and conditions concerning personnel and asset management of the organization, and welfare or other privileges of practitioners in the organization
(10) Conducting any other matters of continuous necessity so as to achieve the objectives of the organization
