| Summary: | The study in this article was a qualitative investigation to examine the impact of limestone mining on the communities of Songkhla Province and its consequent slowdown of community-based tourism in the region. The paper considers data gathered from academic and legal documents, as well as field observation and interviews with residents of four communities in Southern Thailand. Results show that low sustainability of mining practices in the mountains at Khuha Tai Sud-District, Songkhla Province is a significant obstacle to tourism and economic development in the area. The mining company in charge of the quarry has come into conflict with local residents over reported economic, environmental and health damages incurred by people living nearby and there has been a negative impact on tourism in the region. Newly developed legislation will encompass limestone quarries, and it is hoped by local community members that this will have a positive impact on environmental stability and the potential for tourism, especially geotourism in the vicinity.
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