The Beach

Garland was living in the Philippines when he wrote The Beach and was inspired by the jungles and South Asian culture there, as well as the unique dangers that island jungle life presents. Likely because Thailand is home to approximately 1430 islands, it serves as a suitable choice for a mysterious hidden island with a beach that is unknown to the world and protected by national laws. The beach encampment is heavily inspired by Thai culture, with bamboo huts and a diet based mainly on fish and fruits. Thailand has more than 25 protected National Marine Parks, and it instates strict laws on fishing and the capture and transport of flora and fauna to promote conservation. Thailand has a tropical climate, which comes up regularly in the novel as a source of suffering and hardship for the characters as they acclimatize to the hot, moist atmosphere, and likely adds to their mental states and delirium. Thailand is also a major tourist destination, with 11.4 million people visiting Thailand in 2022 (Sriring, Orathai. “Thailand Beats 2022 Tourism Target With 11.15 mln Foreign Arrivals.” Reuters, 2023). Although many of its natural areas are protected, tourism tends to ravage the natural landscape over time as hotels and resorts replace wildlife and people make their mark.