CONTROVERSY ASIDE, "The Beach" most certainly will lure many more backpackers to Thailand, and Asia, for the same thrills Garland parodies in his book. "That would worry me," he admits. "But it's all speculation until the movie comes out. I don't see Leo fans jumping on planes and coming to Thailand." But that is the hope of Thai officials, who are already looking far beyond the estimated $13-million-plus in direct spending the film has injected into the economy. "Movies have always played a major role in promoting destinations," says tourism chief Seree. "In spite of controversies regarding portrayal of facts or fiction, movies create images that stay in people's minds."
The Beach is already proving its drawing power. It lured the Japanese Leo followers, Maya, and countless more here, just like the paparazzi and me. We came for the hype. The buzz. Leo. Later, others will follow the plot-line of the book, of the movie. Looking for the ultimate beach. Maya is already home in Ko Samui, where she works as a healer. In the end she passed Leo's crystal to a minor member of the cast. "It was supposed to reach Him," she says. Shimomura is banging out her book, and the Thai students are busy updating their website. Leo will soon leave and move on to other projects, different fans, more hysteria
