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Cover
story
: 10 Jan
05
Vol. 21 No. 19
By
Ninnar
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Thailand
Paradise for
Spa Lovers
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No trip to Thailand is completed until you have
experienced a pampering Thai spa treatment . At
present, Thai spas are very popular with travellers
as is evidenced by the key findings of the Spa Industry
Surveys & Spa Consumer Surveys conducted by
Intelligent Spa, Singapore, which show the following
statistical data. |
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Potential
spa-holiday destinations (%)
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| Thailand 22% |
Europe 6% |
| Indonesia 19% |
India 5% |
| Malaysia 13% |
New Zealand 4% |
| Australia 7% |
United States 4% |
| Singapore 6% |
Others 14% |
| Destinations
for next spa |
| Thailand 42% |
Maldives 5% |
| Indonesia 30% |
Others 8% |
| Malaysia 5% |
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| Favourite
spa treatment |
| Massage 54% |
Facial 4% |
| Body Scrub 14% |
Others 18% |
| Body Wrap 10% |
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 As
Thailand has earned a reputation as the spa capital
of Asia, we think it is interesting to learn some
aspects of spas in Thailand.
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Back
ground
At the beginning, spas in Thailand
were chiefly located in luxurious hotels. They
were established around the year 1994 to meet
the needs of foreign visitors at that time.
The services gained popularity very soon. That's
why new spas have sprung up like mushroom in
cities and famous attractions. Many of them
have developed with advanced techniques such
as hydrotherapy and aromatherapy.
Since 2001, the concept of spas has been widely
spread among the Thai urban populations because
they have suffered from health problems caused
by their rushing lifestyles and the polluted
environment. And spa treatments have been found
to be alternative ways to maintain their health
balance.
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Factors
supporting Thailand
as Spa Capital of Asia
Spas of Thailand are second to
none because of the distinctive traditional Thai
massage and the outstanding Thai hospitality presented
through the well-trained therapists. Most clients
are impressed by their smiles and tender attention.
Ubonrat Somprakit, Managing Director of Jasmine
Spa, revealed that many of her clients had revisited
the spa because of the overall hospitable service.
She added that the relaxing atmosphere and the expert
therapists who are service-oriented are also the
key factors. |
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 As
for the government, it has been doing its utmost
in promoting Thai spas. For example, Thailand
is scheduled to hold "ISPA Asia Pacific Conference
& Exhibitions" in 2006, which, according
to Watchara Phannachet, Deputy Minister of Industry,
will be beneficial to the economy in general.
Moreover, the government has provided training
to personnel in the spa industry to enhance the
standards of Thai spas. The Thai Spa Association
and the Thai Spa Operators Association were set
up to bring together all those involved in the
local spa industry to steer Thai spas in the same
direction.
"Even though the number of spas has increased,
it is delightful to learn that along with quantity
has come quality", said Naphalai Areesorn,
President of the Thai Spa Association. However,
because of the intense competition, the trend
of Thai spas will have to change. Monica P. Orias,
PR Marketing and Sales Manager of Mandara Spa
said that Mandara Spa is looking forward to developing
spa programmes for the total well-being of mind,
body and soul. This means that spa therapies have
to be able to nourish the mind (by providing meditation
programmes, for example) and to strengthen the
physical body (by arranging workout programmes).
Several day spas and hotel spas are scattered
throughout Bangkok and other tourist destinations
like Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Samui and Phuket.
If you wish to experience this comfortable indulgence,
go for one at a spa near you.
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About
Spas
The Origin of spa
The name derives from the Belgian town "Spa",
where a natural hot spring was open to the public
to take a bath as a way of self healing. Because
of its benefits, it became popular among health
enthusiasts. Later, the meaning of spas changed
to cover a relaxation in natural surroundings, using
water as the main constituent, combining other natural
therapeutic methods like massages and aromatherapy
together with chemical-free ingredients.
Spa Categories
According to International Spa Association, there
are seven categories of spas:
1. Hotel and
Resort Spa
refers to any spas situated in hotels or resorts
serving both hotel guests and walk-in guests.
2. Destination
Spa is a spa
established in its own building which includes recreational
areas. Most of its clients will stay overnight,
participating in selectable activities like meditation
programmes or yoga.
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3.
Medical Spa
means a spa providing medical treatments and utilising
medical instruments under specialised personnel's
instructions. Generally, this kind of spa is located
in hospitals or clinics.
4. Day Spa
and City Spa refers
to spa services that can be finished at any time
during the day. It may take only 30 minutes or one
hour. The locations are usually in cities or business
centres. |
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5.
Mineral Spring Spa
is a spa service at a natural spring which has been
developed to be a tourist attraction.
6. Club Spa
means a spa combined with a fitness centre.
7. Cruise
Ship Spa is
a spa service on a cruise ship. This is operated
together with useful diet for passengers during
the voyage. |
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Why is it so beneficial
?
Spas originated from mineral water bathing,
which helps eliminate toxin out of the body and
helps calm down the mind, making it fresh again.
Soaking in a well of hot mineral water can bring
a person happiness and peacefulness due to the
warm vapour containing mineral salts.
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ancient spa concept has been carried on up to the
present time but with a variety of choices for different
clients. According to Khun Ubonrat Somprakit, Managing
Director of Jasmine Spa, the frequency to receive
treatment depends on clients' purposes. Those who
aim to lose weight, need to go under treatment every
other day, while those who would like to recharge
can do so every two weeks. |
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Spa and physical senses
Spa treatments also emphasize on pampering the
five senses of human beings, viz. sight, taste,
smell, hearing and touch. All these are held significant
to provide visitors with utmost satisfaction.
• Sight refers to the decoration styles
and the surroundings of a spa, which differently
affect human being's emotions. That is why most
spas use pale hues to create a peaceful atmosphere.
• Taste means flavours of foods or beverages
which people like or dislike and can affect people's
emotions, too.
• Smell comes from essential oils and  herbal
treatments. Different oils yield different medicinal
properties.
• Hearing derives from relaxing instrumental
music.
• Touch is obtained by relaxing massages
*Special thanks to:
• Khun Ubonrat Somprakit, Jasmine Spa
• Ms Monica P.Orias, Mandara Spa
• Jasmine Spa, The Siam Heritage, Andaman Seaview
Hotel and Seaview Patong hotels for facilitating
Thaiways to take photographs.
• The Ministry of Public Health for allowing Thaiways
to use photographs.
*Consult the following advertisers in Thaiways
magazine and Thaiways maps to arrange a personalised
spa treatment: Bangkok--Jasmine Spa,
Win Long Place, Pattaya-- The Jomtien
Beach House & Spa, The Horseshoe Point Resort
& Country Club, Rayong-- Phala
Cliff Beach Resort & Spa, Prachuap Khiri
Khan-- Pattawia Resort & Spa, Chiang
Rai-- The Golden Pine Resort, Samui--
Natural Wing Health Spa & Resort, Phuket--Andaman
Seaview, Seaview Patong Hotel, Phuket Naithon
Resort, Merlin Beach Resort, The Royal Spa &
Health Club, Sunset Beach Resort, Kata Group
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