Thai Spas Real Relaxing Destinations

If you plan to have an unforgettable spa experience in Thailand, you will absolutely come to the right place because our spas have gained popularity for bringing customers total relaxation in tandem with good health. Besides, we are best known for our unrivaled friendly hospitality and remarkable Thai massage. In fact, Thai massage and Thai spas are inseparable, and having a mere glimpse of them before you give them a try is useful and sensible.

People receive a Thai massage to sooth muscular aches and pains, ease sprains, relieve nervous tension and to stimulate blood circulation. Thai massage is sometimes conducted with the application of heated herbal compresses to improve its result.

Generally, traditional Thai massage is divided into royal Thai massage (Nuat Ratchasamnak: นวดราชสำนัก) and folk massage (Nuat Chaloeisak: นวดเชลยศักดิ์). Royal Thai massage was formerly reserved for the King and the royalty. Thus, masseuses must perform their task in a deferential manner and only hands are allowed to  be used. Breathing onto the  patient's body is considered  impolite, so masseuses shouldn't bow their head while giving a royal massage.

Royal massage is a tender massage because  masseuses apply less strength to ensure that they don't hurt the patient. In comparison, folk massage is a vigorous one and it is used among the general public. Other parts of the body such as elbows, knees, legs, heels and feet can be used to give a more forceful massage.

Apart from Thai massage, the magnetism of Thai spas is their deliberate styles that match the topography and culture of each region and a great choice of local herbs and other spa components that create a wide selection of Thai spa programmes.

It is difficult to name some of the best spas here since this is a matter of taste and price. Normally, the quality of products, treatment menus and the styles of décor make differences to each place.

In this issue, Thaiways briefly introduces our health conscious readers to the key spa destinations of Thailand by focusing on the characteristics of spas in each region.

Luxury Central Region Spas

Resulting from its wonderful central location, including the Thai capital, the region contains a large number of executive spas. However, the spas in this  region range from the luxury hotel spas, which welcome all visitors, to the less extravagant day spas in renovated houses. But the cream of the central region is the medical spas, a new type of spas that has recently risen in the central region especially in Bangkok.

The medical spas provide signature spa menus such as various kinds of massage, herbal steam, body scrubs and hydrotherapy, to relax your body and mind, together with therapeutic programmes and the use of aesthetic technology under the supervision of physicians. Though they may not sound like the real place for absolute relaxation, the medical spas conveniently offer a one-stop service for good health seekers. Examples of therapeutic and aesthetic treatments available in the medical spas are the regular health check-up, high blood pressure and diabetes controls, detoxification, and alternative medicine like yoga, Chinese acupuncture and reflexology, as well as slimming and nutrition management.

Another interesting feature of central region spas is a good range of high-quality homemade products produced from natural and local ingredients. With the harmony of great selections of Thai herbs and their healing properties, Thai spa and beauty products cover from head to toe. They come in all kinds of applications-cleansing, scrubbing, wrapping, masking, massage oil, massage gel and cream, and hair care, to name but a few.

Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Chang Island are ideal spa locations in the central region where you can get away from the busy city life and experience a real charm of a relaxing and rejuvenating spa therapy.

Thai Lanna Spas in the North

Apart from the cooler climate and breathtaking mountain scenery, the Lanna style architecture and its exquisite decorative arts such as woven fabrics and wood carving significantly enhance the character of northern spas. In a unique relaxing northern spa ambience, all your five senses will be pampered. The beautiful scenery and Lanna culture always create good first impressions to newcomers. The aromatic smell of native plants floating in a bowl and the soothing essential oil will make you fast asleep. Indigenous herbs, fruits and vegetables are essential ingredients for making you refreshing drinks. The gentle and graceful hand touch together with the tunes of Lanna musical instruments played during the treatment will lull you to a deep rest.

Some of you may want to try traditional northern style massages like "Yam Khang" (ย่ำขาง) and "Tok Sen" (ตอกเส้้น). Both are the fruits of local wisdom that can effectively relieve muscle pains. Yam Khang is a kind of massage which a masseur gives by warming his feet on hot charcoal before pressing them on a client's body, while, in Tok Sen, a therapist prods a wooden stick onto a client's body to clear a blockage in the energy lines.

If you want to relax and experience the natural and cultural beauty of the north, the Lanna spas are recommended to you. Although the majority of them are in hotels and resorts in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, you can also find a significant number of spas in other northern provinces like Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Nan.

Green & Pampering Southern Spas

Thai spas in the south are quite distinct from those in other parts of the country. Apart from having the beautiful marine landscape that attracts record numbers of tourists, the southern region offers tourists an authentic Thai spa experience in combination with seaside cultures. Most treatment menus in the southern spas are somewhat tied to the ocean and beach culture. For instance, a treatment may combine healing methods with the use of fresh or dried local ingredients like grated coconut, Phuket pineapple, turmeric and black sesame. Imagine yourself having a stunning body massage in an outdoor pavilion located amidst the warm tropical sunshine and the gentle sound of waves lapping against the seashore. What else could make you feel more relaxing?

For mineral bathing lovers, Ranong province has many natural hot springs to offer which are genuinely suitable for bathing. The water here not only has the    property to relieve tension and muscle pains and to regulate blood pressure, but it is also of benefit to the skin. Therefore, most spas in the province adapt the mineral water, which is directly piped from the geysers, to use in their treatment programmes.

The southern region is dotted with all kinds of spa ranging from the hotel and resort ones, which provide luxury treatments in the ultimate spa escape, to the cosy ambience home spas and day spas that offer professional treatments on daily-basis. Phuket, Surat Thani (especially Samui Island) and Krabi are famous southern holiday destinations that offer you a complete relaxing and healthy spa vacation.

Although the characters of Thai spas differ from region to region, they all represent Thainess, an integration of the gentle Thai manner and traditional healing power that can't be found elsewhere. That's why many visitors put a spa visit into their tour programmes. On your trip to Thailand, just find a spa near you, walk in and then enjoy the happiness. No matter where you are in Thailand, you can always find a good spa to unwind.

Recommended spas:

Bangkok

• Sala Luckshamee Spa, in Bangkok Rama Hotel,
  Tel: 0 2722 6602 to 10
• Mandara Spa, Tel: 0 2476 0021 ext: 1563
• Banyan Tree Spa, Tel: 0 2679 1052 to 4

Pattaya

• Massage & Spa in Aiyara Palace Hotel,  Tel: 0 3841 6800
• Spa in Loma Resort & Spa,  Tel: 0 3842 6027 to 8
• Ravindra Spa,  Tel: 0 3823 5777

Phuket

• Sukko Cultural Spa and Wellness,  Tel: 0 7626 3222
• The Sense Spa  Tel: 0 7633 3014
• The Merlin Spa in Patong Merlin Hotel,  Tel: 0 7634 0037 to 41
• The Merlin Spa in Merlin Beach Resort, 
  Tel: 0 7629 4300, 0 7629 4333
• Anchan Resort & Spa,  Tel: 0 7627 1250 to 1
• Kata Beach Resort & Spa,  Tel: 0 7633 0530 to 4
• Karon Beach Resort & Spa,  Tel: 0 7633 0006 to 7
• Phuket Orchid Resort & Spa,  Tel: 0 7639 6519 to 23
• Kandaburi Resort & Spa,  Tel: 0 7742 8888
• Paradise Thai Spa,  Tel: 0 7634 0666
• C & N Resort & Spa,  Tel: 0 7634 5949 to 50
• Salathai Spa,  Tel: 0 7629 6631 to 4

Thailand Paradise for Spa Lovers

By Ninnar

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.

Potential spa-holiday destinations (%)

Thailand 22%    
Indonesia 19%    
Malaysia 13%     
Australia 7%
Singapore 6%

Europe 6%
India 5%
New Zealand 4%
United States 4%
Others 14%

Destinations for next spa

Thailand 42%
Indonesia 30%
Malaysia 5%

Maldives 5%
Others 8%

Favourite spa treatment

Massage 54%
Body Scrub 14%
Body Wrap 10%

Facial 4%
Others 18%

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  
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.
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.

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.

This 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.

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.

For the correct pronunciation of romanized Thai words, see

Romanization System of the Thai Language.