Thailand Spa

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 findings of the Spa Industry Surveys & Spa Consumer Surveys conducted by Intelligent Spa, Singapore, which show the following statistical data.

As Thailand has earned a reputation as the spa capital of Asia, I feel it might be interesting to learn some aspects of spas in Thailand.

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. This means 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.

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 good for you ?

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