Spa in Thailand
Encyclopedia
Introduced in the early 1990s, spas in Thailand
are a relatively new phenomenon and one that has only very recently increased in popularity. Not only are spa
s popular and fashionable with foreign tourists and expatriates, but the local Thais are also enjoying this new alternative therapy, one which is often ideal to ensure a smooth natural balance. A balance that has been rocked in Bangkok
in particular by the unhealthy, serious life-styles and polluted environs. At first, spas were only to be found in 5-star hotels but they have now mushroomed everywhere.
).
During the period June 2001 – June 2002, 230 operators serviced 2.5 million international clients, creating revenue of $85 million. This amount well exceeds that of competitive countries, such as Singapore
($35 million) and Australia
($15 million). In total, 79% of all clients were foreigners.
The variety of spas in Thailand is wide and is found at almost every destination in Thailand. They are:
A massage is the most popular technique offered at spas in Thailand. The statistics concerning Thai spas conclude that 85% of the treatments given are massage. There are however, many different types of massage:
Other types of massage in Thailand include:
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
are a relatively new phenomenon and one that has only very recently increased in popularity. Not only are spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
s popular and fashionable with foreign tourists and expatriates, but the local Thais are also enjoying this new alternative therapy, one which is often ideal to ensure a smooth natural balance. A balance that has been rocked in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
in particular by the unhealthy, serious life-styles and polluted environs. At first, spas were only to be found in 5-star hotels but they have now mushroomed everywhere.
Facts and statistics
During the years 2000–2002, the growth of the spa industry in Thailand rocketed by an exhilarating 64% and since 1999 Thailand has secured itself a top-5 world rating. In fact, Thailand is the second highest ranked spa destination of the world with an overall grade of 93%+ (just slightly behind AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
).
During the period June 2001 – June 2002, 230 operators serviced 2.5 million international clients, creating revenue of $85 million. This amount well exceeds that of competitive countries, such as Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
($35 million) and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
($15 million). In total, 79% of all clients were foreigners.
Thailand’s spas
There are numerous different types of spa services in Thailand which focus heavily on Thai massage. They are categorized as massage for health, massage for beauty and traditional massage.The variety of spas in Thailand is wide and is found at almost every destination in Thailand. They are:
- Destination spa: The most famous destination spa in Thailand is Chiva-Som which attracts floods of visitors from all around the world who come to Thailand specifically to be pampered there.
- Hotel spas / Resort spas / Retreat spas: Popular spas like there can be found at the top hotels in the major tourists destinations such as PhuketPhuket ProvincePhuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
, PattayaPattayaPattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi....
, Hua HinHua HinHua Hin is a famous beach resort town in Thailand, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok. It has a population of 84,883 in an area of 911 km², and is one of eight districts of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.Hua Hin is closely associated with the...
, BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Ko SamuiKo SamuiKo Samui island of Surat Thani Province , or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over...
and Chiang MaiChiang Mai ProvinceChiang Mai is the second-largest province of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. In the north it borders Shan State of Burma...
. - Day spas / City spas: Are located in the center of the major towns, BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
particularly. They are aimed at business folk who have been stressed out because of their rushing serious life-styles. Hideaway Day Spas in Phuket is one of the oldest recognized institutions and very popular with the discerning clientele. - Club spas: Emphasize on strong body through different facilities being massage, steaming and sauna, hot and cold Jacuzzi, yoga and other physical exercises without a stay at the provider’s place.
- Cruise ship spas: are popular in Thailand with the older generation who wish for not a spa but also the views of the sea and a breath of fresh air. There is also a healthy Thai Spa diet for passengers during the voyage.
- Home / Mobile spas: Are spas in Thailand where the trainer visits the client and not the other way around, beats having to travel through the busy streets of BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. - Hospital / Medical spas: Are provided in Thailand’s top hospitals. They are popular patients who are being treated in the hospital.
- Fusion spas: Are popular with hip Thai and foreign people who want to try out the latest most fashionable type of spa.
- Theme spas: Are in the form of Thai-style parks, gardens or parties.
- Genuine spas: Are the type of spas where their themes are deeply rooted in Thai Buddhism and its cultures and traditions.
- Mineral spring spas: Are for those who have an infatuation for Thai mineral water and its various minerals.
- Detoxicating spas: Are popular with Bangkokians whose body has suffered due to unhealthy urban life-styles.
Popular spa treatments in Thailand
Centuries worth of tradition have devised many different methods. They include pastes, mud-packs, specialized oils, muscle kneading and water jets. More of them are:- Body scrub
- Body wraps
- Facial
- Hands and feet
- Waxing
- Massages
A massage is the most popular technique offered at spas in Thailand. The statistics concerning Thai spas conclude that 85% of the treatments given are massage. There are however, many different types of massage:
- Thai massage is by far and away the most popular type of massage provided by Thai trainers. Many of the clients feel satisfies in the knowledge that the massage they received was traditionally authentic, unlike perhaps the ‘Thai’ massage they are used to back home.
Other types of massage in Thailand include:
- Swedish massage
- Aromatherapy massage
- Ayurvedic massage
- Craniosacral massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Lymphatic massage
- Sports massage
- Stone massage
- Alternatives:
- Yoga
- Acupressure
- Therapy:
- Hydrotherapy bath (e.g., Jacuzzi)
- Inhalation therapy (where the saunas or steam rooms are scented with oils or herbs)
- Aromatherapy
- Thalassotherapy
- Vichy Shower
- Other types of treatment:
- Mud
- Signature treatments
- Spa per individual has soared in popularity in recent years in Thailand. The individual spas available in Thailand include:
-
- Spa for women
- Spa for men
- Spa for couples
- Spa for mothers