Spa Light Star Bright
By Seonia Gordon
Spa mania has gripped Thailand and on Phuket there is no pause for breath. The Thai spa industry is now evolving to enforce stringent controls of an international standard.That started as traditional Thai massage treatment — which usually involves just a therapist’s hands on a willing body — has evolved into a thriving spa industry offering top-to-toe indulgence. Thailand, always popular for massage, has long enjoyed a reputation worldwide as the place to learn ancient healing techniques to address a variety of ailments, as well as to reduce stress levels and replace lost energy. But now, given the increase in visitors and the increasingly international flavour of the island, those seeking a spot of indulgence can treat themselves to any number of “feasts for the senses”, lavish pampering packages. A new trend involves a synergy of Oriental and Western folk wisdom, where tried and tested remedies combine in a winning formula.
On Phuket, a fantastic range of therapies is on offer, with something to suit every pocket. A simple traditional steam and massage goes for around 300 baht, while 5-star deals, with cool mountain breezes and spectacular sea views, bilities are endless.
And there’s an emphasis on “natural”, “fresh” and “complete”. A holistic approach now represents a large part of the spa hypothesis here, and the industry has progressed to include treatments popular in the West including colonic irrigation, detoxification, weight loss programmes and a vast range of water cures. Several resorts here are now tendering crystal healing and concentration meditation. This is big business. More than 200 spas are listed on Phuket. Nationwide, the industry generates an estimated 3.6 billion baht per year. In a recent “Wellness and Spas Fair” held in the Middle East, Thailand was dubbed Top Spa Destination. “Thai spas are unique in that they provide exceptional service,” said Dr Paial healing and concentration meditation. This is big business. More than 200 spas are listed on Phuket. Nationwide, the industry generates an estimated 3.6 billion baht per year. In a recent “Wellness and Spas Fair” held in the Middle East, Thailand was dubbed Top Spa Destination. “Thai spas are unique in that they provide exceptional service,” said Dr Paiboon, of Bangkok’s Aroma Vera company, in a Bangkok Post article (24 May 2004). “There’s no other place in the world where you can find such superb hospitality.”
The whole “relax and let someone else pamper you” concept is tempting for both tourists and hard-worked local residents stressed by the tough business of living in paradise. No doubt there’s a place for spas, and no doubt that growth in the industry is going to continue. But who’s keeping an eye on it all? It wasn’t that long ago that, when “essential oils” became popular in Europe, regulations were needed to weed out shark operators selling cheap copies that harmed the skin and, sometimes, even led to serious illness. Heard the story about the chiropractor who accidentally broke someone’s neck?
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MPH) recognizes the importance of establishing internationally accepted standards for the spa industry. It has recently identified appropriate criteria for the accreditation and certification of the country’s spa operators. Currently, no national standards exist for the regulation of spas, but the MPH has drawn up a set of guidelines. Each province is responsible for setting its own criteria. The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) has just joined the Phuket Spa Business Club in an effort to encourage resorts to become part of the club, opening themselves to inspection and certification. “We are looking at three main areas when checking a spa,” says PPHO Head of Health Consumer Protection Jurai Skulpuak,” the physical environment of the building and the equipment; the
and lusher evergreen forest is found in the valleys, where the soil is deeper and richer. But opportunistic tropical vegetation flourishes in every niche available. Plants such as pandanus and prickly pear cactus establish themselves even on the sheer cliff faces, sending their roots into the tiniest cracks and subsisting on rainwater, sometimes merely on the humidity in the air.
High above the cliffs, stately eagles soar. Whoops and shrill cries hint at other wildlife, at birds and monkeys as yet unseen. Monkeys, ‘flying foxes’ (tree-dwelling fruit bats, some of them with a wingspan of a metre), and lizards are some of the terrestrial animals most often seen. Sea eagles, vivid blue kingfishers, herons, hornbills, and swiftlets are just some of the common bird species.
People have sailed the waters of Phang Nga Bay for at least 3,000 years. Traces of prehistoric hunters and fishermen may be found in the rock paintings which decorate overhangs and cliffs throughout the area. Sea Gypsies, recreational sailors, and tour groups are among those who have over the years added less interesting graffiti to the petroglyphs. Given the record of industrial and tourism development in most parts of the world, there is reason to fear that human beings will be one perhaps catastrophic factor in the shaping of what is one of the most scenic tropical paradises in the world.
Fortunately, however, since 1981 the area has been designated a marine national park by the Thai government. This has no doubt reduced the risks to the environment. But it is still the responsibility of every visitor to treat Phang Nga with respect, leaving it in the same condition in which we found it, and thereby helping to preserve this natural treasure for those who come after.
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