Phuket _ The federation of southern spa operators has protested against the Excise Department's classification of their business as sex-oriented, which subjects them to a 10% excise tax.

About 100 spa operators from Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani's Samui island lodged a protest with the provincial health office, the provincial excise office and other provincial authorities.

Pakin Raktaengam, chairman of Phuket's spa business association, said the department's classification based on the fact that bathtubs were provided at the venues was wrong. Spas are about water therapy and related equipment must be provided.

The federation wanted to provide alternative health treatment, not sex. A provincial spa examination committee was also in place to examine venues and verify them as alternative health treatment venues.

Mr Pakin also denounced the department's refusal to acknowledge the committee's work.

``The department's approach is ruining the industry's image and potential as well,'' he said.

He admitted certain operators used the word spa to cover sex-oriented businesses, but said it was the state agency's job to distinguish between the two. ``And a spa that provides sex services isn't a spa,'' he said. Wanwalee Tantikan, of Samui's spa association, said the department had confused health treatment with sex. The industry was working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to promote Thailand as a spa hub in the region.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/25Nov2004_news10.php

Comment from www.hasekamp.net - an excellent source for news comments:

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The federation of southern spa operators has protested against the Excise Department's classification of their business as sex-oriented, which subjects them to a 10% excise tax.

About 100 spa operators from Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani's Samui island lodged a protest with the provincial health office, the provincial excise office and other provincial authorities.

The chairman of Phuket's spa business association, said the department's classification based on the fact that bathtubs were provided at the venues was wrong. Spas are about water therapy and related equipment must be provided. The federation wanted to provide alternative health treatment, not sex.

A provincial spa examination committee was also in place to examine venues and verify them as alternative health treatment venues. We have feared from the start that the Thai Spa business would become a cover-up for sex venues. Are we right after all?

--hasekamp.net 2004-11-25