Thai spa: the country's renowned wellness tourism

[webfact]

Thai spa: the country's renowned wellness tourism

By English News

BANGKOK: -- Thai spa services are internationally recognised, thanks to the hard work and successful perceptions of customer satisfaction to provide improved services and business at international standards to clients from around the world.

The Thai Spa Association (TSA) was founded a decade ago, with the objective to promote and preserve the well-being of the spa industry and safety for its consumers.

Phattiraporn Khiewsanun, TSA vice president, said that to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, the association wants to continue what it has been doing -- educating therapists and entrepreneurs alike, as well those interested, so as to push Thai spa to become the leader of global spa businesses.

Apart from spa education, the association focuses on standards and innovation to attract a wider international clientele and yet maintain the authenticity of Thainess in Thai spa services.

Several government agencies play a part in promoting Thai spas and the work of the association, starting from the Ministry of Education dealing with spa courses taught at educational institutions to the Commerce and Foreign Affairs Ministries when it comes to international trade.

To welcome the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, Phattiraporn said the association is a main player in pushing Thai spas to their outstanding status in the region, and beyond.

"The Thai Spa Association was assigned to draft documents and meet with related agencies in all 10 ASEAN countries. Spa businesses in some countries are already mature, as in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, while Myanmar and Vietnam have just entered the business and say they want Thailand to lead," said Phattiraporn.

In Thailand, Phattiraporn said there are more than 100 schools, institutions, colleges and universities teaching spa businesses throughout the country. Some courses are offered within tourism industry and hospitality management subjects.

Located in Bangkok, Chiva-Som Academy offers spa courses to the general public and to its future staff serving its original business, the 'Chiva-Som International Health Resort' in upscale Hua Hin.

After its success in Hua Hin, Chiva-Som founder Boonchu Rojanastien thought if the company wanted to expand its business in Thailand or overseas, it should have its own training centre so as not to depend on others.

Krod Rojanastien, sales and marketing manager of Chiva-Som Academy, said what makes his institution different than others is its foundational approach to classes.

"Our fundamental courses are outstanding. They include anatomy, physiology and body massage. These subjects are very popular. We don't teach only these. Our students get to take related courses such as spa development and management. Those coming here don't have to be masseuses or therapists. They may be entrepreneurs and want to open a spa business," Krod said.

Courses are at the certificate level -- giving recognition for attendance and professional accomplishment.

Seventy per cent of the students are Thai, while foreign students come from a diversity of countries -- the Philippines, India, the Middle East and Kenya. Krod said some of them only fly to the country to take courses and return home to open spa businesses. That is why the school was chosen a decade ago to be founded in the capital where travel is convenient.

In Thailand, the services part of the spa business grows continously at 6-10 per cent annually. The Thai Spa Association said last year such the part had a business value at Bt16 billion. This year, it was expected to generate Bt18 billion, exclusive of spa products and related wellness tourism. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-12-13

[Thai at Heart]

What percentage of tourists come just for health and wellness.

And no I don't include a soapie massage as health and wellness.

[ratcatcher]

What percentage of tourists come just for health and wellness.

And no I don't include a soapie massage as health and wellness.

But you should.

[FangFerang]

I think Thai massage is brilliant. I had a problem with my left elbow and neck for many years in the US. I spent a LOT of money to get it fixed, but nothing my US therapists tried worked. One loon wanted me to go to a specualist and have surgery. I never spoke to that guy again. I went to a Thai masseuse and was lucky to find one that could speak English fairly well. Long story short, I went twice a week for a month and after y e a r s of painful problems, the pain stopped and never came back. That was in 2010.

YAY Thai Massage!!!!!

[householder]

+1. Neck pain is sorted out (temporarily) through twice weekly 1 hr massages at 150 a pop.

[jpeg]

These Thai spas are a total ripoff. Friend paid for 4000 baht 90 minute poultice massage in Phuket, I had exactly the same thing for 140 baht in Pai. Still, if these idiot tourists/expats with too much money to spend, then go on chucking it away.

[noitom]

Often Thai "massage" is a euphemism for sex. Note all the seedy massage venues when walking around cities in Thailand.

[ratcatcher]

Often Thai "massage" is a euphemism for sex. Note all the seedy massage venues when walking around cities in Thailand.

That's because "Thailand" and particularly the three Pats (Pattayqa, Patpong and Patong are synonymous with ........................sex.

[JoeThePoster]

What! Such a long article and no mention of the Hub?

[ratcatcher]

What! Such a long article and no mention of the Hub?

"Hub Of Rub" ?

[brit1984]

What percentage of tourists come just for health and wellness.

And no I don't include a soapie massage as health and wellness.

Most tourists come for multiple reasons - few come ONLY for temples, or ONLY for floating markets, or ONLY to see Thai boxing, etc

For other Asians (especially from the "richer" Asian countries) spas are certainly among the main reasons (along with shopping malls and restaurants) to visit Thailand (especially Bangkok).

This is not so true for Westerners (who for now are generally satisfied with a quick foot massage at most) but over time, more are developing an interest in spas.

[Johnnie99]

Hilarious advert. Whoever really heard of Thai 'treatments' being in any way healthy?

Satisfying for the duration of the physical treatment (keep it clean guys), relaxing even, but 'healthy'? Nope. Sorry.

[Johnnie99]

+1. Neck pain is sorted out (temporarily) through twice weekly 1 hr massages at 150 a pop.

-1. Shot yourself in the foot with the word 'temporarily'.

[tomyummer]

It's a joke. A few years back the Ministry of Health was backing the Thai Spa Association as it wanted to promote and trademark Thai massage and wellness. It was a bunch of bull because many of these wellness treatments are not endorsed by the medical community. The Thai government wanted to brand massage as the Spanish had already started to. The Thai government even wanted to create their own ISO standards for it. So instead of concentrating on the real global health industry they were (and probably are) still trying to push for Thai spas. It's nothing different from what you find in every other resort cities around the world.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[bangon04]

What percentage of tourists come just for health and wellness.

And no I don't include a soapie massage as health and wellness.

But you should.

Because it is always nice to read a story with a happy ending.