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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, run anything up
to 7,000 baht, depending on how much you choose from the menu. You can mix
and match delights such as an all-over salt and sandalwood oil body scrub
followed by a body wrap of seaweed milk and honey. Or how about a “sensual”
rubdown with coffee granules and oil after having steamed yourself clean in
a room filled with the scent of lemongrass and ginger? The possibilities 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 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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