by

Evolution of Spa in Thailand

By Keiko and Laura

Spa Concept Emerges from Thai Massage

If you want to talk about Spa industry in Thailand, you cannot ignore Thai Massage. The hospitality / tourism country, Thailand, has a huge spa industry. You will see many “health land”, “Spa” and “Thai massage” shops around shopping malls, hotels and on many street corners. Thailand began its spa history with the Thai massage 2500 years ago. It came to Thailand with Buddhism from India. This type of massage is known as an authentic Thai massage. Thai massages are so popular that many people come to Thailand get spa treatments, specifically, Thai massages. Thus, demand of Thai massage increased. Since its orgin, the massage industry in Thailand has expanded its business to not only provide Thai authentic massage, but also to encompass broader spa concepts: rejuvenating, beauty, health, wellness and anti-aging. Consequently, spas not only offer Thai massages, but also sculpture treatments, oil treatments and hot stone massages that are not originally from Thailand.　Interestingly, Thai massages have some superficial similarities to Chinese meridian theory. Nowadays, Thai massage is popular among different countries such as Japan, The U.S., New Zealand and Canada.

 
Various types of Spa
 
Thai Massage
Spas in Thailand have different styles. As most of you already know, Thailand is famous for Thai Massages. Thai massage is a type of massage that involves stretching and deep tissue massage. It generally follows the energy (Sen) lines on the body and stimulates/improves the internal organs. It also helps relieve pain from aching muscles and improves blood circulation.This form of bodywork is usually performed on the floor, with the client wearing comfortable clothes that allow for movement. Usually, you can get Thai massage in a small place with casual touch. The place may be unclean, crowded, probably with no fancy decorations and no extra services such as hot herb tea after the massage or hot wet towels. It can be done solo or in a group of a dozen or so patients in the same large room. The downside of going to these places is that the general skill level of the therapists greatly vary.

However, as the industry grows, some places have begun to provide fabulous decorations with scents and private rooms for the massage/ treatment. These places train therapists well, ensuring that their skills are consistent. Many women and middle class locals prefer middle to upper scale places like this.

The use of herbal balls against pressure points is also Thai-style. It enhances the effects of the massage and herb help to relieve stress. Usually, oils are not used in Thai massage.

Thai massages normally cost 200-400 THB (US$7-$14) an hour, which is very inexpensive compared to most nations. For example, in Japan, costs US$ 100 at minimum for a one hour massage. In luxury Thai spas, Thai massages may be as expensive as 3000THB  (US$100) above.

Hotel Spa
Most of hotels in Thailand offer spa packages. Luxury spas are typically very popular among tourists. They offer variety of treatments in a luxurious environment.

Day Spa
People can choose to spend a day at a house. The house is designed just for spa treatments, and it usually contains a flower bath. Day spas typically involve a full-service spa treatment including lunch and tea, and most people spend a day in the house.

Medical Spa
Medical spa is a trend for anti-aging and well-being. It is a mixture of Asian medication and Western medication. Medical spa is the newest spa concept in Thailand. Under a doctor’s consideration, you can combine spa treatments based on your condition and specific needs. It provides benefits such as whitening, beauty, stress-relief and increased health. Some spas have restaurants inside the building where people can eat healthy food and relax before and after treatments. The restaurants provide a healthy food menu, using lots of fruits and vegetables. Some spas use only organic fruits and vegetables. On top of that, Thai food uses lots of herbs and is thought of as healthy food.
 
Just a taste – History of Thai massage

Thai massage and medicine is said to have come down from Buddha’s physician over 2,500 years ago. In reality, the history of Thai massage is more complex than this legend of a single founder would suggest. Thai massage is a combination of influences from Indian, Chinese, Southeast Asian cultural spheres and traditions of medicine. The art as it is practiced today is likely to be the product of a 19th century synthesis of various healing traditions from all over the kingdom. Even today, there is considerable variation from region to region across Thailand, and no single routine or theoretical framework is universally accepted among healers.

Future of Thailand Spa industry-Sunny

In Thailand, Thai massage is one of the branches of Thai traditional medicine (TTM), now recognized and regulated by the government, and is widely considered to be a medical discipline used for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments. Thailand spa industry will likely continue to grow. Thai people’s hospitality helps to increase this industry as well. In addition, recently, Medical Spa is getting more attention. Generally, people are getting more concerned about their health and well-being than before. Therefore, the demand for spa is increasing and Thailand will be the great place to continue providing a variety of spas. As Medical spa grows, chemical-free spa environment will likely become trend in the near future.

One sad fact is that, some spas provide sexual services and thus some people associate Thai spas with said services. Contrary to this emerging theme, Thai Massage therapists are typically very profession and well trained. In Thailand, there are many schools that teach Thai traditional massages. However, still, there are places that degrade therapists’ position by providing sexual service. To protect this huge industry’s reputation, Thailand needs to differentiate these types of spas from others. At the glance, both look similar, making it difficult to tell from the exterior what kind of spa it is.

References:
Salguero, C. Pierce, Traditional Thai Medicine: Buddhism, Animism, Ayurveda, Hohm Press, 2007
Wikipedia-Thai massage
Thai Spa Association-http://thaispaassociation.com/
All about-Japan magazine-http://allabout.co.jp/gm/gc/20545/
Amazing THAILAND-Tourism Authority of Thailand-http://www.thailandtravel.or.jp/activity/massage.html
Youtube-Thai Spa, Asian Downunder -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-p76UMaQBQ&feature=player_embedded
All Images are taken from Google image search

 

 

305 thoughts on “Evolution of Spa in Thailand”

  4. I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. LIFT DETOX BLACK

  12. This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. taruhan olahraga

  15. It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. Are you on the hunt for a tool to block Twitch ads? If that’s the case, I suggest giving the blog post about Twitch extension a read. It covers everything you need to know about ad blocking during your streams. To learn more, simply visit the blog.

  19. I think this is a fantastic article, and I really appreciate you letting me know about it. That is precisely what I had hoped to find, and I really hope that you will keep sharing content that is of such high quality in the years to come.
    Abogados Divorcio Virginia

  24. This essay is excellent, in my opinion. You captivate and captivate the reader with this knowledge. You write in a way that leaves readers with a lot to consider, and I like that.
    Best Cricket id

  25. This is an excellent piece, in my opinion. This information is engaging and entertaining because of you. I like the style of writing you do since you give people a lot to ponder.

  26. This essay, in my opinion, is excellent. This material is made engaging and fascinating by you. It’s great that you write in a way that leaves readers with plenty to ponder.
    Cricket id

  27. This is a really well written post, in my opinion. You captivate and captivate the reader with this knowledge. You write in a way that leaves readers with a lot to consider, and I value that.
    Online cricket id

  28. I was surfing net and fortunately came across this site and found very interesting stuff here. Its really fun to read. I enjoyed a lot. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. códigos lucrativos

  30. Efficiently written information. It will be profitable to anybody who utilizes it, counting me. Keep up the good work. For certain I will review out more posts day in and day out. sell my business

  36. Very good article, gave us a lot of good and useful information about how spa services in Thailand develop? I will follow your blog. Please stay updated! You can play: dordle to relax, or pass the time!

  37. ETH’s value in the context of blockchain development lies in its utility within the Ethereum ecosystem, its role in powering transactions and smart contracts, and its potential for investment and fundraising opportunities.

  38. ETH’s value in the context of blockchain development lies in its utility within the Ethereum ecosystem, its role in powering transactions and smart contracts, and its potential for investment and fundraising opportunities. ethusdt

  39. Your blog post was a delight to read! It’s brimming with valuable insights, well-structured content that is both informative and engaging. Your writing style not only communicates with clarity but also excels at simplifying intricate topics, making them easily understandable. The consistently positive tone, along with the practical tips you provide, is truly inspiring and offers a fresh take on the subject. I’m eagerly looking forward to more of your outstanding content in the future!
    Abogado Conducir sin Licencia del Condado Somerset

  40. Shoe cleaning station can also be found in residential complexes, particularly in apartments or condominiums. These stations are usually placed in common areas, such as lobbies or entrances, allowing residents to clean their shoes before entering the building. This helps to maintain the cleanliness of shared spaces, prevents dirt from being tracked inside, and enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the property.

  41. you can buy best quality jacket on leatherjacket Don’t wait any longer, buy now and show your support for your favorite team! تركيب شبك حماميمكننا التخلص من المخلفات التي تسببها الطيور والحمام والطيو

  50. “Fantastic post! Your insightful perspective and clear articulation make this topic both engaging and informative. I appreciate the depth of your research and the way you break down complex ideas into easily digestible pieces. Keep up the great work, looking forward to reading more from you!”
    ¿Cuántos Puntos por Conducir Descuidada en Nueva Jersey?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *