Thailand Health Tourism

Thailand is well known for its world-class beaches, bustling cities, Buddhist culture and smiling locals, and is also doing very well in its medical and health-care aspirations. To add to this are numerous spas that can be found in hotels, resorts and clinics in all resorts and cities. Combining a holiday with a package of spa treatments in a luxury tropical setting is hard to beat.

Everything from world-renowned day spas and world-class spa resorts in Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, and Chiang Mai, to medical spas and specialist clinics and hospitals are on offer. Detox centers can provide a full range of treatment at a fraction of the cost of similar centers in Europe and the US, while traditional Thai massage and European-style oil massage are offered all over.

All-inclusive spa packages are available at health spas in the main resorts, where accommodation and most types of treatment are offered. They are affordable on a global scale and the equipment is generally of a high quality and the staff are well trained and certified. Thai massage, aromatherapy, facials and wraps tend to be the most popular body treatments, along with waxing, chemical peels, and skin exfoliation.

Bangkok, the Thai capital, has the pick of the luxury spa outlets although the island holiday destination of Phuket in the south of Thailand is rapidly gaining ground. Phuket also has the advantage of the beach and cleaner air as well as a better climate. Chaweng Beach on the Gulf island of Koh Samui is also becoming a popular spa holiday destination.

The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai also has a huge amount of spa options in five-star holistic resorts as well as humble street massage outlets. Prices are a lot cheaper for the same treatments than at spas in Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui, making this northern city a popular choice.

By law, all spas in Thailand are supposed to be registered with the Ministry of Public Health and although many of the smaller outlets are not, the larger, high-profile ones are and have certified spa therapists. It is easy enough to find out if a particular spa is accredited or not.