Thailand Travel

Miss Chutathip Chareonlarp, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Office said that, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, in cooperation with the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Organization, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality, Fine Arts Department, TAT Phra Nakhon Si  Ayutthaya Office, and relevant public and private agencies, will arrange the “Ayutthaya World Heritage and Red Cross Fair 2009”, during 11-20 December, 2009, at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park to celebrate the occasion that the UN World Heritage Committee announced the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park as a Cultural World Heritage Site in 1991.
  In this event, there will be many interesting activities. Firstly, the Lord Buddha relics  at Chao Sam Phraya National Museum for the public to pay respect. Furthermore, there will be exhibitions and booths to sell OTOP products and well-known goods from 16 districts. Visitors can see an aqricultural exhibition, flowering and decorative plants, and attend a food fair. The Community and Village Leaders’ Thai Country Song Singing Contest, floating market activities, cultural performances, Thida Krungkao Contest, Red Cross booths, as well as buying a Red Cross lottery for donation, are also some other features of this event.
  Vistors should NOT MISS to experience the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient people’s way of life in the imitation marketplace of the Ayutthaya Period and use a replica of an ancient coin, Phot Duang, to exchange for food and desserts. Admire the light and sound performance, “Krung Si Ayutthaya : The Great Kings” (15 rounds; 10 days 10 nights). The opening ceremony will be arranged on Friday,11 December, 2009. The ticket costs 200 baht and 500 baht.
  TAT Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Office would like to invite tourists to visit the “Ayutthaya World Heritage and Red Cross Fair 2008”. For further information, please contact TAT Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Office at Tel: 0  3524 6076-7 or the Provincial Administration Office (Chief of Finance and Accounting Group) at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City Hall, 2nd Floor, Four-storeyed Building, Tel: 0 3533 6563.
Click Here For : Schedules of the Light and Sound Performance & Tour Programme of the World Heritage Site, Ancient Market, and Light and Sound Performance “Ayutthaya World Heritage and Red Cross Fair 2551”

1.  Introduction

The word ‘spa’ probably comes from the name of the town Spa in Belgium.
East meets West, a spa is a place to go to treat and heal your mind, body and spirit using a variety of different techniques such as massage, scrubs, yoga, acupuncture, reike, reflexology, nutrition and body wraps etc.

Back ground / History of Spa in Thailand

Introduced in the early 1990s, spas in Thailand are a relatively new phenomenon – but one though, which has only very recently sky-rocketed in popularity. Not only are spas popular and fashionable with foreign tourists and expatriates, but the local Thais are also enjoying this new alternative therapy, one which is often ideal to ensure a smooth natural balance. A balance that has been rocked in Bangkok in particular by the unhealthy, serious life-styles and polluted environs. At first, spas were only to be found in 5-star hotels but they have now mushroomed everywhere.

Thailand: Asia’s Spa Capital

Thailand is a destination to indulge in this pastime therapy. The country prides itself in countless spas offering the highest world-class services at extremely reasonable rates. Much of the recent success of this therapy is due to the tremendous support given by the Thai Spa Operators Association. Not only have they assisted in the training of therapists to international standards, but they have also trained them in keeping methods traditionally and distinctively ‘Thai-style’. And it is this kind of service along with the one and only Thai Smile that are the key factors for so many visitors to revisit a Thai spa. Furthermore, most clients walk away from the spa with their head held high in the air with a feeling of rejuvenation and a well-being of mind, body and soul. Thai spas are not only quantity, but also quality. Spas can be found at all the major tourist destinations in Thailand such as: Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Ko Samui, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin.

Facts and Stats

During the years 2000-2002, the growth of the spa industry in Thailand rocketed by an exhilarating 64% and since 1999 Thailand has secured itself a top-5 world rating. In fact, Thailand is the second highest ranked spa destination of the world with an overall grade of 93%+ (just slightly behind Australia).
Chiva Som International Health Resort located in Hua Hin, is ranked number one in the world while the Regent Chiang Mai Resort and Spa is ninth.
During the period June 2001 – June 2002, 230 operators serviced 2.5 million international clients, creating revenue of $85 million. This amount well exceeds that of competitive countries, such as Singapore ($35 million) and Australia ($15 million). In total, 79% of all clients were foreigners.

Services and Hospitality

Thailand is a friendly country and a must-go for all those who enjoy nothing more than a rejuvenating spa. The country is famed for its world-class natural healing techniques and especially Thai massage. For those who appreciate the authentic Thai way of life, there are numerous home-stays, including those in the unique hill tribe villages of the north.
Thailand, home of Theravada Buddhism, is the ideal location to do a bit of spiritual soul-searching and reap the benefits of Vipassana meditation, a technique which has exploded in popularity in Western countries. Then, there is the sumptuous cuisine to wine and dine on, with cooking classes available too.

2. Reasons for Thailand’s spa popularity

Well, for one, they are rather different to the ones found in the West. The spas in Thailand are based on the deep-rooted harmony of Buddhist teaching, so creating an inner spiritual calm, complementing the equation of mind, spirit and body. Meditation is also used. Spas in Thailand have an altogether very Thai touch embodied upon a time-honoured healing tradition based on herbal and holistic remedies and generations of folk wisdom.
Thailand also offers award winning service at reasonable rates and makes a beautiful spot for a holiday vacation.

Reasons why most people go to a spa in Thailand

Thailand prides itself as having some of the finest spas in the world offering services at extremely competitive rates. Since Thailand has never been colonialized, the original culture has remained embedded within society and foreign visitors will find the Thais very hospitable and friendly.
Not only does Thailand, boast some of the most dazzling islands and beaches in the world, but also year-long sunshine; perfect for those who wish to get a lovely shiny suntan.
Thailand has an abundance of reasonably priced top quality accommodation where for the equivalent price of a completely basic home-stay in Europe, visitors to Thailand can enjoy the luxury of a four-star hotel. Then to top that off, they can soothe their aching minds with ancient Buddhist a meditation technique, qi gong, tai chi, solar bath and yoga.

3. Thailand’s Spas

There are numerous different types of spa services in Thailand which focus heavily on Thai massage. They are categorized as massage for health, massage for beauty and traditional massage.
The myriad variety of spas in Thailand is quite phenomenal and is found at almost every destination in Thailand. They are:
     - Destination spa, Destination spa, the famous destination spa in Thailand is no doubt, the one and only Chiva Som which attracts floods of visitors from all around the world who come to Thailand specifically to be pampered there.
     - Hotel spas / Resort spas / Retreat spas: Popular spas like there can be found at the top hotels in the major tourists destinations such as: Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Bangkok, Ko Samui and Chiang Mai.
      Popular Hotel and Resort Spas are:

• Bangkok - The Oriental, Imperial Queen’s Park, JW Marriott Hotel, Marriott Royal Garden Riverside, The Regent Bangkok, Peninsula Bangkok, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Sofitel Central Plaza, Thavorn Beach Village, The Westin Banyan Tree
• Phuket - Amanpuri Resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, Central Karon Village, Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa, Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel, The Evason Phuket, Pearl Village, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket
• Koh Samui - Central Samui Beach Resort, Central Samui Village, Health Oasis Resort, The Samui Dharma Healing Center, Santiburi Dusit Resort, The Spa Resort and Health Center, Tamarind Retreat
• Pattaya - Central Wong Amat Beach Resort, Royal Cliff Beach Resort
• Hua Hin - Chiva-Som, Melia Hua Hin, The Evason Hua Hin, Royal Garden Resort, Royal Garden Village, Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort
• Chiang Mai - The Regent Resort Chiang Mai (Lanna Spa)

Racing for a greener Koh Samui
Saturday September 19, 2009
Bophut, Koh Samui Island
Another challenging 1 day race in the Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series.
Disciplines include biking, running, kayaking and swimming.
The Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series is brought to you by Active Management Asia. AMA is a professional sport events organizer specialized in athletic races such as runs, triathlons, bicycle and Adventure Races. See all events part of the Series
Adventure Racing is a new sport that has exploded in popularity across Asia.
AMA is leading that growth in Thailand with its highly popular Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Now in its 4th year of operation, AMA has established an international reputation for its professionally organized events, solid logistics and challenging courses.
AMA is also a leader in the field of corporate training and teambuilding.
AMA also offers exciting school camp programmes.
Please take a moment to visit the AMA home page by following the link http://www.active-asia.com

More than 750 brands from 55 countries to join in this year’s extravaganza

Food and Hotel Thailand 2009, which will open on 2^nd September, is seen to be a responsive approach to creating more business opportunities and bettering industry standards, with more than 750 globally known brands from 55 countries registered for this year’s international food and hotel showcase.

Organised by Bangkok Exhibition Services Ltd. (BES) with the collaboration of the Thai Hotel Association, Food and Hotel Thailand 2009 will feature a wide range of food and beverage, hotel equipments and supplies, kitchen and catering equipments as well as hospitality technologies and retail products.

“Despite the economic slowdown effecting the hospitality industry, businesses are still looking for innovative solutions to improve product and service offerings and enhance competitiveness,” said Prakit Chinamourphong, President of the Thai Hotels Association. “Food and Hotel Thailand 2009, the 17^th edition, will prominently display all requirements, trends and technologies used in day-to-day operations of hotels, restaurants, hypermarkets, groceries and food manufacturing firms.”

Food and Hotel Thailand 2009 is expected to bring together its largest gathering, more than 25,000 hotel operators, chefs, hypermarket executives, restaurant managers, caterers, housekeeping manager and other industry professionals.

“The 5-star trade exhibition will be an excellent opportunity for food manufacturers, equipment distributors and hotel suppliers to meet and closely interact with their potential clients in Thailand's vibrant food and hospitality industry,” Prakitstressed.

This year’s event will also see the annual meeting of the ASEAN Hotel and Restaurant Association focusing on business networking and knowledge sharing to enable the collective enhancement of industry standards.

Food & Hotel Thailand 2009 includes an array of specialised trade shows, conferences and competitions:

· Hostec Asia— the regional trade show and conference for hospitality and foodservice technology;

· International Food & Hospitality Show 2009 (IFHS 2009) — an international trade exhibition for food and beverage, hotel and bakery supplies and services;

· Catering & Restaurant Asia 2009 — a regional showcase of restaurant and catering supplies;

· Hotel Congressby the ASEAN Hotel and Restaurant Association

· Retail Conferenceby the Thai Retailer Association

· 1^st ASEAN Culinary Cup 2009— Asia’s first international culinary arts contest

· ThailandBartender Championship2009 — the country’s most prestigious professional bartending contest

· WACS Summit — World Association of Societies Conference.

Food & Hotel Thailand 2009 will be held on 2-5 September 2009, from 10.30 hrs to 18.30 hrs, at Royal Paragon Hall, 5th floor of Siam Paragon.

For more information, visit http://www.foodhotelthailand.com/

Things to Know Before Starting Hotel Business in Thailand
Realizing the obstacles that hotel business owners are facing due to the closer relationship between environmental management and hotel business development, the Senate Sub-Commission on the Study of Laws which are Obstacles to Tourism Industry would like to provide advice to persons who have engaged or wish to engage in hotel business in Thailand as follows:
If you are interested in opening a hotel, but do not wish to face with problems such as…

•Tremendous amount invested but stuck with EIA!

•Sea in front is strictly conserved due to endangered animals and corals!

•Construction of a small pier caused the hotel beach to collapse!

•Hotel development is stuck due to land use restrictions!

•If known about Green Hotels earlier, the hotel could have attracted a lot more guests!

•Sea turtle egg laying zone, no night parties allowed on the beach!

An environmental study can help solve these problems.

It should be undeniable to say that hotel business mainly depends on environmental resources. Good locations are not only difficult to find but are also strictly controlled by laws, rules and regulations, such as those of building control, town planning, environment and public health. Even with the absence of such restrictions, business owners would not wish to destroy the beautiful surrounding natures with their innocent mistakes anyway, since doing so is comparable to destroying their own gold mines.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report) is what the environmental law requires a project owner to conduct if the owner wishes to construct a hotel with 80 or more rooms. Under the EIA Report process, the project owner must hire a juristic person authorized by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) to conduct the report. As a benefit, the project that has undergone an environmental impact assessment study will be able to respond to all relating environmental issues. Then, the project owner can utilize the suggestions received after the report submission to help develop the project.

As for hotel projects with less than 80 rooms, even though the EIA Report is not required, but however, if the owner wants to ensure that there will be no environmental problems occurred later on, for instance, collapse of beach or destruction of sea animal’s habitat nearby (whose existence helps attract tourists) due to the hotel development, an advice of a competent environmental consultant is recommended to be sought. Being non-governmental professionals, the environmental consultants do not only conduct the EIA Report, but they are also able to provide environmental consultations to project owners in every aspect. Since before the project initiation, the consultants can answer questions such as: What are the laws, rules, and regulations to be considered for running the project in a certain areaω Are there any natural resources to be utilized to attract customersω The consultant can also help the owner plan the construction by advising methods to best conserve the surrounding natural resources both while constructing and running the hotel, since to the owner, surrounding natural resources are like breadbaskets.

As for the EIA Report process, hotel project owners are recommended to have environmental consultants involved since the location selection period. Later on during construction design, the consultant can recommend the architect on important environmental restrictions while studying the environmental impact at the same time to ensure that the project goes according to the environmental standard and to also clarify and speed up the EIA Report.

To seek for a competent environmental consultant is not a difficult task. Project owners are welcomed to see the list of registered environmental consultants at the Environmental Impact Evaluation Bureau (EIEB), Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) 60/1 Soi Pibunwattana 7, Param 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Tel. 0-2265-6500 or through the website http://www.onep.go.th/eia.

BY COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, THE SENATE