Onsen press

Since the last post on this new spa, the Japanese style, hot spring inspired, Bangkok situated, Yunomori onsen has gained more fame in the form of positive press write up's. And Facebook fans have now nearly doubled to close to 6,000!

Well a recap of the press: 

• Bangkok 101 has it's second feature, this time from 5 October. Glowing reports of course, if it could be otherwise. It does mention that the owner hopes this will inspire Thai tourism to take hot-springing more seriously.
• One of the nation's leading newspapers, the Bangkok Post (21 September), starts it feature as follows:

  'Dear readers, you might yet again accuse me of lying, or, even more likely this time, of being a disgusting pervert, if I said I took off my clothes and got completely naked a couple of days ago in the middle of Sukhumvit. I hate to admit this, but it's true. And though I would like to claim that it was for a good and noble cause like protesting against human trafficking or animal cruelty, it was, in fact, purely for relaxation. And in case you're interested (of course you are!) in knowing the exact place where the naked incident took place, the newly opened Yunomori Onsen and Spa is the answer'.

  Despite highlighting his own awkwardness with nudity he does overall have a positive experience:

  'What appeared at first to be absolute onsen relaxation turned out to be an ultimate physical confrontation as well'.

  And oh, the Bangkok Post has another write up from the 4th of September.
• Then the Nation (September 30) has a huge article mentioning that it is

  'proving a hit with stressed out Thais ... We expect Yunomori - which literally means 'hot water in the garden' - to support these Japanese expats so we're a little surprised that during our first month of operations, 40 per cent of our customers are Thais who had never experienced onsen in Japan'.

  And an odd mention:

  '"During the first week, we provided disposable underwear for female customers who were too shy to be naked in front of friends and other strangers. So far, only a few customers have asked for it. Perhaps there is an awareness that going completely unclothed is natural in the onsen while wearing even a minimum amount of clothing can draw attention to oneself"'.

  So it is possible in Thailand? No real comment on the experience, but the article does get 100 plus likes from Facebook.
• There's a short write up from Travel & Leisure Asia. And a longer one which adds amongst this:

  'All facilities are separated for men and women. You will have to be definitely naked in there. This surprised me to me when I found that 50 percent of their customers are Thais! Well, both Japanese and Thais are shy, but it is reasonable for Japanese that they are familiar with such service, but Thais are not'.

• And more from directBangkok.

Yunomori onsen on instagram.

Bangkok onsen?

Yes, you read it correctly, within the near future there will be an onsen in Bangkok. Located at A square Sukumvit according to Bangkok 101:

'They offer 20 “discreetly separated” spring baths for men and women using mineral waters from Japan and from local sources such as Ranong'.

Note that there already is an onsen-like business in Bangkok called Arima onsen, tripadvisor has good reviews.

Coconutsbangkok.com has more:

'Set to open in late August, Yunomori Super Sento takes the onsen experience a step further; it offers guests a wide variety of spa treatments, a small bar offering Japanese brews, two restaurants, and traditional Japanese gardens. Even if you’re not into the whole bath experience, the restaurants, Gastro 1/6 and Torajiro Izakaya, should be worth the trip.

...

“There are no bathing suits allowed. Besides, in Japanese culture, stronger relationships are formed when you’re naked. Its like you have nothing to hide.” Smith hopes that Thai patrons take to the Japanese idea and overcome their shyness to enjoy the wonderful experience of bathing naked'.

It has it's own facebook site (nearly 3,000 likes), not a real website. 

It actually focuses on the Japanese expats, supposedly numbering more than 100,000 in Bangkok but also hopes to attract Thai. I have my doubts though. Take for instance this blog entry from a very brave Malaysian woman:

'Naked.. in the pool.. (>.<) .. its kind of hard for a Malaysian proceed with this action, friends were making fun of this topics. LoL .. 

...

Approaching to the Onsen, felt so excited yet felt so scared, what will I see? how should I act?.. (>.<) *NERVOUS*

...

And the next thing I see.. people .. just.. take.. OFF.. their yukata, and then.. walk around barely ! O_O.. eventhough this was expected, but the feeling was still..weird.. (>.<)..

...

Then I cleared off some of the steam on my spec, and the scene was like.... WOAH ~ "bodies" were everywhere ~ (till here, still feel weird! gosh.. am i not suppose to be here?)

...

It's like a big bathroom, there are shower facilities provided with shower gel, shampoo, etc. EveryBODIES sitting down to clean off themselves before entering to the onsen pool. I've to do the same too (its the rules, gaaaahh~ this time gonna do it for real), the shower area is totally exposed, not even a partitions in between, any kind of bathing pattern were in action here. (gaaahh~ i still couldn't accept it! (>.<) weird la ! mama said can not peek people bathing! but now... )

Geeezz.. die die have to do the same, sat down and simply, quickly rinse off, quickly covered with towel again and quickly walk to find pool, there are many indoor pools, some whirlpool, and 2 outdoor pools, I walked pass all the indoor pool, almost all with "BODIES" in there, then passed another auto-sensor door, here reached the outdoor pool (finally can feel some fresh air), and there's nobody in the pool, then I quickly, carefully walk in and sat in the pool (feel safe when hide inside water, LoL ~)  

...

In the changing room, hair dryers, combs, body lotions, face lotions are provided too. I didn't use those as there were really many "BODIES" in there.. LoL ! 

It was really good.. its like .. "Wow ! what's an experience !" hahaha ~ '. 

Well, at least she tried it. And liked it. Many if not most wouldn't dare this for whatever collective shame it might implicate ...

Wishing the new business all the best for their future!

Hot spring beach Krabi

by Dorn on youtube.

Leaving the best for last?

Heading for Porn
The town, néé the province of Ranong, is synonymous with hot springs. However this link is entirely focused on the existence of Raksawarin hot spring, located not far from downtown Ranong. Developed and overdeveloped, this hot spring is hardy a natural feature anymore, even though it is a magnet for passing tourists, mostly locals.

But Ranong province is well-endowed with many other hot springs. On a relative scale. Including the above Raksawarin, Porn Rang (or Phon Rang) hot spring is the third hot spring on a 10 km stretch; Phu Lam Phi being the other. Elsewhere within the province are more hot springs with little or no information available.

Porn Rang seems to have survived the scourge of over-development or inadept development as it is located within a national park (Namtok Ngao N.P.). Though in Thailand that's not necesarily a guarantee, the hot spring of Porn Rang is certainly tastefully developed.

Hoopla
Not so long ago, much was made of pumping in more money to develop Porn. See Soaking in Siam's short exposé of last year. The ambitious Ranong Provincial Administrative Organisation chairman is quoted as hoping Porn Rang would become a major tourist attraction.

Gracefully, other than a well-signposted smooth entrance road and a big car-park, the bus loads of tourists have not added this soaking site to their stop-and-go loads of to-be-experienced sites. Because, despite all the hoopla, Porn Rang is a hot spring worth a visit. And a soak.


The car park looks ominous, but beyond the small entrance gate, one walks along a small stream towards a weir. This being late afternoon, there are many locals, but only locals.

Beyond the weir, but on the same bank, are a few sala's with really nice hot pools. After a soak, one can jump in the adjacent stream to cool off and let little fish nibble your toes, no need to order the Dr. Fish treatment here!


Crossing the weir, there are more wells and roofed pools. Downstream are some older constructions, and a new foot bath. Even further downstream is a nice section with hot pools on either side of the stream and across the stream, rocks have made a nice pool.

Just one of the pools, waiting for soakers (or simply too hot?)

Changing facilities and even toilets are located near each villa. We change and go for a soak. Problem no. 1 is the intense heat, especially in the smaller pools. On the opposite side the bigger pool is more bearable and a great soak ensures whilst the evening encapsulates the surroundings. Slowly the sun is setting.

Porn Rang really is an exceptionally (for Thailand) attractive place for an evening soak. It's odd that tourists are yet to wash up here, why on earth would masses head for cemented-over imitations of what was originally there? Beats me.

Two of the springs

It may seem odd, but the above mentioned web-links are actually the only info available on the internet ...

Getting here: From Ranong town, head south on the main highway 4 for roughly 6 km and take the signposted turn towards the hills. The road winds itself up into the rolling foothills about 1,5 km away. The road finishes at the hot spring car park (see below). Follow the link on panoramio.


Soaking experience: With the wide choice of different pools, all very clean and the opportunity to soak in the adjacent stream this must be heaven. However if clothing optional were even a distant dream, heaven would have been a step closer. For me that is.

Overall impression: Well-organized, well thought through, not over run, excellent experience, a must.

The river