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nanikaooh at Phasoet (Chiang Rai):

Onsen♨️♨️♨️ Thailand

As always there's not much to keep you up to date with. 

Sure there's the odd bit here and there, but nothing really newsworthy. Slowly the more natural soaks are evolving into what can be considered a sight to see though fortunately not on the scale seen as in for instance Vietnam. Though no doubt the wave of Chinese tourists still heading to Thailand might change this. Where moneys to be made, there goes the protection of the natural surroundings.
On the other hand it must be said with the willingness to close Maya beach in southern Thailand (source) does mean that to conservation still has a virtue in modern day Thailand. 

If you look at the lead picture, it's a pretty common way of soaking in Thailand. 
One that I fail to understand. 
Thailand is all about sharing and any great setting combined with a few (new) friends is just another reason for a party. 
So why these cubicles? 
They have an appeal of the inside of an empty deep freezer and fail to accommodate even a few friends, 3 max. So obvious it's meant for something not so Thai. An alone bath?

evabaerin alone:

Went for a swim in the not so secret secret hot springs and even boiled an egg in there! 🥚 Did I mention that I LOVE PAI? 💦🌴 #hotsprings #pai

Rustic

adrenne

#lazyday #hotsprings #ranong#thailand

TTRWeekly (Aug. 7), a well read tourist-oriented online newspaper, has a feature on Ranong, southern Thailand and it's underdeveloped potential to tourists especially considering the hot springs:

'Ranong might be known as the least populated province in Thailand, or the one with the longest rainy season at eight months, but for most of us its hot springs are iconic.
There is something about Ranong’s rustic outdoor hot springs that appeals to visitors, who will queue up for the chance to boil an egg in the piping hot water. Like all natural hot spring resorts there is a pungent smell of vaporizing minerals that prompts a few queries or jokes. But ultimately reassurances that it will impart miraculous health benefits usually win the day. We linger and dip a toe in the waters.
The closest hot springs to town are located at Raksawarin Park shaded under the canopy of rainforest trees in a forested mountain area next to a river just 2 km northeast of town.
Three natural springs are appropriately called father, mother and daughter. The latter two are cooler where visitors can wash or dangle their feet over the edge. The ‘father’ pool are where eggs are boiled.
Opposite the pools, the more up-market Siam Hot Spa is located offering a sophisticated bathing pleasure with jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath and traditional massage. There is even a small restaurant serving Thai snacks, noodles, single spicy rice dishes and local curries.
The Raksawarin hot springs were remodelled over the last few years and this in turn encouraged small boutique hotels to open close by, although the original Jansom Hot Spa Hotel remains the most popular.
Jansom Hot Spa located on highway 4 offers 150 rooms and bungalows all with air-conditioning, TV and private bathroom with piping hot natural spring water pumped from the nearby spring. It claims to be the only resort to have 100% pure natural mineral water on tap flowing through the plumbing from the spring itself.
From Ranong town the springs are a pleasant walk offering an opportunity to explore the town and its forested paths around the hot springs.
There’s an impressive line up of Thai food stalls near the hot springs and one of the popular favourites is an ice cream serving in a bread bun with lashings of condensed milk.
The free hot spring pools are the most popular, but shell out THB40 and go for the luxury version that gets you a clean towel and a small cubicle to change to your swimsuit so can enjoy immersion in the deeper, clearer pools.
The water can be as hot as 65 degree Celsius in one of the pools where visitors cautiously pat the surface, or attempt to boil an egg. A river flows through the park and a suspension bridge spans the short distance between banks an attraction for children who run its length back and forth to destabilize anyone in their wake. There is also a meditation pavilion with a warm floor created by underground piping that circulate water from the hot spring. The pavilion is used for meditation, a warm snooze or energetic hot yoga classes.
Pornrang Hot Springs is an alternative, a more natural and quieter spot 11 km south of town, just off highway 4 on the road to Khao Lak. Located just inside the Ngao Waterfall National Park, there is an entrance fee of THB100.
The river running close to the hot spring is crystal clear and the trick is to take a dip in the river cool down and then transfer to the hot spring pool to warm up.
The setting is natural and just sitting in the river as tiny fish take a nibble at your toes is akin to the expensive fad that took urban spas by storm. It still goes on in Ranong, a complimentary courtesy of the river’s fish population.
1 comment:
charubun pananon August 7, 2018 at 16:13We had tried to promote hot spring in Ranong for the past many years but never achieved in the expecting level even trying to attract the Japanese hot spring investors to invest in Ranong also not successful. I assume that the weather in Thailand is too warm to do hot spring bath and noticing that hot spring bath is favorite and popular in the cold weather countries.

So much for pushing Ranong. It is though a very interesting region to visit, with nature galore. 

More Ranong by melinaillustrations, but it's the text which sells the sketch:

So recently, I went on holiday and stopped by a hot spring called Pornrang near Ranong with my family. The hot water is directed into pools for people to soak in then emptied back into streams where the water cools down.
There was only enough time to sketch the stream, the colors were added later so they aren’t faithful. I tried to recreated a warm atmosphere rather than use realistic colors.
Further up the stream I drew was even a spot with doctor or nibble fish, they nibble at your dead skin and are used as a spa treatment in some places. It was really weird to see them in nature and not a tank, they’re a lot bigger and definitely not as gentle. It’s surprising how they repeatedly slam into you but it doesn’t actually hurt.

Powder
Tatsuo Ura reports on Facebook on developments at Doi Saket / Doi Saked (Chiang Mai). Translated and followed by a photo of the building site:

'On February 18, 2018, from the afternoon to the of hot spring. By Car, about 1 hours from Chiang Mai.
The Guide was unwilling to drive a slope and a winding road, so we drove on the way. International License!The car was changing to ford since June 17 The front car is Toyota.As a rumor, I can't take a bath during a large-scale construction.The construction started on September 9, 2017, and it was completed on may 3, 2018The amount of investment is 1,867 million baht (1 baht per month). It seems to be capital of Bangkok. 
For more details, I'd like to take a look at the next visit. I'm impatient to hear from the interpreter'.

Bangkok Post (May 8) enlightens on us on the onsen wave slowly taking over the country's soaking country:

'The popularity of onsens has been bubbling up in Thailand, even though it is a tropical country, says one wellness brand. Thai onsen lovers no longer need to fly to Japan to enjoy a hot soak as onsen services are available across the country, particularly at major tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri and Bangkok -- specifically on Sukhumvit Road and at the K Village retail complex on Rama 4 Road.
Panpuri, a leading wellness brand, is set to open its first onsen on the 12th floor of the Gaysorn complex on Ratchaprasong Road next month, aiming to tap fans of the bathing ritual.
"It is the first onsen downtown. Apart from shopping in the area, onsen will be an alternative activity for visitors," said Vorravit Siripark, chief executive at Puri Co, the operator of Panpuri Wellness and Spa.
Onsen will be one feature at the 100-million-baht Panpuri Wellness and Spa, which entails a variety of services, including organic spa, wellness bar, studio, body massage and meditation.
There are 10 onsen pools separated by gender and two small individual pools.
The company has hired a consultant from Japan to design the onsen system, with hot springs imported in the form of powder [really?] from several Japanese cities. This wellness centre was soft launched last December.
"We've had better than expected responses, and about 60% of our customers are foreigners from China, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong," said Mr Vorravit, a self-described spa and massage lover. Mr Vorravit first opened a Panpuri store in a 120 square metre space at Gaysorn Complex to sell organic spa products for body care.
He opened the space shortly after returning to Thailand from Italy in 2003, where he was studying for a master's degree and was inspired to realise his entrepreneurial ambitions.
"I had a chance to try spa treatments at famous hotel chains. Their services are excellent. But there are no Thai products available there. This inspired me to create my own health and wellness services, without imaging they would one day become part of a global trend," said Mr Vorravit.
He said there is huge potential for spa and wellness centres in Thailand, with foreign tourist arrivals reaching 35.4 million in 2017. Thailand is ranked No.1 globally as a spa-holiday destination, generating revenue of 32 billion baht from foreign customers in 2015.
...
In addition, the company also operates luxury organic spas in Park Hyatt Hotel Bangkok and Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang. "We opened the first flagship store in a 70 sq m space in Ginza district, Japan last year. There is a huge demand for quality and natural products from Japanese customers. After setting up shop in Japan, we can go anywhere in the world," said Mr Vorravit'.

enjoy_sadoodta with a more sedate soak near Mae Kasa, Tak province:

Onsen in Thai style 🇹🇭 #Tak#Thailand #amazingthailand #onsen#explorertheworld #blogger​ #travelblogger#girlsborntotravel#travel #trip #journey #vocation

Tense
Phuketnews goes soaking (Jun. 30):

'The Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa has very spacious grounds, dotted with pools that capture the hot water as it flows up from the depths of the earth. There are two hot pools, both with a decidedly hot temperature of about 40ºC. There are also two cold pools, the coldest of which is about 16ºC – a stark contrast to the hot pools'.

ryseva.vv at Hotsprings Resort:

В Директ сегодня много написали с расспросами об источниках, решила что можно рассказать сразу всем 🤗 В отеле The hot springs resort and spa есть возможность погреться в тёплом источнике :) Среди полезных свойств этого источника отмечают улучшение работы почек, улучшение состояния кожи, снятие стресса и напряжения, облегчение мышечной боли, поднятие общего жизненного тонуса. Быть постоянцем отеля не обязательно. Взрослый билет стоит 400 батт, детский 200 батт (старше 5 лет). До 22 сентября можно пройти в 2 раза дешевле, т.к. один из бассейнов на реконструкции (не лечебный). Ехать с Пхукета на машине примерно час. Ехать определенно стоит, нам очень понравилось 👍🏻 На входе выдают воду, а вот покушать лучше заранее и с собой взять что-то перекусить, поесть там толком не где 😊

Translated it goes sort of like this: 

'They wrote a lot today in Direct with questions about sources, decided that you can tell everyone at once tension, relief of muscle pain, raising the general vitality. Being a permanent hotel is not necessary. An adult ticket costs 400 Baht, a children's 200 Baht (over 5 years old). Until September 22, you can go 2 times cheaper, because one of the pools is under reconstruction (not medical). Drive from Phuket by car in about an hour. It is definitely worth the ride, we really liked it вы They give out water at the entrance, but it’s better to eat beforehand and take something to eat with you, it’s not really where to eat 😊' 

Highondreams (Apr. 7) visit Wareerak hot springs (Krabi) and publish an extensive photographic overview of the experience. Just one of the photo's:

Once again bare (!) with the translation by google:

'Down the hot spring I have to put on a cloth that I love. I like the uniform. I do not have to sit on the porch like onsen in Japan , I do not go to this size, it will not go down to me anyway. I changed the dress to it.We like that the shape of each pond is FREEFORM and play like step ladder. There is a seating area that will allow you to soak up your feet, soak up your waist, soak up your chest or soak up your neck'.

The Bangkok Post (Oct. 4) goes upcountry to Lampang:

'Blessed by nature, the national park [Chae Son National Park] is located in the area of the hot springs in Muang Pan district. Covering the forest area of 480,000 rai, the park also has waterfalls, caves and walking trails for those who love outdoor activities.
Most tourists visit the national park during cool season, although visitors can travel to the park all year round. Last year, the park welcomed about 230,000 tourists, up from 160,000 visitors five years before.
"Our visitors love hot springs. I want to upgrade our service standard, products and facilities so we will have something new to offer tourists. My plan is to make our park the centre of wellness and spa tourism in the North," he said.
To achieve the goal, the national park has worked with Suan Dusit University.
...
The team has recently introduced prototypes of skincare products based on the mineral water of Chae Son National Park.
...
While the food was cooking on the stove, which took about 30min, Phonnabphan wanted us to try spa sum kai, or a herbal sauna in a bamboo chicken coop. We walked to the house of Kabkham Wannasuwong.
She already prepared the herbal sauna for us. A clay pot was put on a charcoal stove. Inside the pot, many types of fragrant herbs were boiling and that included pandan leaves, ginger, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, flowers and shavings of phang (sappanwood). "The herbal steam was originally prepared for a mother who's just given birth to sweat out so that she can regain her strength quickly," said Kabkham. When the community [of Ban Sam Kha] launched its tourism years ago, she introduced the service to the tourists.
She told me to sit on a small wooden stool next to the boiling herbal pot. Phonnabphan and a kid helped lift the chicken coop over me. Only my head popped up from the centre of the dome cage. The smell of boiled herbs was very pleasant. I also felt the heat inside the coop.
"The herbal sauna is good for health. It helps detox your skin," said Kabkham. One course comprises two sessions. Each time should be about 10 minutes. The herbal steam can make you sweat like sitting in a sauna room.
...
Lampang is gearing up for the booming business of wellness tourism'.

Back where we started but not in Chiang Rai but indeed it's Chaeson hot spring. Good guess: 

pnutz_pk

Come on babe 💕