Winners?

Votes
Back in 2009 I went to some lengths to find out what would be possibly be the most popular Thai hot springs. Now, considerably overdue, a new overview.

In the interceding years however, there have been some shifts in measuring popularity. I've settled on a mix of google, bing, flickr, google blog, tripadvisor, youtube and instagram as the basis for measuring popularity. 

The following is the line up, with in the brackets are the positions of 4 years back:

1. Sankampaeng, Chiang Mai (3) 

2. Tha Pai, Mae Hong Son (1) 

3. Hin Dad, Khanchanaburi (5) 

4. Fang, Chiang Mai (2) 

5. Klong Thom, Krabi (10) 

6. Phabong, Mae Hong Son (8) 

7. Betong, Yala (4) 

8. Raksawarin, Ranong (-) 

9. Pong Duet, Chiang Mai (8) 

10. Phasoet, Chiang Rai (-)

Pai hot spring, a find from instagram

Between the numbers
Notable in the above list are not necesarily the small changes, but the advance of Krabi's no. 1 hot spring. Certainly in the perspective that the used sources were unlimited in time, meaning that past references remain. So for major changes to take place this implies a huge increase in popularity.

What can't be read are the differences between the toppers? The first 4 are close to each other. Number 5 is in a class of it's own, while the remaining 5 are again quite close to each other.

Phra Ruang hot spring (Kampaeng Phet) is now no. 11 while 4 years ago it was seventh.

Top Thai
I also did some research into Thai language sites, using google image search, limiting myself to finds of the last year. Out of the roughly 200 recognised photo's most were from Sankampaeng with Fang hot springs a good second. Others which were often mentioned were Hin Dad, Chaeson (Lampang) and Wiang Pa Pao (Chiang Rai). 

Significantly absent were the hot springs of Pai and Klong Thom, which are very popular with foreign travellers, as well as a long trip to reach for the bangkok middle class.

On the other hand Wiang Pa Pao is a busy intersection between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai (another far away town), an ideal car/bus stop with the obligatory photo. So we might have to notice a cultural rift ...

Another particularity is the emphasis of Thai hot springs affecionado's for aesthetics. Of the first 100 photo's from the last 12 months, very few contain pictures of soakers themselves (two to be precise). In English the same search notches 12 photo's of soaking. Begs the questions: are Thai more shy? Is soaking more foreign?

With the exception of Hin Dad, the other four prominent hot springs are featured for their photographic value, the ability to make a selfie. 

Finally, whereas in English many findings concern soaaks on the tourist trail, in Thai there is a much broader number of different hot springs in the results, some surprisingly little well-known.

And what does this top 10 add to our knowledge? 
Not much, my favourite Porn Rang (Ranong, below) is way behind and there are still many nice and unseen soaks to be discovered in Thailand!

Hot pot

Just a couple of pieces to share as well as one news piece and a link to a lesser known Siamese soaking site ...: 

 

'another smaller pool, this is the least warm pool, the baby is really enjoyed it'.

Pai hot spring, from Is my place blog by Rachygal

Unfortunately no picture on this allowed, but nonetheless it's a small but interesting write up on flickr, concerning Kapong hot spring, Phang Nga Sam Spicer notes:

'This is a hidden gem and doesn't feature in a single tour itinerary! I wouldn't have known about this lovely natural hot spring if it wasn't for a Japanese friend who runs a delicious restaurant in Bang Niang, Khao Lak. (www.enzointernational.com/). If you want directions to this place, I'm sure Toshi-san will be able to provide them for you!

The hot springs are fantastic, and if you go around sunset, a lot of the locals will be there taking their evening dip! Take a few eggs to heat up in the hot spring sources and then enjoy your boiled eggs with an ice cold beer. It doesn't get much better than that!

This place is just one of the many reasons I love Phang Nga province. There is simply so much nature to be enjoyed here, much of it away from the tour buses too. It's still possible to feel like you're really exploring a jungle or getting off the beaten track'.

A testament to a great experience. I've been there! 

'in the hot pot, but so sabuy'

Yunomori onsen, Bangkok. Instagram

News: An onsen at Khao Yai?

'K.D Asset and Development Co recently invested THB650 million (US$21.87 million) in new project Zen Next, which it has earmarked as the ‘first Onsen Condominium in Thailand’.

It notes that a hot spring will be developed. One must also note that there is no natural hot spring nearby.

Kantang hot spring, Trang province. Source

Couple of images

Webstagram to rule? From instakrysss.

 Klong Thom hot spring, Krabi, Thailand

'Pai. Hot Springs after our jungle trek'

From the flickr page of Alex711

Hin Dad hot spring, Khanchanaburi. aptwentysix: 

'Outdoor hot spring bath. Thank you Gobori on your great discovery while you and your Japanese army troops invasion during World War II ;'

E-marketing:

'At Tham Khao Phlu Hotspring [Chumpon], there is a room for taking a hotspring bath with a rate of 60 Baht/hour for the first hour and then 40 Baht/hour for the consecutive hours, or you can have it all day for 300 Baht'.

Hot spring site threatened? 
The Khuan Kalong hot spring is rather non-descript hot spring in Satun province, South Thailand. Apparently it needs to be upgraded (source). The local administration wants to plough in half a million dollars so as to attract more visitors. What would you rather see? This: 

Or this:

source

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!