Salty

llcoolreed at Wareerak hot spring (Krabi)

🌸🌸

Not much to report on. Nor that many pictures, come to mention. 

Mgronline (Mar. 20) has an article on a newly (?) discovered saline hot spring in the province of Krabi. Translated:

'Today (20 March) Mr. Maen Lamphol, Head of Village 7, Ban Na, Huai Nam Khao Subdistrict, Khlong Thom District, Krabi Province, brought villagers to explore the new salty hot spring in the area of ​​Moo 7, Huay White water after the villagers have jointly developed the route Take a walk to see the nature in the area by the salty hot spring that is newly found as a circular pond. Diameter of about 2 meters, depth of about 50 cm. There are traces of villagers brought stones around. And bring the wood to be a walking path The water in the pond is clean, salty, with a temperature of 35 - 40 degrees. For health, relieving pain'.

It further reveals that tourists come here because of it's natural location, within a swap forest.

More Krabi. wanderintwo (Mar. 14) has an essential (?) guide on Krabi's Emerlad pool and Krabi hot springs. Not much to add. I mean what help is it to prepare yourself to be not alone at these locations? Sounds logical in one of Asia's best known hot springs.

Sorry

esmeevanrvensteijn

Thailand spam 🌿💚 #sorrynotsorry #hotspring #nature#friends

To bring this entry to an end (already?), some northern soaks. Above Pai, below Chiang Mai.

seapeople

น้ำพุร้อนกลางป่า
#บ่อน้ำร้อนบ้านยางปู่โต๊ะ​ #เชียงดาว

Time

anitagoldenbeauty at Chaeson

Relax time Lampang way 💕 #onsentime #lampang #thailand #dvicioexclusiveth #love #friends

As the Thai soaking season is well and truly behind us, what are the pictures popping up on instagram concerning Siam's soaking haunts?  And no, not those of the most popular soaks. well, maybe ...

Setting the tone, above a delightful typical Thai setting, soaking with the extended family (and friends?), a great way to start this photographical tour.

Going south, Ranong has one of Thailand's best hot springs: Porn Rong, a number of larger tubs located in a forest with a babling brook along side. 
The photo following this is probably the lesser appealing of this blog entry, but beggars are no choosers ...

dekyingkae555

 PornRung #hotspring 🔥🌫🌋💦🌫🔥อยากแช่มั้งเนาะแต่ต้องไปทำงานแล่ว😢

mairinfo 

Shortly after our luxurious bathe in the hot springs, this field trip full of school children arrived. They were so excited to jump right in, much to the amusement of the remaining adult bathers who came for a relaxing soak. #school #fieldtrip #children #allsmiles #purejoy #hotsprings #soak #mineralwater #thailand #krabi #seetheworld #natgeotravel

Stylish

nunnycosci staying at River Kwai Resotel and heading to Rock Valley hot springs

#หมูบุรินอินไทยแลนด์แปร๊นแปร๊น #kanjanaburi #working #บันทึกไทย #ThailandRecords #thailand #socool #feedgood #travelingram #traveling #travel #traveladdict #ilovetravel #hotspring #onsen #thaistyal #outdoor #canon #canon60d #canonthailand

Further up the isthmus brings to Khanchanabri (above) and of course Bangkok where fake Japanese style bathing places seem all the rage.

aomzaa_phakkasupat at Let's Relax Onsen and Spa Thonglor

Onsen Onsen สบายจาย

#ถ่ายรายการ #RogerWu

#TVB #HongKong

#Onsen #LetsRelax

#Spa #Thonglor

Lovers

nacklouis at Maejok, Phrae province

ออนเซ็น @แพร่ คือดีนะ

ไม่ต้องไปไกล.สบายตัวมาก

#onsen #phrae #phraeonsen #onsentime #แช่น้ำพุร้อน

Unfortunately many of Thailand's hot springs are locked up in unappealing cells. Above it says Maejok, but could be anywhere in the country. 

Following this, are more appealing hot springs of north Thailand, including another (spruced up) cell. 

Rounding this blog entry off is another from Pai's Sai Ngam hot / hot spring. 

 

kwang_litter, just out of Mae Hong Son town enjoying a soak at Pha Bong hot spring.

 #naturelovers #meahongson #hotspring

khunmamui at Sippa hot spring resort (near Sankamphaeng) with the transcript 'as hot as the water!'

ร้อนๆเยี่ยงนี้ แช่น้ำร้อนสิครับบบ 😂😂😂 #Hotspring #Chiangmai

too_badz86 at Pha soet (?) hot spring

Life is so much easier when you just relax.

#holiday #chiangraitrip #Thailand #hotspring

peter_morcos 

#Thailand #Pai #hotspring #a7s2

Passion

A larger tub located in Nong Sai Phrao, Chiang Mai province. Translation of the Thai article reveals that temperatures are 50-60°C at source (source).

A couple of picca's and a few quotes, that's what makes up this entry.

Starting off with a link to a video by Bangkok Post (Jan. 24) on (off-topic) sand bathing:

'People visit the Black Sand Beach in Trat and cover their bodies with the sand. They believe it helps reduce fatigue and symptoms of paralysis'.

Krabi, source

While in the area the Bangkok Post (Feb. 1) also visits nearby Krabi:

'From the bay, we cruise through the dense mangrove forest and turn into Sikao Canal. Hundreds of fiddle crabs rush back to their holes when Banjong jumps onto the bank. Just steps from the crabs' home is a saltwater hot spring, of which crystal clear water runs directly into the canal.

"The hot spring sits on the canal's bed, yet not many know about it until the canal changes its course and a mud deposit fills up the bank; at this point, the hot spring emerges," said Banjong. It may not be such a good idea to take a dip in this hot spring which is filled with fiddle crabs. 

Luckily, if you go a bit north into neighbouring Krabi province, you'll find the Wareerak Hot Spring Spa which is highly recommended. Wareerak is different from other spas. It has its own hot spring well hidden in huge tropical garden. Guests can take a dip in outdoor pools and get some sleep during their massages. 

"Our hot spring has warm water at 42C. It's ready to use. After getting your body checked up in traditional Thai style by a doctor, guests will enjoy a body scrub and dip in the hot spring," said Chantima Channam, the resort manager of Wareerak, describing her award-winning hydrotherapy programme'.

Now we’re having a coffee at that nice little cafe I posted not too long ago and taking our time to relax and think about amazing time we had so far! In about ten days we will leave Thailand for Laos, so need to soak up every last bit of this amazing country!

#hotspring #gopro #pai #thailand #asia #vsco #vscocam #travel #traveling #vscoadventure #adventure #lonelyplanet #tripadvisor #goworld #travelingourplanet #backpacking #igerstravel #river (bij Sai Ngam Hot Spring)

Source: yeahhright

Elevation
Less natural Kashikiri Soda Onsen and Spa is a wellness "resort" in central Bangkok which itself notes:

'Our passion for spa onsen in Japan, happened to be the 1st and the only private spa in Thailand'. 

There's no word on the origins of it's waters but it does also note:

'Elevating the onsen spa services, we strive to deliver the best minerals essence from the top sources of hot springs in Japan. The premier essence powder are imported especially from Beppu and Kusatsu directly into our baht tub ...'.

No word yet from tripadvisor ...

 

Indulge yourself with the treasure of enrich minerals from Japan hot prings and volcanic essence#privateonsen #beautifulplace #bangkok #thonglor #bts #spa #relaxing #healthylife #goodhealth #bodyandsoul #chic #skin #kashikirisodaonsenandspa #kashikiri49 #kashikirionsenbkk #kashikiri

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Then to wrap this up, back north for two photo's , the first from Chiang mai province, the second  of Phu Klon mud, Mae Hon Song province.

  

ไคแตงโมเหลือง เอ็ดดี้ที่รัก เพพเพ่สไปซี่ดัค

Chiang Dao's cement rings, source

 

#mudmasks from 280000 year old mud #beauty #health #hotsprings #chiangmai #ITMschool #thailand

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Heaven on earth

 

Traditional thai onsen spa in the mountains. น้ำแร่ร้อนๆแบบไทย แช่สลับกับน้ำตกเย็นๆฟื้นฟูกล้ามเนื้อได้ดีสุดๆ ไทยสไตล์สัดๆ [hotsprings] [hotsprings] [hotsprings] #thailand #onsen #chiangmai #burinparinliveinchiangma

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Secret soak style 
Let's start from north to south and near the border with Burma we can discover the albeit rustic and local soaks of Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai province (above), while below are the slightly more upscale hot springs near the town of Samothong:

 

#onsen #chiangmai #thailand in the morning. #heavenonearth [shower] [shower] 

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Spent the day in The Secret Hot Springs surrounded by the jungle and getting splashed by a couple of naughty little Thai kids! [swimmer] [skin-tone-3] @kstewrat #saingam#hotsprings#bliss#jungle#chillin#pai#thewaterwassohot#travelling#thailand 

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No posting here is complete without a slice of soaking heaven, more commonly known as Sai Ngam, Pai, Mae Hong Son province. Secret no more (above). 

While elsewhere in the same province there seems a new development at hot springs north of Mae Sot town:

  

I'm happy to see you happy, my love [heart_eyes] [heart_eyes] [heart_eyes] [kissing_heart] [kissing_heart] #onsen #thaistyle #maesot #tak #thailand #relax #bath #greatview #happy #moment #love #life #chill #time #backtobasics #outdoors #unplanned #trip #journey #travel #holiday #happyholidays 

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Counting

Apparently, there are 120 Onsen spots in Thailand, so we decided to explore a bit!👘♨️ Big differences from Japanese Onsen is 1: they don’t get naked, 2: they stare. 3: there’s no washing space, 4: they don’t freak out when we are taking pictures, and 5: so we can actually take pictures! 😂💦 (at Kanchanaburi)

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Central Thailand receives little attention (above) while Krabi is a lot more popular:

บำบัด [joy] [grin] #hotspring #onsen #krabi #thailand #wareerak #wareeraksa #spa #unseenthailand #naturalhotspring #onzentime #thaispa #thaionsen #thailandstandupchallenge #thaimassage #relax #retreat #instapic #iphone5

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#hotsprings [four_leaf_clover] 

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Siam hot spring? With the adds on of a Health Club. Apparently there's such a place near Chaiya, Surat Thani province. Facebook page posts this:

   

คุณโชคชัย ราชรักษ์ December 7 At บ่อน้ำร้อน Siam Hot Spring.

Also try to be confused with Siam hot spring in Ranong ...

Experience

Gains fading away but still enjoying life [raising_hand] [ocean] [sunny]  #ChiangMai #Hotsprings #Hotpool #sankampaeng 

Se Siam soaking winner of 2015: Sankampaeng. Source

Consider to differ
With the end of the year fast approaching, let's look at what are Thailand's most popular soaks, based on internet awareness. 

Points were awarded to relative standings on Instagram, Google search (of the last 12 months), google search (based on % of the first 100 results), Twitter (number of hashtags), flickr / Tumblr / Youtube finds, Tripadvisor (number of comments) and Facebook (likes).

These scoring posssibilities differed from last years overview as bing and pininterest search results were excluded, while google percentage and Facebook likes were included. 

Was the result much different? 
No, there's little change to last year and the top 5 is exactly ranked the same as two years back! So much for changing the sources of calculation ...

Business as usual
Outside the top 5, there were some shifts, most notably the picturesque Wareerak hot spring (Krabi) coming in at number 7.
 

Amazing afternoon at #wareerak #hotspring #thailand #spaexperience

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It is part of a pattern, whereby privately operated soaks are increasing their presence on the internet as that's what they need to do to continue to stay in business.

Those at the top of the lisst remain mostly non-business entities with a little enhancement of the original surroundings but mostly natural (though exclude the number 1 from this note). Whereas 4 of the numbers 6-10 have business interests at heart.

The Top 10:  
1 Sankampaeng, Chiang Mai (2014: 3rd)
2 Pai, Mae Hong Son (1)
3 Hin Dad, Khanchanaburi (6)
4 Fang, Chiang Mai (2)
5 Klong Thom, Krabi (4)
6 Rock Valley, Khanchanaburi (8)
7 Wareerak (-)
8 Raksawarin, Ranong (11)
9 Chaeson, Lampang (-)
   Natthawaree, Krabi (5)

I guess it's time to put on clothes and leave Thailand jungle paradise.. Off to Vietnam [rocket] [ramen] [fried_shrimp] [dancer] 

Off the top(s)? Pai's so-called hot spring; there seems to be quite a few hot springs in and around Pai each helping Pai to stay at or at least near the top. Source

Bubbling just outside the Top 10 are Chiang Dao (Chaing Mai), Betong (Yala), Mae Khachan (Chiang Mai), Pong Duet (Chaing Mai) and upcoming Thaweesin (Chiang Rai).

Tasty

Take me back #hotsprings #rainyday #pai #paradise #thailand #naturalbeauty #thailandluxe

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Shy

A photographic slash news update on Siam's soaking opportunities. 

An overview of Bangkok's imitation onsens by toptenbangkok (Mar. 23). Pointers: imported are (in one case) water (from Ranong), salts, concentrate and atmosphere, the former three from Japan ... 

Below an impression from from Kashikiri Soda Onsen and Spa which starts off as follows:

'Too shy for the naked shared baths at regular onsen?'

Oooh lala~~ #Onsen in Bkk [heart_eyes] 

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Coming up later this month (24-26 Sept.) the World Spa and Well-being Convention in Bangkok with it's Hot Spring Forum:

'The organisers of the World Spa and Well-being Convention 2015 are again pleased to work with the Hot Spring industry to help further develop, educate and build the Thai Hot Spring industry'. 

Unfortunately the forum itself will be only in Thai. And by the looks of the contributors also very marketing (and male) orientated ...

Zen

 

บ่อแช่มีประมาณ 15 บ่อ และนี่คือบ่อสุดท้ายที่ฟินที่สุด ห้ามพลาด #hotspring #fishspa #kanchanaburitrip #miszytravel

Rock valley, Kanchanaburi, source. 

Bangkok Post (Aug. 17) had a video on Phu Sang waterfall with this caption: 

'A jewel of an unspoiled national park in Phayao, Phu Sang is one of the only two warm waterfalls so far discovered in Thailand'.

From a not so recent posting on the blog Tasty bits. Flirty wits: 

'Then on to an Lanna Onsen or hot spring to soak in hot sulfuric smelling water'.

Chiang Rai,  could it be a rejuvenated Pha Bong hot spring they are referring too?

A write up on travelfish  (Aug. 3) concerning what I personally would consider arguably one of Thailands best hot springs, Porn Rang, Ranong:

'I’d already been to the better known Rahsawarin hot springs in Ranong town and didn’t expect the Porn Rang springs to be any better, but after arriving I found a far more extensive network of pools of varying temperatures. Unlike those closer to town these hot springs are away from any roads and set in a quiet, tranquil area filled with flowers, trees, foot paths and bridges that collectively lend a Japanese Zen garden feel to the place. Before long, what I thought would be a quick peek had turned in to a two-hour excursion'.

Likes
A strange story. The drought in Thailand has lead to extreme lower levels in lakes which has enabled lower level authorities to research a thermal vent (source). What they discovered: 

'... the thermometer showed the temperature around 38 degrees Celsius and the hot water springs out of about 3000 liters per hour'. 

They are now hoping that higher level authorities will develop a hot spring resort. 

An overview of no less than 18 hot springs in Chiang Mai province. All in Thai, but still very informative (with google translate).

 

[sparkles] バンコク最終日 [sparkles] バンコクから片道3時間程で行ける「ボークルン温泉」へ [hotsprings] 湧出量がたっぷりの天然の温泉はぬるめで長めに入れます [exclamation] ^_^内湯に露天風呂、足湯やタイ式マッサージなど施設充実 [wink] #タイ #ボークルン温泉 #boeklueng #hotspring #バンコクから片道3時間 #天然温泉 #無色透明 #苦味 #onsen #温泉アナリスト #北出恭子 #温泉ソムリエ  

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From GT rider (Jun. 2015) a mention of Sippa hot spring, adjacent to Sankamphaeng and probably using the same waters. Nothing too special.

  

#hotspring#krabi#thailand#spa#hot#healthy#likeforlike#nice#holiday#me#myvacation#relax [relaxed] [blush] [ok_hand] [skin-tone-2] [ok_hand] [skin-tone-2] [ok_hand] [skin-tone-2] 

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Chronicled

Enjoying Thailands hot springs from south to north.

Starting off with little known Kuan Kang hot spring in Trang province:

บ่อน้ำร้อน แช่สบายเลออ แต่ลงแค่ขานะ ร้อนโฮกก #trang #hotspring

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temperatura da água: 35° #hotwaterfall #thailand

North of Trang comes Krabi's Klong Thom, always popular, source

 

只要10銖的野溪溫泉 #kanchanaburi #sylvietraveling #hotspring #taiwaneseinthailand

Hin Dad hot spring, Khanchanaburi, source

 

18+ #onsen #thailand

Or elsewhere in Khanchanaburi, Rock Valley's hot spring, source

Not really a natural hot spring, though it does claim to use natural mineral water, Yunomori Onsen & Spa in Bangkok:

ยามว่าง ถ่ายนู๊ดเล่น 555555555 แอบหมั่นอิคนหลังอะ ที่สวยกว่า #FotoRus #yunomori #onsen #hotspring

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Beauty

Taking a bath in natural hot springs #chaeson #nationalpark #hottub #hotspring #natural #lampang #thailand #travelling #wanderlust #beauty #life #friends

Chaeson (Jason) hot springs, Lampang province, well and truly northern Thailand, source

2. San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

Chiang Mai province, source

And then two from what is fastly becoming a favourite soak for all those luckily enough to end in Mae Hong Son's town of Pai: 

 

Mineral bath 🚿 #hotsprings #36degrees #bath #pai #chroniclesofsiania

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#InstaSize #tochkarazborki #travel #thai #thailand #picoftheday #instagood #instamood #vsco #pai #hotsprings 

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ilovewhatido

 recharge your energy at the free local tub hot spring. birthday travel #chiangdao #travelbug #ilovewhatido #hotspringchiangdoa #hotspring #seabackpacking #birthday #scorpio #october #ilocetravelling #amazinghailand #norththailand #ilovetravelling #life #explore

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Stinky
In all honesty there seems to be little to update to you: rains come, rains go, Governments come, governments go. Basically nothing changes.

Prices go up. And up.  In this case the entry prices to Thailands national parks. Which by the way host to many a natural soak.

If you are an obvious non-Thai then the authorities believe that a 10 fold entrance premium is required to see some of Thailand's natural secrets. 
But this does not mean that whatever national park / natural secret you are visiting is well-managed. Very often they are either overrun or visitor facilities are non-existent.

Now once more there is a new government in place, a military one which is very careful not to suggest tough measures for their peoples: the quick fix is to tax the foreign looking visitor.

Such that the government is now proposing a new fee structure with respective parks being able to charge fluctuating fees: non-transparent. TTR (Oct. 10) lists an overview but I'm pretty unsure what you pay where. What does seem pretty clear: 

'It just stinks of greed and opportunism'.

What's this to do with hot springs? Many a hot spring in Thailand has remained public and become a national park, f.i. the popular hot spring of Pai. It means that visiting a hot spring has become more expensive and one must understand the underlying message: your welcome is only genuine if you are willing to continue to pay ...

More info on the price structure of Thailand's national parks can be found on Waterfalls of Southeast Asia, here and here.

Is the hot spring of Pai your moneys worth? Source:

Tha Pai Hot spring. #hotspring #thailand #pai #relax #picoftheday

Untrained

A short blog entry on trips to Thailand (Nov. 14) on a visit to Surat Thani's Chaiya district. Famed for it's religious temples and sorts it also has a few hot springs. His finds:

'I eventually ventured along a gravel road that lead to a temple on the top of a hill. Just at the foot of the hill, a couple of ponds had been constructed from concrete. But, again, the area and the facilities appeared deserted and unused. The mineral water overflow from the concrete ponds discolored the rocks as it made its way down hill for form a small lake. The rocks looked to my untrained eye somewhat like lava, but was in Thai named Lan Lonk Prachan'.

Trips to Thailand has also recently been (Aug 10) to Samo Thong hot spring, Uthai Thani province. No report on the soaking ...

A hot spring in Tak's, Umphang district (source):

#thailand #hotsprings ️

No cooling down
Bangkok Post (Jul. 25) has some soaking related news:

'Ranong municipality has prohibited people from taking a cool dip in a canal in front of Ranong's mineral hot springs, because a strong current could cost them their life'. 

So only hot springs in the offering here.

A little made visit to Krung Ching hot springs in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Tambralinga (Sep.) stumbles onto these while making his / her way to the waterfall with the same name. The site is a good site for natural secrets of this overlooked southern province.

Tarzan & Jane #thaiSland #day1 #junglegirl #gopro #hero4 #hotsprings #krabi #vscocam

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