Gap

ape_friedl 

I'd like a piece of that Pai! #thetowniscalledpai #ithashotsprings

They don't come much better than the hot springs of Pai (above), Chiang Mai province. 

A decidedly laid back area, it's lush valley is surrounded by nature's bounty and a pluralistic culture. Firmly established on the backpack trail, there's little negative to mention. Recent headlines focus on the town's river being a backdrop to a mid-day skinny dip, so go figure.

Elsewhere in the province, an experience (by theBlond Travels) at the Pongkwao hot springs:

'On our way we saw very old and worn out signs to the Samoeng Hot Springs. A few times the name changed to Pong Kwao Hot Springs as if someone couldn’t decide how to call it. We decided to check it out. At one point the asphalt road turned into a dirt road with no buildings in sight. Finally, we got to the end of the route where we found some fancy looking bungalows and the entrance to the Pong Kwao Hot Springs.

...

As it turned out, for 150 Baht you could have your own private hut, where you could spend as much time as you wished.

We picked one with a sign ’empty’ on its door and went it. We were tempted to just go into the water naked, but there was a big gap between the ground and the wall through which people from the nearby bungalows could see us, so we changed into the clothes we had been given.

...

it was a great experience and one that I can recommend to anyone'.

Doi Saket hot spring (also located in Chiang Mai province) has a peculiar tradition, though very Thai: bamboo shoots are boiled here in the springs. manager.co: 

'There are also people in the area. "Ban Pong Samakkee hot springs" boiled bamboo shoots for a substantial income throughout the season, by Mr. Anon Tainin, 51, Banpong Samakkee, Pa Mian, Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, said that each day he would collect bamboo shoots from the nearby forest. Villages and forests in Mae On District, Chiang Mai, were purchased from local villagers at 12 baht per kilogram. This hot water was boiled for about 12 hours before being sold. the And the city Including selling to tourists 25 baht per kilogram. 
Mr. Anon said Boiled bamboo shoots from the hot springs are fragrant. The taste is much better than the boiled bamboo with hot water. It is not enough to make good sales. Some days sold out at 100 kilos in less than 20 minutes. 
Mr. Anon said: The bamboo shoots are boiled in the hot spring of Ban Pong Samakkee. The cost to the community is 20 baht per bag to maintain the management of the community. Each sack of about 40 kilograms can generate income after deducting expenses over a period of 3 months is not less than one hundred thousand baht, this year bamboo shoots are still expensive. From the original sales of 20 baht per kilogram of this year sold 25 baht per kilogram'.

Tranquilo

trouxedela 

✈ Helder examinava e reexaminava o mapa em suas mãos, um tanto apreensivo. Tornou a indagar à recepcionista do hotel a mesma pergunta que havia feito à locadora da scooter, à garçonete do restaurante e a qualquer tailandês que encontrava na rua: "to Hotsprings, scooter OK?". Apontava o dedo para onde queria ir e esperava, mais na feição que produziria em seu interlocutor do que na frase que escutaria, uma resposta se sua façanha seria absurda ou não. Até aquele momento, ninguém havia enrugado o rosto ou esbugalhado os olhos em excesso, reprovando a idéia.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Depois de coletar toda a informação que precisava quanto à segurança do trajeto, me garantiu: "vumbora que dá pra ir!". Na manhã do dia seguinte, na praia de Ao Nang, subi na garupa da motoneta 🛵, botei o capacete rosa e abracei seu corpo: começávamos nosso trajeto de 80km para as Piscinas Termais de Khlong Thom, em Krabi, na Tailândia.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Na estrada, o meu medo se dissipou por completo quando vi que todo o acostamento era exclusivo para motociclistas e ciclistas. Afastados dos carros, dei um grito de alegria e falei "ACELERA POHA", mas sempre que alcançava os 50km/h, eu perguntava se ele queria nos matar e ordenava que reduzisse a velocidade.⠀⠀⠀⠀Demoramos tanto para chegar em nosso destino que encontramos a selva vazia; os turistas que abarrotavam as excursões matinais já regressavam para a cidade. Helder avançou com cuidado nas banheiras naturais da cachoeira Namtok Ron e sentiu o fervor das águas a 40°C. Debruçou-se na mais linda sacada e dali apreciou a tranquilidade de uma floresta silenciosa.⠀⠀⠀⠀

Less uplifting news, there's a hint of a need to upgrade everything including the above, the already very popular hot spring of Klong Thom, Krabi province (photo above). Thaivisa (Apr. 11):

'The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports have recently held a discussion on approaches to promote two of the Kingdom's hot springs as new international tourist destinations. 

The discussion was part of a meeting between committee members on developing Thailand as a hub for health and wellness. The meeting was attended by Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanawarangkul and other relevant government officials.

According to the minister, the Ministry of Public Health has verified that a hot spring in Chae Sorn National Park in Lampang and Khlong Thom hot spring in Krabi province are safe for bathing. She is hoping that the two hot springs would eventually gain international recognition the same way as Japanese hot springs, which are known as "onsens."

The minister will instruct the Department of Tourism to conduct feasibility studies on development directions, adding that specific details of the project will be discussed with local government agencies directly responsible for the hot springs.

She is of the opinion that the tourist sites must at least have shopping venues, enough parking spaces, and enough public toilets, in order to add values to the tourist experience and ensure a fair income distribution among members of the communities'.

Banmuang has a Thai language article (Jun. 3) on the near Klong Thom located Saline hot springs of Krabi province. Once translated by google, there's not much to add:

'With more than 10 wells completed, more tourists are arriving. Especially during the holidays. There are over 1000 tourists per day'.

samspicerphoto

Natural Hot Springs paradise #amazingthailand #phangnga #thailand_ig #onsen #hotspring #khaolak

samspicerphoto

 Hot Spring paradise in Thailand - still hidden away from mass tourism #hiddengem #thailand🇹🇭 #tropicalvibes #khaolak #hotspring #thaistyle #onsen

Staying in the neighbourhood, Aladynamedfern (Nov. 2016) seeks out rural hot springs in the southern  province of Phang Nga. 

An expansive blog entry for 2 hot springs, the natural one as pictured above (and note: manager.co mentions that this place is seen by authorities as a great place to develop ...) and the more organised (though still a bit rustic) one by the name of Rommanee hot spring:

Wrapping up this posting is a photo of the little known hot springs of Krungshing (or Krungching) also located in the southern Thailand, notably the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

  pumpkin_pj 

Hot spring bathing #hotspring #hotspringbath #nakhonsithammarat #krungching #noppitam #nature #backtonature

Free

From south to north, here are just some slides of the variety of soaks of Siam ...! 

พักไม่ทันหายเหนื่อย ปิดเทอมงานเยอะกว่าเปิดเทอมคูณสอง หยุดยาวๆบ้างได้ม้ายยย #relax #wareerak #wareeraksa #onsen #krabi #hotspring #spa #thaimassage #hotspringkrabi #forest #thialandonly #tradition 

source

From Krabi we head a little north to what I believe is Rommannee hot spring, Phang Nga province, wedged between Khao sok and the coast:

Kanya Manoppong: 

Hot spring

source

#hotspring #stairs #stairway #suanmokkh #suanmokkhinternational #chaiya #suratthani #green #grass #tree #souththailand #relax #myhometown #thailand_allshots #photooftheday #amazingthailand

source

Leaving  the south behind us we continue via Khanchanaburi (first photo below) to the hot spring haven of Chiang Mai.

This time last year we befriended a dear taxi man, witnessed a very questionable 'vegetable' deal and were mobbed by Thai people calling us superstars and taking our pictures as we were roasted in the hot springs #tbt #superstars #hotsprings #bathfriends

source

Hot spring in Chiang Dao ️ it's made by Japanese :) #hot_spring #hotspring #onsen #nature #mountain #chiangdao #chiang_dao #thailand #trip #travel #traveling #travelgram #worlderlust #worldingram 

source

Samoeng, Chiang Mai, Pong Kwao hot spring. Source

[Lady in the Water] #hotsprings #Pai #Thailand #mermaid #adventure #Iamfree

source

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

What would you do with a couple of million?

Recipe for Success
One of the few really developed hot spring resorts in Southeast Asia goes by the name of Hotspring Beach Resort & Spa. Located in Phang Nga province just half an hour north of Phuket airport, Southern Thailand, one would expect that this professionally run resort (***** stars it claims) to be a grand success:

• Spa and wellness are increasingly popular tourist destinations,
• Phuket airport is serviced from major destinations in the region as well as a selected few outside the region,
• the area is slowly becoming a popular alternative for Phuket itself, especially with the largely undisturbed back country and
• the fact that it's more than evident that considerable funding had been poured in to ensure a success.

But is it?

The Answer
Coming from the north, the obvious grand entrance is passed, as the resort sign is aimed for northbound traffic (coming from the airport). After a couple of minutes I turned around and this time went into the grand entrance with an absurd large driveway. That said, shaded parking space is at a premium.
But eventually after finding a spot and I'm looking around what to do, the (under-employed?) receptionist is already underway to see if I'm really going to be a client. I'm informed that the entrance to the bathing facilities is 500 Baht (about $15) which includes a free drink / snack and a towel. Not too bad. They even have locker rooms, but as I'm getting older I'm getting better at the towel changing thing.

From the reception one crosses the main free form swimming pool. At the end of this pool are two large, circular pools, to the left the warm pool, to the right the hot pool. Both pools seem slightly under maintained, but a sip of water reveals that the springs water is laden with minerals. Or sea water? The day is hot so maybe the hot pool is worth skipping, though the warm pool is too tepid. The swimming pool looks great, unfortunately it's heavily chlorinated.

Not many other guests / visitors are lounging about. The whole afternoon doesn't reveal many others. It's Phuket's main tourist season, so where are the guests?

I order my drink and snack, service is not too bad. Read a little, bath a little.

Seeing, it's a hot spring beach resort, I go in search of the beach. I'm already forewarned not to swim as it's too dangerous. Actually the resort is located on a lagoon entrance to the sea, so you'll have a lot of current. They have built a long pier which also holds a non-functioning restaurant, but as the tide is out I can take the steps to the sand below and continue for another 300 meters to the windswept and empty beach.

It's a long walk back and I'm in need of a drink. Nothing better than some tea. Deliriously I'm replied with 'we don't do that'. Fair enough. I won't disturb the staff anymore, take another soak and leave.

The swimming pool.

Their opinion
The Hotspring Beach resort and Spa expand both on their web site as well as in a brochure. They refer to their resort being:

'The one and only natural mineral hotspring beach resort and Spa in Thailand',

though the website mixes the one and only up to make it:

'The only and one natural ...'.

Concerning the hot spring:

'The hot spring source was found in this piece of land about 40 years ago. The water was originally sprung out about 3.5 m above the ground. However, due to the land development, a concrete wall was made to cover the spring which reduces its height to 1-1.5 m at the present day.

Out natural hot spring mineral water has many health benefits, such as:

• cleanses and beautifies your skin
• eases and soothes tired or aching muscles and joints
• eases tension and de-stress with the comfortable water temperature (approx. 45 °C)
• provides more effective massage by deep heating the muscles prior to your treatment

Furthermore, the elements dissolve in the water are thought to have therapeutic value, for instance:

• Calcium is vital for bone structures and aiding in the function of muscular tissues.
• Iron enables red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body, which is vital for the formation of the hemoglobin'.

Bare breasted fountain.

More Info
It comes as a surprise that there is hardly any info about the hot springs pre-resort. Wikitravel ignores the resort name and refers to the hot spring being Ban Bo Dan:

'The water of the natural hot springs are laden with minerals such as sodium and calcium, which are believed to relieve rheumatism, numbness, and help lessen the tension of both body and mind, as well as being beneficial to your complexion and hair. Mineral baths are available daily'.

Ban Bo Dan is possibly the former name, before the resort was built. The resort also seems to have been under management of Dusit Hotels. At least this site mentions the hotel as Dusit Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa, though Dusit fails to mention this in their business history.
This site reveals more history:

'In March 2002 the luxury Hotspring Beach Resort & Spa has been build',

while also maintaining the sentence 40 years before, so now more like 50 years ago. Others put the date of construction in 2004. 

 

Interestingly, Phuketdrive.com adds a picture of the original spring which he says can be visited separately as of early 2012.


 More Opinions
As it's a overnight stayable resort, there are a quite a few reviews of guests' stays from accommodating sites. In general they are widely differing in experiences. But it seems it's all about the expectations you have:

• Yes, the resort is very big and spacious, as are the rooms.
• However there are no nearby facilities (including beach) meaning that you are totally dependent on what the hotel offers.

And that's where it the main problems seem to be.

Elsewhere some note that the facilities themselves are outdated (2007), lack of maintenance (2009), facilities getting old (2009). I would have to agree. At the edges Figurativly, the resort was becoming ragged and tattered. The pier for instance looked decidedly unused, piles of used towels were left for hours at a stretch, leaves were not cleared out of the pool, the communal toilet was dirty.

Though most visitors like the hot spring pools themselves. That said it comes as a surprise (as this is the only hot spring resort in Southern Thailand) that he hot springs are just mentioned as one of the many facilities: i.e. no wifi, beach too far away, airport transfer too expensive but good hot spring pool, staff a bit slow, towels too thick.

Who's the odd one out? (a.: there are two!) Source: KrAtAi

Getting there: From Phuket island head north to Khok Kloi village (8 kilometers), take a left for Natai and then 1 kilometer down this road head north again for 2 kilometers and you are there. Signage is good.

Soaking experience: With the hot springs being the focus of this multi-million investment one can certainly expect the soaking facilities to be good. They were. Though nowhere was the experience any superior than some of the other better hot springs in Thailand. If anything the artificial surroundings render it less pleasing ....

Overall impression: I'm still not fully convinced that such sprawling expanses are a boon for soaking.The resort is expansive but also deserted. What I find weird is that they do everything to make it green, but they could have also maintained a lot of the original mangrove forest. The spa could have added to the experience. I was oblivious to this and with staff being at best indifferent one does not leave with a very good impression.


More photo's from Stephen and Kate.

Bob up

Off the trail
Despite it's presence to the nearby tourist center of Phuket (and Khao Lak), Kapong hot spring seems to be well off the tourist trail. That said the lazy environs of Kapong are altogether located in what one would suspect another world, one without tourists.

The main hot spring area. Sandbagged and ready for a soak.
The spring itself is located at the start of the pond.

Kapong
Kapong (or Ka-pong) hot spring is otherwise known (probably locally) as Plai Phu. Located in the district of Kapong in Phang Nga province, in the south of the country it's just a 2 hour drive from the hub of Phuket's hot tourist spot (Patong) or just 1 hour from Khao Lak. The town itself seems very laid back and for a district head quarter not much seems to be going on. Economic activity revolve around rubber planting with evidence of recent palm oil plantations slowly attributing to local economic significance. Furthermore, mostly small villages located between quite heavily forested mountains.

The parking area with a market stall. Some other housing (unused) behind.

The Site
There is quite a bit of parking space on gravel belong side the Le stream. Behind between the trees there are a number of bungalows and other structures which seem unused. Downstream one sees (a now cut off from the main stream) side channel with some huts and a number of port-a-loos besides. The side channel has been blocked with a dozen or so sand bags creating a half meter deep pool which is warmish. Go to the far end of the channel and the water is definitely hot. Nearby in the main stream, are a number of springs in the river bed which are hot and the main stream itself heats up.

Merge between the hot stream (left) and the main cold stream (right).

Desert?
A great place to soak up the heat especially now while the weather is cooler. But alas the main area is totally devoid of trees so during the day having a soak without getting a heat stroke is not possible so it seems. Possibly that's why the place is so deserted. What I like is that though enhanced one can see that the site has remained mostly natural. I can also imagine that come sun down this is a great place to hang out and around.

Out There
From the internet one does not become more knowledge, so it seems.

• This site mentions water temperatures of 65 degrees Celsius.

• A foreigner (presumably English: the_wibblywobblies notes a word of caution:

  'On departure we stopped off at a Hot Spring near Kapong. Our 5 year old inadvertently stepped into the small pool of extremely hot natural mineral water and suffered 2nd degree burns to her feet. We are planning to have a warning sign erected there but in the meantime please be careful'.

  There's no danger sign and there were some certainly very hot pools. If this were somewhere else in the western world there would be big fences around it and no bathing facilities at all.

• Wikitravel's otherwise excellent Thailand entries fails to note the existence of the hot springs in Kapong (as laid down on the Phang Nga provincial page) though does mention the surrounding waterfalls.

• Finally PhangNgacity.org though is more explanatory:

  'Some of the hot springs spring up in a very cold stream that flows from the mountain. It is marked by arranged-cobble stones. On the level besides the stream there are concrete wells 2 meters high, with steps up and down 3-4 wells connecting altogether, in the area of 200 square meters to contain hot spring water that bobbed up. Nowadays (2007) these hot spring have lower bob ups, which may be caused by changes underground'.

  The site also has some (better?) photo's. That includes a picture of stone structures which just might have been some soaking facilities in the past.

Did I mention forested hills?
Well opposite the soak site they are doing their best to correct this impression.

Getting there: The hot springs are just 8 km out of town. Once past the district offices heading north one needs to take the first right towards Nai Le village. The good roads continues for roughly 4 km, when this time a well signposted turn heads to another right and up the valley the road continues onward until a sudden halt as one drives into a teak forest. The unpaved track continues for another 500m and one has arrived at Kapong hot spring.

Soaking experience: Natural and alternate use of cold water are a plus. Pity the water levels are not deeper, but a superior experience. Come morning early or during sun down.

Overall impression: The place is well worth a soak if a mid day visit can be avoided. Though evidence of use widespread it'sd by no means trashed. A place to get to know.

Lots of smaller springs around the river bed.

The main spring.

The main pond with the port-a-loo's and market stalls.