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GLOBAL SPEAK 80 DAYSPA | AUGUST 2014 has been completely rebuilt after the ex- tensive damage infl icted by the 2004 tsu- nami. The island of Koh Samui has been growing in popularity as an alternative getaway, and now offers a selection of spas, along with the acclaimed wellness resort Kamalaya (kamalaya.com). In the north of Thailand, many tour- ists fl ock to the city of Chiang Mai and its neighbor, Chiang Rai. The north features cooler tem- peratures and varied cuisine, and many Thais here speak a different dialect. With its 700- plus years' history, Chiang Mai is home to some 200 temples, and after a long day of sight- seeing you can relax at some very nice spas. Thai day spa brand Oasis Spa (oasisspa.net) has a location here, with treatments performed in private villas connected by wooden walkways sur- rounded by water and tropical plants. For a more immersive spa experience, travelers can venture 15 minutes out of Chiang Mai to the Dhara Dhevi (dhara dhevi.com) resort, formerly a Mandarin Ori- ental hotel. The resort is built to look like a Lanna village, and boasts a 30,000-square- foot, 25-treatment-room spa and wellness center, with an extensive menu. The world-renowned Chiva-Som Inter- national Health Resort (chivasom.com), in operation for 15 years in the beach re- sort town of Hua Hin, was the fi rst Asian destination spa, offering 70 spa treat- ment rooms, pools, fi tness facilities and medical spa sprawled over seven acres. Its high staff-to-guest ratio, top-notch pro- fessionals and array of wellness options have won the resort many awards. With so much to offer, Thai spas are indeed a rich experience, providing great service, top-notch décor, peaceful ambi- ance, reasonable prices and a pampering environment. "There is already a strong presence of Thai spas in ASEAN states, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and even Vietnam, but with a diverse product offering and service standard that everyone seems to want to emulate, Thai spas will continue to strengthen and grow their overall market share at least for the next three to fi ve years," says Jacka. "With some neighboring countries already seeking to take over the king- dom's leading regional industry role, the element of service will maintain Thai- land's market position." Lisa Starr (lstarr@wynnebusiness.com) is a business consultant for Wynne Business and a spa management trainer/educator. PHOTO COURTESY CHIVA-SOM Watsu massage is a popular treatment at Chiva-Som. dayspamagazine.com/freeinfo • Use FreeInfo #38