ThaiLand Tourist Article: Thailand Spa and Well-being Awards 2012

Eighteen of Thailand’s best products and services in the health and wellness sector scored top honours at the inaugural Thailand Spa and Well-being Awards held on September 20, 2012. Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Suraphon Svetasreni hailed the awards for “recognising the outstanding contribution organisations and individuals make to their profession whilst further promoting Thai spa industry standards, creativity and innovation.”

Big winners included the Banyan Tree line of spas based in Phuket, Samui and Bangkok taking four of the top honors – Innovative Spa Treatment, Spa Product, Amazing Hotel Spa and Amazing Resort Spa. The Hua Hin-based spa, Chiva-Som also won the three awards for innovative Spa Cuisine, Environmental Conscience and Spa Educator. The most prestigious award – The Hall of Fame award – was presented to a lifelong advocate of the Thai spa industry, Mrs Naphalai Areesorn, founder and the first president of the Thai Spa Association, and presently the Editor-in-Chief of Thailand Tatler.

All winners were voted by event exhibitors at the Thai Spa Convention, spa operators, consumers and the Thai Spa Association Board. To ensure voting transparency, all votes were tallied by KPMG Thailand. (See full list of the winners below). It has been exactly 20 years ago since the opening of Chiva-Som, Thailand’s first dedicated spa, health and wellness centre. Since then, the industry has come a long way and diversified into one of the most lucrative niche-market components of the Thai tourism industry.

LIST OF THE WINNERS

AWARDS CATEGORIES – EXHIBITION

BEST BOOTH DESIGN
Valonika

AWARDS CATEGORIES – INDUSTRY

INNOVATIVE SPA CUISINE
Chiva-Som International Health Resort – Hua Hin

INNOVATIVE SPA TREATMENT
Rainforest Indulgence
Rainforest Indulgence – Banyan Tree Spa Samui

INNOVATIVE SPA MENU
Angsana Spa Laguna Phuket

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIENCE
Chiva-Som International Health Resort – Hua Hin

NATURAL PRODUCT
Parutee – Oriental Beauty Charm Co., Ltd.

ORGANIC PRODUCT
SpaRitual – Nail Techniques International Co., Ltd.

CREATIVE SPA DESIGN
COQOON Spa – Indigo Pearl Phuket

SPA PRODUCT
I Plus Q – I Plus Q Co., Ltd.