Health & Fitness

One of the most reassuring aspects of Thailand's modern development is the attention paid to health and fitness. Bangkok is now widely recognized for its state-of-the-art- hospitals equipped with the latest technical equipment and staffed by internationally trained health-care professionals. What is more important perhaps unique to Thailand, is the degree of service in hospitals is comparable to that of a five-star hotel. Indeed, such is quality of health care that special packages are now available to allow visitors to take full advantage of the facilities for comprehensive medical check-ups.

Standards are world-class, while cost are far less than those of comparable services in the US or Europe. And it is not just curative medicine and check-ups that are available; facilities for LASIK eye surgery, cosmetic surgery and dental treatment are all excellent.

At the same time as keeping abreast of modern medicine, Thailand also preserves its traditional healing arts and time honoured techniques to ensure physical, mental and spiritual well being in the most natural way. In spite of the rapid spread of modern urban living, the old ways of keeping in harmony with natural have not been entirely lost, and there are many chances to sample traditional practices for health and fitness.

Particularly effective among the latter is traditional Thai massage, which is most famously taught at Bangkok's Wat Pho but is also widely available throughout the country. Besides massage, a major element of traditional healing is the herbal steam bath designed to improve circulation, reduce stress and muscle aches, improve the respiratory system, east allergies and cure skin ailments. Far from declining these age-old practices continue to be followed and in recent years health resorts and spas in Thailand have expanded enormously, adding a new dimension to travel prospect.

Offering both ancient Thai healing practices, including yoga and tai chi exercises, reflexology, aromatherapy and western-style spa and beauty treatments, the facilities range from super luxury establishments at top city and resort hotels to back-to-nature spas in traditional settings, as well as natural hot springs.

The Thais have always known the value of matching bodily fitness with mental health and, largely through the influence of Buddhism, the national religion, meditation plays an important role is sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Through meditation on practitioner seeks some degree of detachment from the material world and draws on inner peace for a sense of well being. Classes in meditation techniques are widely available either in temples or in tranquil forest retreats, with tuition in either Thai or English.