Unwind ... Chiang Mai is the place to go for body care.Credit: AFP
Outstanding service, expert staff, delightful prices ... Chiang Mai is pamper-central, writes Kristie Kellahan.
LOOK beyond the temples, markets and beaches and there's an irresistible drawcard on offer - pampering, wellness and beauty treatments at low, low prices. I enjoy a temple tour and elephant show as much as the next person. But with more than 25 visits to Thailand stamped in my passport, there's usually one thing on my mind when I touch down in the Land of Smiles: it's time to be pampered.
I love massages, facials and manicure-pedicures. I adore having my hair washed and blow-dried. I can't get enough of foot rubs and ayurvedic detox rituals. Several hours a day spent at the spa still wouldn't be enough for me. I get an extra-special glow when the bill is presented and it's in the single digits of the Australian dollar equivalent.
Tourism Authority of Thailand sources estimate 14 million tourist visits take place a year; and 63 per cent of Australian tourists are repeat visitors. Medical, dental and cosmetic surgery tourism have gained popularity. The lure of nip-and-tuck or Botox procedures undertaken in modern hospitals by overseas-trained doctors, combined with post-medical recovery packages in blissful seaside resorts and chic city hotels, proves tempting to many.
I haven't encountered the Thai surgeon's knife or needle. However, I spend most of my time in the northern city of Chiang Mai, which has an abundance of hairstylists, masseuses, facialists, detox experts, fish spas and cosmetic dentists. The service is outstanding, the facilities top class if you choose the right establishment; the prices, well, they're delightful.
There are hundreds of reputable salons in Chiang Mai - here are some of my favourite places.
Massage
Thai massage has been called yoga for lazy people. All that stretching and working of tight muscles can lead to euphoria and heightened circulation similar to the after-effects of a good yoga session. Traditional Thai massage does not involve oil; many of the fancier spas offer aromatherapy oil massage and warm herbal poultice bodywork in addition to body and foot massage.
Expect to pay 150 baht an hour ($5) for a reliably good massage at any of the basic spas around town and up to 4500 baht at the five-star resorts, of which there are many.
I prefer to go for the happy medium at Let's Relax, in the Chiang Mai Pavilion at the Night Bazaar. It's clean, quiet, airconditioned, a bit fancy and the therapists are consistently well trained. The Dream package is my pick: 90 minutes of foot and hand reflexology and a back and shoulder massage, for 600 baht. (Let's Relax Spa, Chiang Mai Pavilion at the Night Bazaar.)
Crowning glory
Thai women would rather eat their own feet than go out in public with dirty or messy hair. For them, a twice-weekly salon hair wash and blow-dry is the basic standard (expect to pay 90-150 baht).
Hair salons are as ubiquitous as 7-Elevens in Chiang Mai. Places such as Tom Lay Cut and Toni & Guy have several branches and tend to specialise in more complex colour, highlight and perm work, with higher prices to match.
My favourite salon is Fair Cut Hair Design on trendy Nimmanhaemin Road. The top stylist has the face of an angel and the snipping skills of Frederic Fekkai. A terrific style, cut and blow-dry on my shoulder-length hair costs 200 baht, with a thorough wash and head massage included. Splash out and upsize the wash-and-cut package with a L'Oreal creme hair-bath steam treatment and the price jumps to 400 baht. (Fair Cut Hair Design, Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 15.)
Pearly whites
The last time I went to the dentist in Sydney, the jab to my hip pocket hurt more than the drilling in my mouth. It motivated me to book in for a check-up in Chiang Mai, after hearing good reports of state-of-the-art equipment and overseas-trained dentists. I wasn't disappointed.
Prices are significantly below what you'll pay for comparable services in Australia: 600 baht for a thorough clean; 600-900 baht for a filling; 900-1500 baht to remove wisdom teeth; and from 10,000 baht for a crown.
I paid 4000 baht for a custom-moulded whitening kit.
Dentaland, where I went, is hygienic, spotless, the dentists explain the procedures in excellent English and happy gas is available for the nervous. (Dentaland, Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 17.)
Ayurvedic detox
Wouldn't it be great if we all ate the perfect diet, got eight hours of sleep a night, never sweated the small stuff, banned all toxins and meditated daily with the aplomb of a Buddhist master?
Meanwhile, you might consider an annual detox and reboot at the Chiang Mai Ayurvedic Centre.
Clients from as far afield as New York and Paris visit for the purifying treatments, which are said to promote longevity, weight loss, radiant skin and clarity of mind.
The day package is popular at 5750 baht . You won't know yourself after colonic therapy, followed by detox foot spa and steam-box therapy and a Pyro-Energen session (reported to have antiviral benefits). After a healthy organic lunch is provided, you'll move on to the ayurvedic massage, when two practitioners balance your dosha with soothing fragrant oils rubbed into the feet, hands and head.
(Chiang Mai Ayurvedic Centre, Singharat Road.)
Face first
Hugely popular in Japan, the Takashi Tokyo hair/face salons have expanded across Thailand. Takashi's signature facials are addictive: a delicious blend of steaming, cleansing, extracting, massaging and moisturising that leaves the skin looking plumped up and glowing.
Deluxe hour-long treatments are pricey by Chiang Mai standards at 1000 baht , with most customers opting for the half-hour introductory treatment at 299 baht ($10). (Takashi Tokyo, Third Floor, Central Airport Plaza.)
Nailing it
An abundance of nail salons provide manicures and pedicures from 60 baht a pop. By local standards, 200 baht ($7) is a high price but I say it's worth every baht for a visit to Coquette, one of the poshest nail spas in town.
The place is decorated in shabby-chic style with an interior designer's eye, the nail polishes are from OPI and extras such as paraffin wax treatments and decorative nail art make it a treat. (Coquette, Sirimungkarajan Road.)
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