Focusing on relaxation that refreshes both the body and the mind but also soothes the spirit; Thailand contains a large number of spa and massage centers. The term ‘Spa’ derives from the name of a town in Belgium, historically patronized by those seeking a restorative or cure for tiredness or disease, and which name became universally applied in reference to a watering place or mineral bath.

In ancient civilizations, bathing in hot springs and mineral rich waters was a common method of rejuvenation, and the earliest physicians recognized that hydrotherapy - the medical use of water in treating disease - was fundamental to curing an assortment of ailments.

In recent times, the term has broadened its frame of reference and has come to evoke much more. Though spas of the modern world still use historically derived water and steam therapies, many employ other natural and scientific practices and incorporate them into an all-inclusive approach to achieving inner and outer health and beauty. 

In Thailand, the concept of spa blends with the ancient traditions of natural healing through herbal baths, massage, meditation, and the continued pursuit of inner and outer beauty. Before the arrival of modern medicine in Thailand, the temple was the center of learning for all disciplines, including medicine. Monks therefore played the role of doctor and pharmacist, prescribing herbal remedies, steam compresses, massages and other such treatments for the relief of various ailments.

Most major hotels in Thailand also offer traditional Thai massage as part of their health and fitness services, as do natural healing and spa centers where herbal steam bath and sauna treatments are derived from holistic therapies practiced for centuries.