Issue 42
The Thai tourism industry welcomes an innovative entertainment venue where traditional southern dance is enhanced with the latest lighting techniques.
Tourism is an ever-growing sector in Thailand. During the first 10 months of 2015, 24.3 million tourists visited the country, a 24.75% increase compared with the same period in 2014.
From the cool mountains in the north to the beaches in the south, Thailand has many natural and man-made attractions to lure domestic and international tourists alike. In the southern part of the country, Krabi province, known as the gateway to a myriad of beaches and islands, now welcomes PAKA Showpark, an attraction that is the first of its kind in Thailand.
Illumanorah, the entertainment complex’s highlight is a mix of illumination, using colourful LED lights and backlights, and the exquisite traditional southern dance called manorah.
“The Illumanorah performances at PAKA Showpark tell fantasy stories with songs and dances,” says Chatuphol Sittichai, vice chair of PAKA Showpark. “Performances are regularly rotated so visitors have a chance to experience different shows on their visits.”
The idea for building the entertainment complex stems in part from Sittichai’s family real estate business in northeastern Khonkaen province. “PAKA Showpark is a mix of event organiser and real estate businesses,” he says. “I wanted to attract tourists so I started looking for provinces where the number of tourists are high.”
Krabi is the province with the second-highest number of tourists in the south of Thailand, adds Sittichai, which makes it a prime location to build an innovative attraction that blends local culture with exciting technology.
The showpark’s name reflects its strong connection to the local area, with PAKA derived from Pakasai, the original name of the province. All performers are local, and the park’s restaurants are outlets of established eateries in Krabi itself.
Krabi is also booming thanks to direct flights from Scandinavia, China and Hong Kong to its airport. And neighbouring countries, especially Malaysia, are increasingly seeing the appeal of the island destination.
“I expect that visitors to the park will be equally from Scandinavia, China, Malaysia and Thailand,” says Sittichai. “More ASEAN countries are visiting Thailand for short weekend breaks as well.”
Sittichai is promoting the attraction through tour agents, as well as attending roadshows with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
“I think you need to understand your strength and be innovative,” he says. “Being a leader may be hard, but following others is even more difficult. My long-term goal is to establish PAKA Showpark in other provinces to cater to more tourists.”
Sittichai also believes the outlook for Thailand’s tourism industry in 2016 is as bright as ever.
“Tourism in Thailand will continue to grow as the country has abundant resources, amazing food and great people,” he says.
For more information, visit www.pakashowpark.com
Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub
Issue 41
Passionate about training Thai spa therapists to become the world’s best, Centara Hotels and Resorts’ Spa Cenvaree aims to create a memorable stay for guests through its spa treatments.
With over 14,000 spas in Thailand, competition to offer the most unique services is rising. Many spas aim for innovative treatments while others focus on training therapists to the highest standards.
Originally from Australia, Tara Hanrahan is currently the group director of Centara Hotels and Resorts’ spa operations, Spa Cenvaree.
“At first I started out as a therapist,” says Hanrahan, “I studied aromatherapy and massage then moved on to other styles of spa therapies.”
Hanrahan reveals that from her extensive experience working in the Maldives, China and India, the ultimate spa experience comes from training therapists to care for the wellbeing of guests from the heart. She also shares this philosophy with the staff at all branches of Spa Cenvaree.
An innovative designer is putting a spin on traditional plastic mats and transforming them into award-winning objects to make a warm and stylish home.
The Thai furniture market is a fast-developing sector, with new designs and skilled craftsmanship being important factors in the industry’s growth. In 2014, furniture exports were worth 38.5 billion baht.
Doonyapol Srichan explains that his girlfriend and fellow designer Sini Henttonen provided the inspiration for founding Product Design Matters (PDM), when she remarked that the colourful and shiny plastic mats used in Thailand’s homes and temples served the same purpose as carpets and rugs in the West.
“Mats are carpets for hotter climates so I wanted to develop the design for mats,” says Srichan. “We’re the first Thai brand to take the plastic mats and develop them into something new. People tend to think mats are old-fashioned. We’ve solved that problem and we can match the mats with elegant furniture now.”
According to Srichan, his team was determined to change the look and feel of traditional mats. “We spent a year developing the material to become stronger, and we use the motto that our products look good like carpets but are as easy to clean as plastic mats,” he says. “We’ve also woven it to be 30% denser to give it a better feel.”
Coated with a UV inhibitor, the mats can be used both indoors and outdoors. Using recycled plastic to decrease its glossy shine, PDM products are designed to be classic, timeless pieces that can endure the test of time. “I think carpets are the key to creating a warm look for the home,” says Srichan.
The brand has enjoyed success, receiving the DEmark award from Thailand and the Good Design award from Japan, as well as other international recognition. The innovative textile is also stored in textile libraries in Milan and New York, as well as the Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC) in Bangkok.
With exports to Spain, Australia and Japan, PDM has launched other products, such as bags and furniture made from the same woven textile.
Now, Srichan is working on many new projects, as he sees design as being an important cog in his country’s continued development.
“The [design] industry in Thailand has grown a lot,” he says. “The government and the DITP have also been giving the industry more attention. Thai culture is very deep but there needs to be more development of products. Design can be a nation’s weapon and I believe that it can drive the economy forward.”
For more information, visit www.pdmbrand.com
Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub
Each year, Thailand welcomes millions of travellers from all over the world seeking leisure, relaxation and pampering. The spa industry has seen significant growth for several years, as seen in the opening of new world-class spas such as Borisud Pure Spa.
“The spa was inspired by the idea of offering customers a journey into the origins of spa wisdom and timeless serenity,” says Ampa Tiengtrakoonthong, manager of Borisud Pure Spa.
For Tiengtrakoonthong, the well-being of its clients is of the utmost importance with customised treatments tailored to the individual’s mood and condition.
“Our health and body treatment products are made from natural products and free from chemicals, which guarantee the rejuvenation of mind, body and soul,” she says. “The majority of spa products here are made from Thai herbs and ingredients, which our customers really enjoy.”
Opened in 2013 at the Mode Sathorn Hotel, what sets Borisud Pure Spa apart from its competitors is more than its location, just a five-minute walk from the Surasak BTS station.
“We boast modern facilities and the most up-to-date treatments,” says Tiengtrakoonthong.
“We offer infra-red sauna, jacuzzi, steam bath or cold shower and customers can enjoy a wide range of body massages, body scrubs, body wraps and facial treatments.”
Most of the spa’s clients come from Asia, with Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore at the fore. Approximately 45% of clients are staying at the hotel, with 55% of all hotel guests intending to visit the spa for treatment, according to Tiengtrakoonthong.
She believes that the industry as a whole plays a major role in making Thai spas known around the world. “What the Thai spa industry offers is unique in terms of hospitality, a warm welcome and traditional Thai treatments which cannot be found elsewhere,” she says.
Tiengtrakoonthong also believes the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will provide many opportunities for the country’s spa industry.
“The AEC will make travel much easier, which means Thailand will have more visitors,” she says. “This will prompt spas and wellness centres to focus on remaining competitive through the services and products they offer. It’s a win-win situation for both spa operators and customers.”
As for 2016, Borisud Pure spa plans to expand brand awareness and increase exposure throughout Thailand, as well as internationally.
“We will work more closely with online media and offer more deals on the website as we believe these are effective tools for targeting our market,” says Tiengtrakoonthong.
“Simultaneously, we will continue to focus on enhancing our [level of] service and product quality in order to achieve higher customer satisfaction.”
For more information, visit www.modesathorn.com/spa
Words by: Manisa Maini
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