Traditional therapeutic elements
The enchanting island atmosphere makes its own contribution to the pleasures of a spa treatment on Koh Samed
- Published: 29/01/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Realtime
Coming home to Thailand every year for the festive season gives me an opportunity to check out promising resort destinations, and this year, I followed the advice of an old school friend to visit Koh Samed, an island off the east coast of Rayong province.
The Sunset massage is designed to stimulate natural energy while you’re immersed in the island’s tranquillity.
In the past, Samed was a weekend getaway for the young crowd and backpackers from Bangkok and nearby provinces. Today, the island is fast becoming a popular destination for overseas visitors due to its natural surroundings, clear sea and white, sandy beaches - and in Samed I was to discover some of the most beautiful beaches I'd ever seen in Thailand.
The island is about 220 kilometres from Bangkok, a two-hour's drive on the good Bang Na-Chon Buri highway to Rayong. From Rayong's Ban Phe pier, there are shuttle boats to take you on the 15-minute sea crossing to the island.
Samed has a range of accommodation to suit all pockets, from five-star resorts to villas, budget bungalows and thatched huts. The Samed Resorts Group is the biggest single operator on the island with six properties - Paradee, Le Vimarn, Ao Prao Resort, Sai Kaew Beach Resort, Samed Club and the latest, Mook Samed, a private fishing village of teak houses built on stilts in Noi Na Bay, a stone's throw from the beach.
Natural, fresh ingredients are used for facial masks.
There are loads of activities for visitors including island-hopping, open-sea kayaking, snorkelling, scuba-diving, parasailing and all the water sports you can think of. The island also boasts a wide variety of restaurants, with tasty local seafood as the highlight. But I found out that the way to fully enjoy Samed was to simply relax on one of the glorious beaches, spoil myself at a spa resort and enjoy the local food while watching the holiday world pass by.
My island spa trek this time was at the small, luxury Paradee resort on a neck of land between the east- and west-facing beaches of secluded Ao Kiew at the southern tip of the island. The location is important as it plays a significant part in the treatment I chose.
Paradee Spa's concept is centred on the age-old Thai therapeutic elements or thad. These are Earth, Water, Wind and Fire, and it is believed that all things possess one or a combination of these four elements. When the thad become unbalanced, ailments occur. Fever and restlessness are believed to indicate an excess of Fire in the body, while chills are symptoms of an imbalance in Water and Wind. To live well and to be in harmony with the one's surrounding, all the elements should function in equilibrium.
A treatment room for couples at Paradee Spa on Koh Samed.
The spa has blended this four-elements concept and the modern science of wellness in all of its treatments, like the Swedish and oil massages, head, shoulder and foot massages, traditional Thai massage, and its signature treatments, Sunrise and Sunset.
The spa also incorporates the four elements in the design of its four double treatment rooms. Each room has its own outdoor bathtub, rain shower and relaxation area. It has also branded its own rose and jasmine-based essential oil for use in the spa.
According to the spa manager, the Sunrise massage on the fine white sand of Ao Kiew Nok is designed to enhance blood circulation, improve the skin texture with a vitamin D rub to strengthen the bones. It involves a foot soak and foot scrub, Thai massage and facial mask, and it's best if it's done in the morning hours.
I decided on the 70-minute Sunset massage, though, as the Sunrise might be a bit too early for night owls like me. The spa manager explained that it is designed to balance the mind and body and also comfort the eyes, and it includes back, head and shoulder massage and finishes with a foot massage.
The outdoor reception where you can relax after the treatment.
My Sunset ritual took place on the fringe of a private cove, Ao Kiew Nai. The massage table stood on a wooden platform strategically positioned between the rocks, with many small candles and torches lighting the setting. By now, the sun's rays had relented and turned into mere ambiance. The sound of the gentle waves lapping against the beach accompanied sky's transformation from gold to violet and navy blue, painting a captivating landscape.
It began with my feet being rinsed and lathered with scented soap and rose petal water. On the massage table in the fresh breeze, my therapist started her work using a combination of oil and traditional Thai massages and utilising a blend of finger, forearm, elbow and hand techniques.
The finger pressure point was applied to the muscles along the spine progressing from the lower back to the nape of the neck. Next, lightly scented oil was poured on and, using her forearm like a rolling pin, my therapist kneaded the back muscles from the hip up to the shoulder. Near the top of the neck, she rolled her arm and used her elbow to deliver a pressure point to the trapezoid muscle. She repeated this several times, causing a sensation of warmth to spread along my skin fanned by the cool sea breeze.
The massage graduated to the arms, the shoulders and the hands. The shoulder joints and the arms were slightly exercised and stretched, and the therapist stimulated the pressure points and massaged the palms of my hands. My legs were accorded the same treatment as the arms and back, and then I was moved into a seated position for the traditional Thai-style scalp massage relieving pressure points on the head.
The Sunset massage is designed to stimulate natural energy while you're immersed in the island's tranquility. The soft, salty scent of the sea at sunset and the sound of the waves replace the floral or herb aromas and pre-recorded music commonly used in enclosed facility. Following the assortment of massage techniques, I felt completely relaxed, serene and satisfied.
The friendly and knowledgeable team of staff and therapists added another layer of luxury to the services at Paradee, and they are surely one of the reasons why visitors return to Samed year after year. Paradee Spa was also received the "Award of Excellent - Destination Spa" - Thailand Tourism Awards 2008 by the TAT.
Paradee Spa at Paradee Resort, Koh Samed, Rayong. Advanced reservation is required. Please call 038-644-283/8, email spa@paradeeresort.com or visit http://www.paradeeresort.com
About the author
- Writer: Pamela Tan
- Position: Writer
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