HEALTH & BEAUTY

Everyone hopes, of course, to avoid falling ill when travelling, but if problems do arise it is reassuring to know that Thailand can claim state-of-the-art hospitals with the latest technical equipment, internationally trained health-care professionals and, perhaps unique to Thailand, the degree of service that you would more commonly associate with a five-star hotel. Indeed, such is the 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 costs 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 such as 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.

Surrounded by such a rich natural environment, it is not surprising that the Thais of old lived very much in tune with nature (a fact witnessed in the design of traditional Thai houses where there is less of a demarcation between interior and exterior than in western homes). In spite of the rapid spread of modern urban living, the old ways of keeping in harmony with nature have not been entirely lost, and there are many chances to sample traditional practices for health and fitness.

Thai food rightly enjoys wide popularity, but it not only tastes delicious, it is also extremely healthy. Long before health foods became popular in the West, Thai doctors knew the medicinal value of a balanced diet, treating hot climate ailments with cooling foods — anything sweet or bitter such as fruits and roots - while balancing cool weather symptoms with spicy and sour foods.

In addition to enjoying healthy eating, more can be gained from learning about medicinal herbs and other natural health treatments. Notable mong the latter is traditional Thai massage, which is most famously taught at Bangkok's Wat Po but also widely available throughout the country.
Besides massage, a major element of traditional healing are herbal steam baths designed to improve circulation, reduce stress and muscle aches, improve the respiratory system, ease 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 the travel scene.

Offering both ancient Thai healing practices, including yoga and tai chi exercises, reflexology, aromatherapy and western-style spa and beauty reatments, 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 in sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Through meditation the practitioner seeks some degree of detachment
from the material world and draws on inner peace for a sense of well being.

Although it takes dedicated application to perfect mediation techniques, visitors can learn the fundamentals of the practice at several centres in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country. Classes can be undertaken either in temples or in tranquil forest retreats.

A healthy approach to life is, indeed, very much a part of Thailand's travel experience, an experience that can be contemplatively relaxing and onderfully rejuvenating.