Healthy lifestyle activities

Long-stay in Thailand
Healthy lifestyle activities
Traditional Thai massage
Herbal steam baths & hot springs
Meditation
Yoga
Health spas
Beauty treatments

In recent years there has been an enormous awakening of interest in the ways in which our minds and bodies work in harmony with the universe, especially with regards to traditional medicines, herbal treatments and meditation. Yet in Thailand this has been central to everyday life for centuries. A massage to restore the balance of body and mind, meditation or retreat into a monastery for inner tranquillity, a herbal sauna to cleanse and rejuvenate the body, a diet of fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs for internal cleansing, all these are central to the Thai way of life.

Before the arrival of modern medicine, herbalists filled the role of doctors and pharmacists. Village doctors were monks, since the Buddhist temples were the centres of learning not only about religion but about all the skills needed to survive in rural society.

Thai traditional medicine holds that the body has four elements: wind, water, earth and fire, and that ill health results from an imbalance between them. To remedy an ailment, the village doctor would make a herbal potion or pack for the patient to ingest, rub onto the skin, or add to a steam compress. The blocking of energy lines was also believed to lead to illness or emotional conflicts, and a massage or sauna would be prescribed to unblock the energy paths.

Thailand may well be a modern country with the latest in western medical facilities, but these old traditions are deeply ingrained in the culture and they are used in conjunction with, rather than instead of, the imported techniques and technology. A visitor from overseas therefore sees' the very best of both worlds.

There are so many relaxing and healthy activities visitors can enjoy in Thailand. Some of them have incorporated the precious age-old healing arts that have been passed down from generation to generation, until today. Only practised by experts, these services help visitors gain a harmonious lifestyle during their long-stay holidays in the kingdom.

Day 1: By road to Chachoengsao to pay homage to the revered Luang Pho Sothon Buddha image at Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan. Visit Wat Pho Bangkhla to see the fruit bats living there. After lunch, by road to Prachin Buri for inspection of Phraya Abhaibhubet Hospital's facilities. Dinner and overnight at Prachin Buri.

Day 2: Spent the whole day taking part in the various health programmes or enjoy Thai massage and herbal sauna facilities at Phraya Abhaibhubet Hospital. Dinner and overnight in Prachin Buri.

Day 3: Depart for Sa Kaeo, stopping to buy silk items at Kabin Buri. Lunch at Aranyaprathet on Cambodian border, followed by shopping at Rong Kreua market. On to Nakhon Nayok. Dinner and' overnight at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.

Day 4: Briefing and visit to academy's museum. Enjoy a morning of activities from tower parachute jumps to biking, canoeing and swimming. Lunch at the clubhouse. Depart for Bangkok.