Thailand Special Interests - Natural Healing and Buddhist Meditation

Matching body and mind to create a healthy equilibrium is a common task for Thais. This task is achieved through the practice of Buddhism, which features meditation and its important role in sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Visitors can learn the fundamentals of meditation at several centres around Bangkok and elsewhere.

Some of the main meditation centres include: Suan Mok, a 120-acre forest temple in Amphoe Chaiya at Surat Thani province, some 600 kilometres south of Bangkok. This centre attracts meditators from all over the world.

Meditation centres in Bangkok include Wat Mahathat (facing Sanam Luang), Wat Paknam, Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit, and Wat Bowon Niwet (in Banglamphu), in which instruction is given in English. The Northern Insight Meditation Centre at Wat Ram Poeng (Tapotharam) is located at Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Mueang in Chiang Mai Tel./Fax: 66 5327 8620. This is one of the most well-known meditation centres among tourists that have English-speaking instructors and volunteers.

The centre offers a 26-day course in Vippassana (insight) meditation. If visitors cannot stay for the duration, a few days’ study can be arranged, but beginners are advised to allow themselves five days to adjust to the practice.

Instruction begins with an opening ceremony, in which visitors pledge to follow the Eight Buddhist Precepts, which include only two meals a day. They are then given instruction and required to go to daily report sessions and personal meetings with a teacher to discuss their progress and receive further instruction.

Foreign nationals are required to complete an application form and present a valid passport and visa for admission. All visitors must wear white. Proper clothing can be purchased at the temple’s store. Meals and accommodation are provided at no charge. Donations are accepted but not required.

In Thai massage, the masseuse concentrates on pressure points across the body where an abundance of energy has built up.

Thailand is fast becoming the “ health holiday ” capital of the world. Some of the world’s finest spas are found in Thailand. Built in serene settings, often in lush gardens, wild jungles or by the seaside, Thailand’s spas are rewriting the book on holistic philosophy. Treatments range from ancient Eastern healing and relaxation techniques to European rejuvenation therapies. Several leading hotels and resorts dedicated solely to healthy rejuvenation are located in Hua Hin, Phuket and Ko Samui. Many smaller-scale facilities are found in all major cities across the country. While the up-scale resorts offer health and relaxation programmes that last for over a week, it is easy to drop in to a shop and get a foot massage, hand massage, neck and shoulder massage or facials and skin treatments for under 400 Baht.

Thai massage is more a healing art than one of relaxation, as is found with Western or Swedish style massage. In Thai massage, the masseuse concentrates on pressure points across the body where an abundance of energy has built up. Releasing this energy and evenly distributing it across the body to create a balance is the basis of Thai massage. Courses are taught principally at Bangkok’s Wat Pho, home of traditional Thai massage and where most of the city’s masseurs are trained. Thai massage is also offered in Wat Mahathat and Wat Parinayok, both in Bangkok. There are many traditional Thai massage parlours across the country where one can receive many kinds of traditional massage, including oil, foot, hand and head massages.