“The number of hot springs known for their healing benefits changes from time to time but not all hot springs possess the properties to help alleviate health ailments. Thailand is blessed to have a remarkable curative hot spring located in Krabi’s Klongtom district. Aside from its properties to treat poor mental health and unfavourable physical conditions, the hot spring is also unique for its naturally sparkling saline water. The Klongtom Salt Hot Spring is considered one of the world’s five best mineral saltwater hot springs, following those previously found in Taiwan, Japan, Italy, and Malaysia.”
The above explanation was given by Dr. Jiroch Sinthawanon, a former senior expert of the Office of Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Public Health, when conducting a research study on hot springs in Thailand. The publication named ‘Safe and Healthy Hot Spring Bath’ was aimed at disseminating knowledge on the accurate use of hot springs, creating a good image where people can fully trust in hot springs’ benefits and safety, and optimising the standard of health tourism in Thailand.
Dr. Jiroch added that, “The temperature and minerals found in the Klongtom Salt Hot Spring are truly outstanding. The seawater seeps into the basement of the hot spring through the rock layers to be filtered twice. As a result, the water unveils only the taste of light salt unlike the strong salty taste of seawater as well as the smell of sulphur.”
The major mineral present is sodium chloride while silica, potassium, and magnesium carbonate also exist in higher amounts compared to other hot springs. These minerals are efficient in stimulating blood circulation, lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation of the joints, treating diabetes and skin diseases, and nourishing the nervous and digestive systems. At present, the alternative medicine industry has begun to rely more on salt hot springs with their rich sources of minerals to enhance the efficiency of modern medicine. With ever more scientific evidence proving the various benefits of salt hot springs, the desire and enthusiasm of physiotherapists and regenerative medicine specialists in introducing new treatment programs for patients with various types of ailments has only accelerated.”
“Regarding treatment, although no empirical research has been done in Thailand, Japan and some other foreign countries have successfully introduced physiotherapy and rehabilitation hospitals that focus on the use of hot springs as the main rehabilitation therapy, together with personalised treatment programs designed for people of different ages and illnesses,” continued Dr. Jiroch.
The broader medical community possesses much academic information and references to support their achievements in rehabilitation care to align with the development of alternative medicine for better treatments. Moreover, Thailand has included hot spring tourism as part of the National Economic Development Plan to promote health tourism, particularly among the elderly. The Public Health Ministry is preparing to establish enhanced tourism standards for locations, improving safety and personnel operations to ensure the highest levels of tourism satisfaction. At the same time, it remains eager to encourage both Thai and foreign tourists to revisit their favourite destinations. The enhanced standards are currently in legal process and expected to be announced soon.”
Mr. Wichai Poolworaluk, President of Woraluk Property PLC., a leading real estate company in Thailand and a major developer of the Klongtom community in Thailand’s Krabi province, shared that the use of salt hot springs in the community was originally integral to the rural way of life and was supported and supervised by authorised government agencies. The belief that salt hot springs could prevent and cure diseases spread by word of mouth. As salt hot springs drew a large number of visitors and became highly popular, it was always the objective of Mr. Wichai to ensure that there is also a significant positive impact on the communities of Klongtom.
“As a real estate leader, we want to transform people’s concerns into happiness backed by our standardised and trusted management. This initially inspired us to work on the development of the Klongtom Heritage project. Situated on a vast area of over 200 rai, the project is expected to make Krabi province a significant health hub. Klongtom Salt Hot Spring is considered a special gift, treasure and heritage that belongs not only to Thai citizens but people all over the world. Therefore, effective operations and management, proper hygiene conditions, and several other related guidelines are required for the project to be in line with the highest global standards.”
“During the first three years, we plan to achieve project planning and tourism zoning, which may vary in the patient zone, dependence zone, non-dependence zone, retirement zone, and pre-retirement zone. We are welcoming potential business investors with expertise in healthcare. We believe they have a strategic vision to help us fulfil the missing pieces of our business jigsaw, making Krabi a new health hub with several fun-filled activities that highly satisfy health lovers from all over the world.”
“In mid-2022, we will announce the establishment of a physical therapy hospital providing a comprehensive range of medical treatment and rehabilitation services for stroke patients. In addition to advanced technology and cutting-edge equipment, our teams of professional doctors, nurses, therapists, and psychologists are ready to provide patients the most excellent medical and health services. This is all supported by the combined knowledge of traditional Thai and Chinese medicines and the outstanding properties of the Klongtom Salt Hot Spring, considered the first and most important piece of the jigsaw that comprises the Klongtom Heritage project.”
Besides leveraging the distinctive properties of saltwater hot springs to boost health, the project has recognised the importance of the Klongtom community by using it to promote and develop people’s quality of life. Local residents will have more job opportunities and a chance to earn a higher income. Meanwhile, the ecosystem and environment will play a vital role in helping the community to grow sustainably. This will enable people of the Klongtom community to improve and reinvent themselves as their quality of life is upgraded from local to national level.
