Soaking in a fragrant tub scattered with orchid flower petals, or stretched out on a massage table as an attentive therapist applies hot compresses, it's a dog's life at a Spa resort in Thailand for stressed-out Bangkok's 4-legged pooches.
While traditional Thai herbal treatments in Thailand's Spa's have long been popular with tourists visiting the kingdom, man's best friend can now enjoy the same pampering treatments at a for canines-only Spa resort in Thailand's capital Bangkok.
"The special selected blend of herbs help to make the dogs unwind with even fierce dogs able to relax here at our Spa," says veteran dog trainer Jare Jansrisuriyawong who conceived the "Thai Dog Resort and Spa" in Bangkok.
"I bred dogs for more than 8-years before noticing that some dogs experienced tension too," he said, adding that the canine Spa therapies are also reputed to cure illnesses like arthritis, skin problems and heart sickness among the 4-legged guests.
At the Spa resort, set on a leafy acre (0.4 hectare) area of land, just on the outskirts Bangkok, dogs with names like Dior and Shogun lap up treatments using an intricate secret blend of special herbs from Thailand, India and China.
After a few lazy laps in the for dogs-only resort pool, the typical canine-customer may take in a massage in the traditional-style pavilion, or bathe in a Balinese wooden tub infused with a mixture of fresh coconut and other aromatherapy oils.
Because of the international clientele of the Spa, the Thai therapists use English to speak softly to their clients during the pampering treatments, which include the application of warm herbal compresses designed to make all the dog's cares slip away.
"This Spa treatment makes dogs feel so relaxed they will often fall asleep during therapy," said Jare, noting that the lemongrass used in the compresses also keeps the dog's skin in peak condition.
Next up for the pampered pup is the application of cold river stones along the back, a Chinese technique designed to treat heart and skin problems and ease nervous tensions.
Following is a "Hot-Sand" treatment, using compresses applied directly to the skin by Thai therapists who carefully part the fur of shaggier clients, this treatment is reputed to ease the aches and pains of older dogs who have trouble walking.
The therapies in this new Thailand Spa resort obviously have a soothing effect, as the majority of dogs on the treatment tables snooze or lie peacefully with not a hint of yapping, snarling or sniffing.
Spa prices range from 650 baht (US$ 17) for a single treatment to 2,200 baht (US$ 56 dollars) for the full works, a 4-hour deluxe extravaganza which includes all the treatments and an elaborate 3-hour hair conditioning.
And it's not just owners of poodles and lap dogs who lash out to this new Bangkok Spa resort, bigger varieties like bulldogs and huge, hairy European Saint-Bernard dogs are also regular visitors to the Spa.
The hundreds of thousands of mangy stray-dogs that daily wander the streets of Thailand's cities and villages, unloved and uncared for, belie the fact that Thailand is a nation of enthusiastic dog lovers.
Jare Jansrisuriyawong says his new Spa resort in Thailand, which opened 3-months ago is the first to offer herbal therapies for dogs, and he plans to expand his concept with more branches in Bangkok to cater to the city's many pampered pups.
