S.P. Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 11/1 Soi 3 Bamrungburi Rd., T. Prasingh, A. Muang., Chiang Mai 50200 Tel. 053 - 814 455-6 Fax. 053 - 814 457 E-mail: guidelin@loxinfo.co.th

	---> MORE Features/Stories: _________________________________ Flowers used as a ceremonial donation The old way of celebrating the Thai New Year The costume of a Sang Long Lanna Musical Instruments In Thailand, small fish are pets since the old days Recapturing the Royal Past through postage stamps Chiang Mai Night Safari Souvenirs Naga collections A Quick Look at Thai Currency Six Thai compound words with ‘Mae’ The Chiang Mai International Food Festival 2011 Accessories provided by Thailand Cycling Alliance Seven things to know about Ligay Seven things for your Songkran Festival Wandering around Gad Mua Lanna’s Talismans The Chiang Mai Winter Fair What's to be found at Nimmanahaemin Art Promenade? Camping & Trekking equipment What we eat instead of meat - The Kaset Protein What’s inside the Tan Kuay Salak basket? Herbal Life The Podology Center Mind Over Matter: Edible insects Boxing Outfits: Check out the what and why of muay Thai Surviving the Heat! Chiang Mai Highlights Close Shave in Chiang Mai HALLOWED GROUND GOLFING WITH THE GHOSTS European Union Film Festival 2009 THAILAND'S SURVIVORS - Wonderful creatures BEYOND THE SEA - Chiang Mai's unseen industries THE ASTONISHING SUCCESS OF BEER LAO THE ANGRY JAO TEE - A true Chiang Mai story Kong Lor Cave: Remarkable Treasure in the Heart of Laos KHAOSAI GALAXY: THAILAND'S GREATEST WORLD CHAMPION The Wild Elephants of Laos Up Close and Personal A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE: Chiang Mai's Sunday Market What on earth do Thai people have to smile about? CHIANG MAI - HUB OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET FANCY A MAGICAL SPELL BY THE SEA? A DANISH HERO IN CHIANG MAI WHITE BOVINE SHINES at Four Seasons Resort Buffalo Camp Why Wai? Why do Thai people wai? 'Monk Chat': Interactive Visiting at Wat Suan Dok Doi Suthep Pui: Chiang Mai's Defining Mountain THE MYSTERIOUS WHITE CHEDI Weird and Wonderful Chiang Rai OF KITES AND KINGS - AND LOTS OF OTHER THINGS TOO Ganesha: God of Art and Remover of Obstacles CHINESE NEW YEAR THE CHIANG MAI WINTER FAIR: Don’t Miss It Five Fantastic Days in Chiang Mai European Union Film Festival 2007 Doing the Mae Sot Loop Firearm Fun in Chiang Mai HERMIT SUTHEP: Founding Spirit of Wat Doi Suthep CHIANG MAI PUB CRAWL II With an Addendum CHIANG MAI WEATHER GOES OFF THE GRAPH - AGAIN!! Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: A Shock and Awe Campaign Chiang Mai Shooting Club and ATV Park The Meditation Retreat THE AMAZING SURVIVAL OF A PRECIOUS TIGER ANGKOR AS IT WAS, ALIVE AND BUSTLING UP TO THE MAE SAI BORDER AND ACROSS TO TACHILEK THE WANDERINGS OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA LUANG PRABANG Dowager Duchess Sitting Pretty Exploring Kong Ta Walking Street ELEPHANTINE Coup for N. Thailand BIKING IN CHIANG MAI Durian - King of Fruits (but a bit of a ponker) Back to Battambang RESURRECTION OF THE CHIANG MAI SIXES TEXTILES WITH A HISTORY THE GENTLE ART OF WALKING THE (CHINESE) YEAR OF THE DOG AHEAD OF US EGGHEADS OF THE NORTH - REJOICE! The 4.p.m. from Chiang Mai to Bangkok Mountain-biking up Steep Doi Pui Close Shave in Chiang Mai A Trip to Nan: In Nature's Embrace The Rice Birds: Folktales from Thailand THE EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL 2005 UP THE PING RIVER with a paddle A Model Weekend at Lisu Lodge It's not full-scale War... it's just Paintball !!! TWO WHEELS UP DOI KHOM RONG The Spa Boom - What's in it for Men? THE LONG JOURNEY HOME Riverine Life in Thailand FINDING THE REAL THAILAND: at the Dalaat Pratu Gom Ang Khang in the rain SWAN LAKE IN CHIANG MAI: The Chiang Mai Ballet Academy THE GYMKHANA CLUB: In the Shade of the Big Tree LISTENING TO THE DEAD: The Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery MOO KHA TA: A NEW WAY OF EATING CRICKET EXPERIMENT BACKPACKING IN VIENTIANE FLYING INTO HISTORY GETTING ABOUT IN CHIANGMAI SUBURBAN WILDLIFE: Nest-building ants DOCTOR WITH A DIFFERENCE THE STREET VENDORS: A story worth dying for AN EARLY MORNING STROLL DECORATING YOUR GARDEN WITH A BUDDHA KHRU BA SRIVICHAI: THE SAINT OF DOI SUTHEP OASIS IN THE CLOUDS: Rejuvenation in a Secret Valley

Shangri-La of Spas

A few days ago, I enjoyed a marvelous afternoon visit to Shangri-la Spa, a recent addition to the Chiang Mai landscape of spa operators.

Conveniently situated on the Huay Kaew Road, it lies just next door to the Holiday Garden Hotel and almost opposite the Chiang Mai Hills Hotel. After parking my car in the spacious parking lot, I walked into the compound where a huge sign announced "Shangri-La Spa".

Upon entering, I seemed to be entering an entirely different world. I was welcomed by the soothing, constant drone of a miniature treadmill in the lovely green garden. A lady served me fresh orange juice while I was checking out the 'menu' for spa treatment, to choose the kind of luxurious relaxation that suited me best.

Within the entire compound, there were 28 private villas (single or double) to choose from. This makes it a good place to be, either alone or with your partner.

I couldn't help noticing pictures of hilltribe masseurs on the tarrif, so I asked Khun Pornthip, the Managing Director, about this. Then I learned that this Shangri-La Spa was the only spa in Chiang Mai that offered true and traditional hilltribe massage. "The Akha and the Long-neck Karen have very intriguing traditions of massage. There's nothing medical about it at all but its therapeutic impact is apparent. Your headache is all gone just 30 minutes into their massage," confirmed Khun Pornthip.

That made it easy for me to choose. In short, in my private parlor I got three hours of the most exotic treatment I've ever experienced, and came out feeling like new.

I hope to return there as soon as my body turns sour again. Perhaps some day you will join me there, at the Shangri-La of Spas.

Shangri-La Spa: 18/1 Huay Kaew Rd., T. Changphuak A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
For reservation, tel: 053 226891-2