Dr Ruj Rojjanasrirat, managing director of Chiroma, which operates the Chiroma Clinic in Bangkok, said Contour had approached him about four months ago, seeking a stake in the company.

Established in 1999, Contour Health, an operator of chiropractic care centres in the Asia-Pacific Region, is run by CEO Paul Ting, an Australian-Malaysian businessman. The firm operates over 10 branches in Asia and the Pacific, including Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Chiroma Co Ltd was established in January last year with a registered capital of less than Bt10 million. Ruj holds a 65-per-cent majority stake and movie star Phatrapol (Paul) Silpajarn holds 15 per cent, with the remainder held by two of Ruj's friends.

Since striking the deal, Ruj has increased Chiroma's paid-up capital. However, he declined to give any more details on the sale.

"Contour Health finally holds a 40-per-cent stake in Chiroma," said Ruj, adding that his and his partners' stakes have been reduced to a combined 60 per cent.

Ruj said Chiroma had now changed its name to Contour Health Co Ltd and that he had taken the title of regional director for the company. He said he would oversee Contour Health's branches in Thailand as well as its new branches to be opened in Vietnam and Dubai.

Currently, Chiroma Clinic has a register of 7,000 to 8,000 patients. Ruj said this figure included patients from two former clinics that he closed when he opened Chiroma.

Chiroma Clinic presents itself as offering a mix of three treatments: physical therapy, medical treatment and chiropractic treatment. Ruj said patients were assessed to decide which blend of treatments would be most effective for them.

Treatment at the clinic costs an average of Bt1,000 to Bt1,500 per session, with most patients spending between Bt20,000 and Bt30,000 in total.

Ruj said Contour Health would improve on his clinic's services as Contour has experience in curing scoliosis.

"I like their treatment concept that provides patients with a rehabilitation programme," said Ruj.

Initially, Contour Health plans to open four to five clinics in Bangkok next year before expanding to other large cities around the country such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Each clinic needs an initial investment of Bt7 million to Bt8 million and will employ six to seven staff.

Ruj said it is hoped that each clinic could achieve an annual turnover of US$1 million (Bt37.5 million).

Sasithorn Ongdee

The Nation