The company paid Bt300 million for a 40-rai property in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district on which to develop a spa and resort.

Managing director Wandee Saisorn said 15 spa villas had just had a soft opening, with a grand opening scheduled for next March.

The 18-room resort will be finished at the end of next year.

She said the spa would focus on the high-end market, both locally and abroad. A projected 80 per cent of guests will be foreigners and the rest Thai.

"We plan to be the top spa operator in Chiang Mai, with a full range of services," said Wandee.

In terms of international markets, the company is targeting Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Western countries. It expects to earn Bt50 million in revenues in the first year of operation.

Wandee said there were three luxury spas operating in Chiang Mai: the Four Seasons Hotel, the Dhara Dhevi Oriental Hotel and Oasis Spa.

"We will compete directly with these operators," said Wandee.

The company plans to use travel agents to attract foreign visitors, in line with setting up market representative offices in all potential countries.

For the domestic market, the firm has introduced prepaid member cards - Silver, Gold and Platinum - costing Bt 10,000 to Bt200,000 with discount rates of 10-30 per cent.

The spa expects 100 members in the first year of operation.

Wandee added that the firm intended to establish more branches in Pattaya and some of the islands. It also plans to develop Palm Spa into a medical spa.

The company was established by two families: Bangkok property operator Veeradet and Wandee Saisorn and beauty franchisee owner Monchai and Preeya Jirakiatvadhana.

It is the first time the two families have ventured into the health business.

Suchat Sritama

 The Nation