Competitive Technologies, Inc. (NYSE Amex:CTT) announced today that its Geneva, Switzerland-based distributor, Life Episteme SARL, has established a joint venture, Life Episteme Italia srl, with Florence, Italy-based Hospital Consulting SpA, to distribute CTT's pain therapy medical device, Calmare(R) Therapy Treatment throughout Italy.
"Life Episteme is eager to embark on this joint venture with Hospital Consulting,
which is well known in the Italian healthcare sector," said Life Episteme co-founder
Dr. Domenico Pecorini. "This agreement with Hospital Consulting finalizes the first
of several regional joint ventures we have in negotiation as part of our strategy
for distributing CTT's innovative Calmare(R) Therapy Treatment in the global
marketplace."
"Hospital Consulting has the infrastructure in place, and has extensive experience working with healthcare providers throughout Italy," said John B. Nano, CTT's Chairman, President and CEO. "We're pleased to have them join the distribution team for our Calmare(R) Therapy Treatment, which has already successfully treated more than 3,000 patients in Europe and the U.S.
"Pain treatment is moving to the forefront of medical care, globally. In Italy,
Europe's largest university, La Sapienza of Rome, will prominently feature our
Calmare(R) Therapy Treatment at its newly-established medical school dedicated to
the treatment of pain. Hospital Consulting's recognition of important trends in
healthcare confirms our belief that the ability to help patients with debilitating
pain by using our non-invasive pain therapy treatment device is an attractive
alternative for physicians who may be reluctant to prescribe powerful, addictive
narcotics that have been linked to harmful, potentially fatal, adverse side effects.
"Recently, the University of Chicago Medical Center announced that, '... a growing body of evidence is showing that opiate-based painkillers can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer cells.' This makes the rapid introduction of our Calmare(R) Therapy Treatment into the global healthcare marketplace even more compelling. In
fact, similar to the Hippocratic Oath, a fundamental principle taught to all medical
students is 'Primum Non Nocere,' meaning, 'First, do no harm.'"
The Calmare(R) Therapy Treatment is a prime example of CTT's strategy to connect
clinical science to patient care. Developed in Italy by CTT's client, Professor
Giuseppe Marineo, the device was brought to CTT through the efforts of the Zangani
Investor Community(TM) and with the cooperation of Mr. Guiseppe Belcastro, Legal
Counsel for Professor Marineo. The device, with a biophysical rather than a
biochemical approach, uses a multi-processor able to simultaneously treat multiple
pain areas by applying surface electrodes to the skin. CTT has exclusive worldwide
rights to the Calmare(R) Therapy Treatment which has U.S. FDA acceptance and Medical
Device CE Mark certification from the E.U. allowing sales throughout the U.S.,
Europe and several other countries. CTT partner, GEOMC Co., Ltd. of Korea, is
producing the device commercially for worldwide distribution. Several distribution
agreements, including the one with Life Episteme, are in place covering 45 countries
around the world, accounting for nearly 55% of the world's population. For more information on the device, visit www.CalmareTT.com.
About Hospital Consulting, SpA
Based in Florence, Italy, Hospital Consulting SpA provides advisory, management and organizational services to the healthcare and environment sectors. Hospital
Consulting provides hospitals and other health care providers throughout Italy with
valuable training, facility design and development as well as innovative risk
assessment and information technology solutions. For more information, see Hospital
Consulting's website: www.hospital-consulting.it.
About Life Episteme SARL
The privately held Life Episteme SARL based in Geneva, Switzerland, is a medical
device distribution company. The experience of the co-founders, Dr. Domenico
Pecorini, Vincenzo de Bustis Figarola, and Paolo Pepe, has provided the group with
strong relationships in government, business, and technology spheres in various
countries around the world. Visit Dr. Pecorini's website: www.scienceparkrome.eu.
About Life Episteme Italia, srl
This newly formed Joint Venture will benefit from the know-how and contacts of both Hospital Consulting (HC) and Life Episteme SARL group (LEG). The success of the
operation will be pursued sharing competencies and dedicating high-profile
resources. LEG will bring strong relationships, financial services and
internationalization to the partnership. HC will provide decades of presence,
success and experience in the market. The President of Life Episteme Italia (LEI)
will be Dott.ssa Marisa Giampaoli, Managing Director of Hospital Consulting group,
who is well respected at the highest levels of the Italian public and private health
sector. Umberto Marangoni, the Country General Manager for Hospital Consulting, will
serve as LEI's Managing Director. Before becoming the Country General Manager, he
worked many years in the same positions in Italy and abroad, for Ohmeda and Draeger
Medical, the world leaders in Anesthesia and Critical Care. LEI and the Italian
activities will become fully operational beginning January 1, 2010.
About Zangani Investor Community(TM)
The Zangani Investor Community(TM) was created to facilitate scientific and
commercial relationships between American, European and Chinese entities. Visit
Zangani's website: www.zangani.com.
About Professor Guiseppe Marineo
Professor Guiseppe Marineo is a researcher and bioengineer, who advanced theories to reformulate the concept of disease and the corresponding treatment from a
biophysical rather than a biochemical point of view. He is the founder of Delta R&D,
a bioengineering research center with a unique history. Visit Delta R&D's website:
www.deltard.com/eng.
About Competitive Technologies, Inc.
Competitive Technologies, established in 1968, provides distribution, patent and
technology transfer, sales and licensing services focused on the needs of its
customers and matching those requirements with commercially viable product or
technology solutions. CTT is a global leader in identifying, developing and
commercializing innovative products and technologies in life, electronic, nano, and
physical sciences developed by universities, companies and inventors. CTT maximizes
the value of intellectual assets for the benefit of its customers, clients and
shareholders. Visit CTT's website: www.competitivetech.net.
Statements made about our future expectations are forward-looking statements and
subject to risks and uncertainties as described in our most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on October 27, 2009,
and other filings with the SEC, and are subject to change at any time. Our actual
results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. We undertake
no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
A Trio of Thanksgiving Feasts at Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa
Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa wishes everyone a very happy Thanksgiving Day on Thursday 26th November 2009. To celebrate with 3 exceptional dining offers to create a fantastically festive atmosphere, no matter where you choose to dine.
Savor the Pacific Rim traditions of Trader Vic’s in a superb Thanksgiving set menu of 6 sizzling courses for only Baht 1,450 per person. Delve into exceptional dishes such as a Terrine of Foie Gras and Guinea Fowl featuring fig chips and parsnip vanilla cream, before your taste buds are astounded by a traditional Assiette of Thanksgiving Turkey comprising a roasted breast, ballotine of leg and flamed foie gras stuffing with brussel sprouts.
Alternatively, gaze out over a beautiful river vista and enjoy fine al fresco dining at the Riverside Terrace for just only Baht 1,250 per person with a Thanksgiving Day Station, added exclusive for this special occasion. Make sure you have a ravenous appetite of Roast Turkey and Prime Rib of Australian Beef, as well as a mouthwatering collection of trimmings. Then, leave room for a lavish array of homemade ice creams and an amazing range of 9 delicious pies and cakes that will satisfy every sweet tooth craving.
For those who would prefer to dine at home, the extensive 5 star shopping list from Numero Uno features all the traditional Thanksgiving favorites such as Roast Turkey, Honey Glazed Ham and Roast Certified Angus Rib of Beef, accompanied by all the trimmings you could possibly dream of, alongside a sensational choice of desserts. What could be simpler or more luxurious than such a superbly organized shopping list prepared by one of our very own master chefs?
Prices are subject to 10% service charge and applicable government tax.
Savor the Pacific Rim traditions of Trader Vic’s in a superb Thanksgiving set menu of 6 sizzling courses for only Baht 1,450 per person. Delve into exceptional dishes such as a Terrine of Foie Gras and Guinea Fowl featuring fig chips and parsnip vanilla cream, before your taste buds are astounded by a traditional Assiette of Thanksgiving Turkey comprising a roasted breast, ballotine of leg and flamed foie gras stuffing with brussel sprouts.
Alternatively, gaze out over a beautiful river vista and enjoy fine al fresco dining at the Riverside Terrace for just only Baht 1,250 per person with a Thanksgiving Day Station, added exclusive for this special occasion. Make sure you have a ravenous appetite of Roast Turkey and Prime Rib of Australian Beef, as well as a mouthwatering collection of trimmings. Then, leave room for a lavish array of homemade ice creams and an amazing range of 9 delicious pies and cakes that will satisfy every sweet tooth craving.
For those who would prefer to dine at home, the extensive 5 star shopping list from Numero Uno features all the traditional Thanksgiving favorites such as Roast Turkey, Honey Glazed Ham and Roast Certified Angus Rib of Beef, accompanied by all the trimmings you could possibly dream of, alongside a sensational choice of desserts. What could be simpler or more luxurious than such a superbly organized shopping list prepared by one of our very own master chefs?
Prices are subject to 10% service charge and applicable government tax.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
KAMALAYA IS ASIAN FAVOURITE
The Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa on Koh Samui has been named Favourite Spa in Asia in the 2009 SpaFinder Readers' Choice Award.
Based on a survey of 360,000 readers of the SpaFinder publications, the results revealed spa-goers' favourite spas around the world.
The awards are categorised in three groups - favourite spa by continent,favourite by region or country and the best in any of 27 categories.
Kamalaya is also listed among the Top 10 in the Best for Mind-Body-Spirit,Best Medical Programme, Best for Weight Loss and Best for Yoga categories.
Based on a survey of 360,000 readers of the SpaFinder publications, the results revealed spa-goers' favourite spas around the world.
The awards are categorised in three groups - favourite spa by continent,favourite by region or country and the best in any of 27 categories.
Kamalaya is also listed among the Top 10 in the Best for Mind-Body-Spirit,Best Medical Programme, Best for Weight Loss and Best for Yoga categories.
Two great Hua Hin treats
Enjoy "Sound of Siam Journey" or "Western Rhyme Journey"(or both!) at the Anantara Spa Hua Hin anytime this year.
The first involves a 30-minute Thai herbal steam, then a half-hour of scrubbing with the "tamarind body blast" to gently remove dead skin and give your complexion a natural radiance.
Finally there's a 60-minute Thai herb compress that to improve circulation and breathing, relax the muscles and reduce stress.
The Western Rhyme Journey includes an aromatic steam, the "Lavender sea salt scrub" and a sport massage to stretch the joints and muscles.
Enjoy both for Bt4,500, and that includes use of the spa pool and relaxation lounge and refreshment. Call (032)520 250 or e-mail huahin@anantara.com.
The first involves a 30-minute Thai herbal steam, then a half-hour of scrubbing with the "tamarind body blast" to gently remove dead skin and give your complexion a natural radiance.
Finally there's a 60-minute Thai herb compress that to improve circulation and breathing, relax the muscles and reduce stress.
The Western Rhyme Journey includes an aromatic steam, the "Lavender sea salt scrub" and a sport massage to stretch the joints and muscles.
Enjoy both for Bt4,500, and that includes use of the spa pool and relaxation lounge and refreshment. Call (032)520 250 or e-mail huahin@anantara.com.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A change for the better
Leaving his hometown of Marseille, Jean Christophe "JC" Blachere has lived in the Middle East, Hong Kong and is now happily based in Jakarta. The agile JC,who speaks fluent English, says that Mediterranean people share certain values with Asians and being married to an Indonesian enables him to empathise with Asians.
Together, they distribute Make Up For Ever in Indonesia, while JC also oversees the cosmetics brand business in the Middle East and the AsiaPacific. For 15 years, he has been driving Make Up For Ever's international development ever since he first met its founder, Dany Sanz, when she wanted to enter the Middle Eastern market.
From her, he discovered his passion for makeup,leading him to close down his export consultancy firm in order to completely take on the challenges of the highly competitive cosmetics industry.
JC was recently in Bangkok in his capacity of regional director for a big celebration - Make Up For Ever's 25th anniversary party held by Oranuj Wongprecha, managing director of Pre &Prom, the exclusive distributor in Thailand. The event took place at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club on Henri Dunant Road, and opening the party, he presented the history of the brand,which actually began from showbiz makeup.
A painter and a sculptor, Dany Sanz was doing sets for a theatrical production when the producer asked her to reproduce what she was painting on the bodies of the chorus line. She couldn't do it with acrylic paint, and had to find safer products,resulting in the creation of her own makeup line.
"Her works included doing makeup for theatre,cabaret, TV and cinema, catwalks, photo shoots,body painting and aquatic ballet. Dany brought a world of knowledge into the brand. For example,as a sculptor she applied shading and highlighting to sculpting the face, which is something specific to Make Up For Ever.And through her makeup, we're applying it to help make women bring out the best of their lovely features,"said the business executive, who was an ardent student of the prominent makeup artist.
Did you have other aspirations?
I remember telling my mum that I wanted to go to hotel school in order to become a chef. She was a secondary school teacher and her response of course was,'Forget it, you're going to do science'. And when my mother said 'No' there was no point in discussing it.
So I went on to study mechanical engineering, followed by doing an MBA a few years afterwards. And to be frank,I have to thank her otherwise I would have ended up as a chef, instead of being on this adventure with Make Up For Ever.
Tell us about your Middle Eastern adventure.
For instance, I decided to go and work in Egypt, even though people told me that it wasn't an easy place to live. Living there for two years turned out to be an enriching experience, and I found the Egyptians warm and caring. Even though an unequal society didn't give them an easy life, they were relaxed and happy all the time.
It taught me not to have preconceived ideas and to discover people and places by myself.That's why I love travelling.
How did an export consultant ended up being Dany's student?
I had my own consultancy firm, helping French companies export their products to the Middle East, and worked with Dany Sanz in expanding her family-run business.
One day, during a marketing seminar I made a special request to Dany. I knew about products and ingredients but I also needed to know how to use them. So I asked her to teach me and she gave me one-to-one lessons.
I discovered makeup this way, and by learning it from someone like Dany, you become passionate about makeup.
What did you like about doing makeup?
I always wanted to do something with my hands. Using my fingers or a brush to blend concealer, eyeshadow, doing makeup is a manual creation.
During the 15 years at Make Up For Ever, I have unfortunately done less and less makeup because I'mmore involved in the marketing and business side of the company. But I still love to work on doing makeup, whenever I have the chance.
What's an important quality of a good makeup artist?
You need to communicate well with women,whether models or customers at department stores. You need to understand first what the lady is looking for, which is often not obvious.
In contrast, most women have a hang-up,something physically that they don't like but nobody else sees. For example, I met a teenager who hated her ears when there was really nothing wrong with them. It's a feeling of insecurity.
Together, they distribute Make Up For Ever in Indonesia, while JC also oversees the cosmetics brand business in the Middle East and the AsiaPacific. For 15 years, he has been driving Make Up For Ever's international development ever since he first met its founder, Dany Sanz, when she wanted to enter the Middle Eastern market.
From her, he discovered his passion for makeup,leading him to close down his export consultancy firm in order to completely take on the challenges of the highly competitive cosmetics industry.
JC was recently in Bangkok in his capacity of regional director for a big celebration - Make Up For Ever's 25th anniversary party held by Oranuj Wongprecha, managing director of Pre &Prom, the exclusive distributor in Thailand. The event took place at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club on Henri Dunant Road, and opening the party, he presented the history of the brand,which actually began from showbiz makeup.
A painter and a sculptor, Dany Sanz was doing sets for a theatrical production when the producer asked her to reproduce what she was painting on the bodies of the chorus line. She couldn't do it with acrylic paint, and had to find safer products,resulting in the creation of her own makeup line.
"Her works included doing makeup for theatre,cabaret, TV and cinema, catwalks, photo shoots,body painting and aquatic ballet. Dany brought a world of knowledge into the brand. For example,as a sculptor she applied shading and highlighting to sculpting the face, which is something specific to Make Up For Ever.And through her makeup, we're applying it to help make women bring out the best of their lovely features,"said the business executive, who was an ardent student of the prominent makeup artist.
Did you have other aspirations?
I remember telling my mum that I wanted to go to hotel school in order to become a chef. She was a secondary school teacher and her response of course was,'Forget it, you're going to do science'. And when my mother said 'No' there was no point in discussing it.
So I went on to study mechanical engineering, followed by doing an MBA a few years afterwards. And to be frank,I have to thank her otherwise I would have ended up as a chef, instead of being on this adventure with Make Up For Ever.
Tell us about your Middle Eastern adventure.
For instance, I decided to go and work in Egypt, even though people told me that it wasn't an easy place to live. Living there for two years turned out to be an enriching experience, and I found the Egyptians warm and caring. Even though an unequal society didn't give them an easy life, they were relaxed and happy all the time.
It taught me not to have preconceived ideas and to discover people and places by myself.That's why I love travelling.
How did an export consultant ended up being Dany's student?
I had my own consultancy firm, helping French companies export their products to the Middle East, and worked with Dany Sanz in expanding her family-run business.
One day, during a marketing seminar I made a special request to Dany. I knew about products and ingredients but I also needed to know how to use them. So I asked her to teach me and she gave me one-to-one lessons.
I discovered makeup this way, and by learning it from someone like Dany, you become passionate about makeup.
What did you like about doing makeup?
I always wanted to do something with my hands. Using my fingers or a brush to blend concealer, eyeshadow, doing makeup is a manual creation.
During the 15 years at Make Up For Ever, I have unfortunately done less and less makeup because I'mmore involved in the marketing and business side of the company. But I still love to work on doing makeup, whenever I have the chance.
What's an important quality of a good makeup artist?
You need to communicate well with women,whether models or customers at department stores. You need to understand first what the lady is looking for, which is often not obvious.
In contrast, most women have a hang-up,something physically that they don't like but nobody else sees. For example, I met a teenager who hated her ears when there was really nothing wrong with them. It's a feeling of insecurity.
Kristie France offers cheap beauty deals
Kristie France has cut prices on its weigh-loss and beauty courses to tap low-end consumers after facing a price war from premium beauty centres going after the mid-tier market.
Managing director Phoophong Suebwonglee said yesterday that many clients were flocking to high-end centres, which have cut their service fees by 80 to 90 per cent.
Kristie France has to cut its fees by 60 to 70 per cent, and expects its revenue growth this year to be only 15 per cent, against the expected 30 to 40 per cent.
The company also plans to expand to Cambodia, while it has been approached to sell franchises in Malaysia and Vietnam.
Managing director Phoophong Suebwonglee said yesterday that many clients were flocking to high-end centres, which have cut their service fees by 80 to 90 per cent.
Kristie France has to cut its fees by 60 to 70 per cent, and expects its revenue growth this year to be only 15 per cent, against the expected 30 to 40 per cent.
The company also plans to expand to Cambodia, while it has been approached to sell franchises in Malaysia and Vietnam.
SPA STORES TO BE LAUNCHED IN BANGKOK
Panviman Group of Resorts will launch two spa stores in Bangkok next month while adding new magnets to its three hotels.
The first spa shop will open in CentralWorld on September 3 and the second in Siam Paragon on September 14.
It will be the first time the group has diversified away from the hotel and resort business.
President Chakarin Chantaravisoot said the company would import two Italian spa product lines, Angel and Mediterranean, to sell in Thailand.
Angel products are aimed at those aged 15-20 and Mediterranean products at general customers more than 20 years old.
"These are all organic products, so we are targeting upper-level customers conscious about their health," he said.
The group expects to sell Bt12 million of the products in the first year of operation.
The group manages its own spa called Viman Spa in the Panviman Hotel in Chiang Mai. All in-house products are called Puviman. The group produces and supplies its spa products to other hotels in Thailand and also to customers overseas.
In the near future, it will open a spa in the Panviman Hotel on Koh Chang in Trat and the Panviman on Koh Pha-ngan in Surat Thani.
A spa academy will be up and running at the Panviman Chiang Mai by year-end to train and certify therapists to serve the spa business.
Recently, the first fish spa was introduced in Chiang Mai and has become a popular new draw.
Panviman Chiang Mai is featuring 42 units priced at Bt7,000-Bt28,000 per night. However, all hotels in Chiang Mai are facing tough times as visitors stay away due to the political instability.
About Bt120 million will be spent to add 45 rooms to the Panviman Koh Chang, which has been open for five years. Also 50 existing rooms will be refurbished by adding pool access. The renovation is expected to be completed within two months.
A posh pub will open at the Koh Pha-ngan hotel by year-end, while 10 pool villas will be added to the scheduled hotel.
Three hotels are on the drawing board for the next few years - on Koh Krud in Trat, in Sriboya in Krabi and on Koh Chang.
"The group hopes the hotel business will recover this coming high season and we are seeing new bookings for that time," Chakarin added.
The first spa shop will open in CentralWorld on September 3 and the second in Siam Paragon on September 14.
It will be the first time the group has diversified away from the hotel and resort business.
President Chakarin Chantaravisoot said the company would import two Italian spa product lines, Angel and Mediterranean, to sell in Thailand.
Angel products are aimed at those aged 15-20 and Mediterranean products at general customers more than 20 years old.
"These are all organic products, so we are targeting upper-level customers conscious about their health," he said.
The group expects to sell Bt12 million of the products in the first year of operation.
The group manages its own spa called Viman Spa in the Panviman Hotel in Chiang Mai. All in-house products are called Puviman. The group produces and supplies its spa products to other hotels in Thailand and also to customers overseas.
In the near future, it will open a spa in the Panviman Hotel on Koh Chang in Trat and the Panviman on Koh Pha-ngan in Surat Thani.
A spa academy will be up and running at the Panviman Chiang Mai by year-end to train and certify therapists to serve the spa business.
Recently, the first fish spa was introduced in Chiang Mai and has become a popular new draw.
Panviman Chiang Mai is featuring 42 units priced at Bt7,000-Bt28,000 per night. However, all hotels in Chiang Mai are facing tough times as visitors stay away due to the political instability.
About Bt120 million will be spent to add 45 rooms to the Panviman Koh Chang, which has been open for five years. Also 50 existing rooms will be refurbished by adding pool access. The renovation is expected to be completed within two months.
A posh pub will open at the Koh Pha-ngan hotel by year-end, while 10 pool villas will be added to the scheduled hotel.
Three hotels are on the drawing board for the next few years - on Koh Krud in Trat, in Sriboya in Krabi and on Koh Chang.
"The group hopes the hotel business will recover this coming high season and we are seeing new bookings for that time," Chakarin added.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
AUSTRALIAN FIRM MOVES ENTIRE OPERATION IN THAI JOINT VENTURE
Autumn Solar, an Australian-based supplier and installer of heating for swimming pools and spas, plans to move its entire operations in Australia and China to Thailand within two years.
The move is designed to take advantage of the Thai-Australian Free Trade Agreement (Tafta), which comes into force next year.
Director Stephen Merrett said his company had exported swimming-pool equipment, such as solar-heating systems, underwater lights and salt chlorinators to the United States and many countries in Europe and Asia from its plant in Australia. However, its home-town location was no good for exports, thus, the company decided to move, so it could expand its export markets and save on transportation costs.
Autumn Solar is Australia's market leader in heating installations for swimming pools and spas. It is among the top five in Australia's swimming-pool industry.
Merrett said Autumn Solar had exported swimming-pool equipment to JD Pools 2004 (Thailand) for a few years. It recently concluded an agreement with the Thai firm to establish a joint venture in Phuket with registered capital of Bt50 million, to manufacture a comprehensive range of equipment in Thailand. Both parties will own half of the joint venture.
"We will transfer know-how in manufacturing swimming-pool equipment to our Thai partner. The company will gradually move its operating plant from Australia to Thailand within two years. Then the office in Australia will become a sales company," he said.
Merrett said the joint venture would take advantage of Tafta, which would cut export and import taxes to zero from next year.
Autumn Solar's turnover was US$15 million (Bt501 million) last year, $3 million of which came from exports.
"I expect to increase export sales by 15 per cent next year after we have partly moved our operating base to Phuket. Once we are fully operational in Thailand, export revenue is targeted to rise by 70 per cent within five years," Merrett said.
JD Pools 2004 (Thailand) CEO Thanusak Phungdet said the joint venture would strengthen his company, because it would be able to manufacture both swimming pools and equipment in Thailand. The local cost of installing swimming pool equipment would fall 15-20 per cent.
He said JD Pools and Autumn Solar would jointly expand export markets. The companies plan to penetrate France next year.
JD Pools expects revenue of Bt600 million this year, 20 per cent from exports. It plans to increase the revenue contribution from exports by 15 per cent next year and balance the portions of revenue coming from domestic and export markets within three years.
"We have been granted privileges by the Board of Investment, but our export proportion does not meet the BoI's criteria. The collaboration with the 26-year-old Australian firm will help our company to expand its export markets," he said.
The move is designed to take advantage of the Thai-Australian Free Trade Agreement (Tafta), which comes into force next year.
Director Stephen Merrett said his company had exported swimming-pool equipment, such as solar-heating systems, underwater lights and salt chlorinators to the United States and many countries in Europe and Asia from its plant in Australia. However, its home-town location was no good for exports, thus, the company decided to move, so it could expand its export markets and save on transportation costs.
Autumn Solar is Australia's market leader in heating installations for swimming pools and spas. It is among the top five in Australia's swimming-pool industry.
Merrett said Autumn Solar had exported swimming-pool equipment to JD Pools 2004 (Thailand) for a few years. It recently concluded an agreement with the Thai firm to establish a joint venture in Phuket with registered capital of Bt50 million, to manufacture a comprehensive range of equipment in Thailand. Both parties will own half of the joint venture.
"We will transfer know-how in manufacturing swimming-pool equipment to our Thai partner. The company will gradually move its operating plant from Australia to Thailand within two years. Then the office in Australia will become a sales company," he said.
Merrett said the joint venture would take advantage of Tafta, which would cut export and import taxes to zero from next year.
Autumn Solar's turnover was US$15 million (Bt501 million) last year, $3 million of which came from exports.
"I expect to increase export sales by 15 per cent next year after we have partly moved our operating base to Phuket. Once we are fully operational in Thailand, export revenue is targeted to rise by 70 per cent within five years," Merrett said.
JD Pools 2004 (Thailand) CEO Thanusak Phungdet said the joint venture would strengthen his company, because it would be able to manufacture both swimming pools and equipment in Thailand. The local cost of installing swimming pool equipment would fall 15-20 per cent.
He said JD Pools and Autumn Solar would jointly expand export markets. The companies plan to penetrate France next year.
JD Pools expects revenue of Bt600 million this year, 20 per cent from exports. It plans to increase the revenue contribution from exports by 15 per cent next year and balance the portions of revenue coming from domestic and export markets within three years.
"We have been granted privileges by the Board of Investment, but our export proportion does not meet the BoI's criteria. The collaboration with the 26-year-old Australian firm will help our company to expand its export markets," he said.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
MAKE-UP ARTIST MAKES GOOD
Nick Barose is a Thai make-up artist based mostly in New York,but he sometimes flies to Los Angeles, where his work can regularly be seen on the faces of those strolling the red carpet the Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammys and movie premieres. His celebrity clients include Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock,Megan Fox and Hilary Duff. When I was in LA recently, I wasted no time in contacting Nick for an interview.
Despite his busy schedule, he managed to fit me into a time slot.
"This week, I've gotten up at 3am for three days in a row for a 6am morning show. That drains you, physically. People tend to think my job is glamorous. The make-up part is easy,but the waiting around on the set can be hard. With actors,you don't want to distract them,but you also have to do your job. You can't let their face shine.You have to really pay attention,even when you get up at 3am,"he said.
The perks of the job are that he gets to meet a lot of artists,actors, writers and directors.
"It's great to work in the entertainment business. I get inspired by what others are doing. I love movies and music,"he said.
"It's like being behind the scenes. I get to see it or hear it before it comes out. For instance,I saw Kelly Clarkson rehearsing onstage. At the recent VH1 Divas Live concert I was doing makeup for Paula Abdul, the host for the show. Cyndi Lauper came knocking on Paula's dressing room door and asked if she could use the room to rehearse her song,True Colors ."Nick was recently back from the Toronto Film Festival, where he helped with the promotion of two movies,An Education and Bright Star . The lead actresses of the movies - Carey Mulligan
An Education ) and Abbie Cornish (Bright Star )- are Nick's clients.Bright Star was directed by Jane Campion, who also directed the award-winning movie The Piano (1993).What makes the superstars seek Nick out is his talent for bringing out a person's individuality and personality.B"I don't create a completely new look so that a face is totally changed and you can't remem-Nber that person at the end," said Nick."This doesn't mean that I Pdon't put on a lot of make-up. I do, especially for red carpet events. However, I tend to emphasise the technique. The skin must look perfect because it has to face the spotlights."
Nick also does consultant work for various cosmetics companies, and he has launched a book in Thailand called Nick Barose Beauty . The book teaches how to apply make-up and goes from the most basic to the most complicated levels.
Some of his make-up tips? Apply foundation with a brush rather than a sponge so that it does not soak up the foundation and go to waste. Do not use your hands because the foundation will not glide on smoothly. Before applying mascara, clean the brush so that when applied it does not make little clots on your lashes.
Invest in a make-up primer in order to control the oiliness of your face, and to give a long-lasting look. This is especially important for humid Thailand.
Also, when choosing a make-up shade,do not be afraid to pick a bright colour. A colour that looks bright in the packaging tends to be lighter when applied on the skin. Lastly, use a puff to press lightly after each application of make-up so that it looks more smooth and natural.
When he left Thailand at 16 years of age to study in New York, he did not feel homesick at all because he saw the fast-paced and crowded city as similar to Bangkok.
"New York was everything I expected it to be. My relatives own a Thai restaurant,so I was working there after school and eating Thai food. It felt like home. At first I found the subway to be a bit overwhelming, but now I find it so convenient to use."
The 35-year-old said his fellow classmates from Parsons The New School for Design called him Nick because his Thai name - Dilokrit - was too difficult for them to pronounce.
Although Parsons is a very prominent fashion school, having produced such legendary designers as Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan, Nick did not study fashion there.
"I majored in environmental design for my bachelor's degree. At first I was going to major in interior design because I like to decorate my home, but environmental design covers a wider scope and includes things like landscape and architecture." It
was not until later that Nick decided to make a career in the fashion
industry, but the signs were always there.
He recalled that the fashion department at Parsons was located on an upper floor, and that he felt closer to students there than in his own department.
"Whenever there was a fashion shoot, I always assisted the fashion department in doing the models' make-up. People said I had a gift as a makeup artist," he said. While he was at school he also landed jobs from modelling agencies doing make-up for new models when they did photo shoots for their portfolios.
Nick's experience with make-up began with growing up in a family filled with females. Every New Year's Eve there would be a big annual celebration, and Nick would be the one to direct the shows,arrange the costumes and do everyone's make-up.
Years later a photographer friend advised him that he should try to become an assistant to a famous makeup artist, or else no one would ever know of him.
"I like the works of a makeup artist named Kevyn Aucoin,who is now deceased. He is also similar to me in the sense that he grew up in a family filled with females, and did many fashion shows with them as a child. I wrote an application letter to him at the right time, during New York Fashion Week. I didn't think a person at that level would reply to my letter because he would already have assistants, but he called me back," said Nick.
Despite his busy schedule, he managed to fit me into a time slot.
"This week, I've gotten up at 3am for three days in a row for a 6am morning show. That drains you, physically. People tend to think my job is glamorous. The make-up part is easy,but the waiting around on the set can be hard. With actors,you don't want to distract them,but you also have to do your job. You can't let their face shine.You have to really pay attention,even when you get up at 3am,"he said.
The perks of the job are that he gets to meet a lot of artists,actors, writers and directors.
"It's great to work in the entertainment business. I get inspired by what others are doing. I love movies and music,"he said.
"It's like being behind the scenes. I get to see it or hear it before it comes out. For instance,I saw Kelly Clarkson rehearsing onstage. At the recent VH1 Divas Live concert I was doing makeup for Paula Abdul, the host for the show. Cyndi Lauper came knocking on Paula's dressing room door and asked if she could use the room to rehearse her song,True Colors ."Nick was recently back from the Toronto Film Festival, where he helped with the promotion of two movies,An Education and Bright Star . The lead actresses of the movies - Carey Mulligan
An Education ) and Abbie Cornish (Bright Star )- are Nick's clients.Bright Star was directed by Jane Campion, who also directed the award-winning movie The Piano (1993).What makes the superstars seek Nick out is his talent for bringing out a person's individuality and personality.B"I don't create a completely new look so that a face is totally changed and you can't remem-Nber that person at the end," said Nick."This doesn't mean that I Pdon't put on a lot of make-up. I do, especially for red carpet events. However, I tend to emphasise the technique. The skin must look perfect because it has to face the spotlights."
Nick also does consultant work for various cosmetics companies, and he has launched a book in Thailand called Nick Barose Beauty . The book teaches how to apply make-up and goes from the most basic to the most complicated levels.
Some of his make-up tips? Apply foundation with a brush rather than a sponge so that it does not soak up the foundation and go to waste. Do not use your hands because the foundation will not glide on smoothly. Before applying mascara, clean the brush so that when applied it does not make little clots on your lashes.
Invest in a make-up primer in order to control the oiliness of your face, and to give a long-lasting look. This is especially important for humid Thailand.
Also, when choosing a make-up shade,do not be afraid to pick a bright colour. A colour that looks bright in the packaging tends to be lighter when applied on the skin. Lastly, use a puff to press lightly after each application of make-up so that it looks more smooth and natural.
When he left Thailand at 16 years of age to study in New York, he did not feel homesick at all because he saw the fast-paced and crowded city as similar to Bangkok.
"New York was everything I expected it to be. My relatives own a Thai restaurant,so I was working there after school and eating Thai food. It felt like home. At first I found the subway to be a bit overwhelming, but now I find it so convenient to use."
The 35-year-old said his fellow classmates from Parsons The New School for Design called him Nick because his Thai name - Dilokrit - was too difficult for them to pronounce.
Although Parsons is a very prominent fashion school, having produced such legendary designers as Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan, Nick did not study fashion there.
"I majored in environmental design for my bachelor's degree. At first I was going to major in interior design because I like to decorate my home, but environmental design covers a wider scope and includes things like landscape and architecture." It
was not until later that Nick decided to make a career in the fashion
industry, but the signs were always there.
He recalled that the fashion department at Parsons was located on an upper floor, and that he felt closer to students there than in his own department.
"Whenever there was a fashion shoot, I always assisted the fashion department in doing the models' make-up. People said I had a gift as a makeup artist," he said. While he was at school he also landed jobs from modelling agencies doing make-up for new models when they did photo shoots for their portfolios.
Nick's experience with make-up began with growing up in a family filled with females. Every New Year's Eve there would be a big annual celebration, and Nick would be the one to direct the shows,arrange the costumes and do everyone's make-up.
Years later a photographer friend advised him that he should try to become an assistant to a famous makeup artist, or else no one would ever know of him.
"I like the works of a makeup artist named Kevyn Aucoin,who is now deceased. He is also similar to me in the sense that he grew up in a family filled with females, and did many fashion shows with them as a child. I wrote an application letter to him at the right time, during New York Fashion Week. I didn't think a person at that level would reply to my letter because he would already have assistants, but he called me back," said Nick.
Monday, September 28, 2009
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE PRISON PAMPERING?
Against a backdrop of razor wire and machine guns, beauty therapists at Malaysia's first "jail spa" quietly tend to their customers under the watchful eye of uniformed wardens.
Despite the tight security, the innovative Balinese-decorated spa is doing a brisk trade while giving inmates at the country's biggest women's prison a trade they can turn to after their release.
"I'm not afraid at all, because I have faith that these prisoners are wll trained to serve the customers and our safety is assured here," says Noor Aliza Osman, 45, who's on her second visit to the spa at Kajang Prison.
"It's comfortable here, the prices are reasonable and I don't have to wait too long to get my hair done, like at other salons," says the mother of four, who's having her hair henna-coloured by 30-year-old prisoner Farah.
With her hair neatly tied back and dressed in a loose green jacket and trousers, Farah looks like any other beauty therapist, apart from the prisoner identification number sewn onto her uniform.
"I'm very glad to have this chance and I have regular customers here who've been kind enough to ask me to work for them once I'm released, since they've become familiar with me," she smiles.
"This is a very good experience. I've learned useful skiils here. I'm considering opening up my own spa if I have enough money when I'm freed."
Farah - using an assumed name at the request of prison authorities - is an Indonesian who worked as a waitress before overstaying her visa in Malaysia and being sentenced to a year in jail.
She's among seven prisoners currently working at the spa, who go through four security checkpoints each morning to reach the salon from their cells a few hundred metres away.
Once at the cosy building, where the scent of aromatic oils floats in the air, they're permitted to mingly freely with their customers, chatting and laughing ad they work a nine-hour shift under close watch by three wardens.
Only inmates who haven't committed serious or violent offences are considered for a position at the spa. Some 60 per cent of the jail's 1,600 inmates are foreigners, many of them Indonesians convicted on immigration charges.
The salon has welcomed a steady stream of customers since opening late last year, offering head-to-toe beauty services such as facials, pedicures, foot reflexology and massages at low prices.
"The response has been overwhelming so far," says the prison's chief inspector, Fauziah Husaini.
"Many customers were hesitant to come to a prison at the beginning, but this programme can change public perception about prisoners, so they'll be easily accepted in society in future," she says.
Prisoners working in the spa are paid a small allowance, and the rest of the income generated from the business is used to help fund other rehabilitation programmes, such as bakery and sewing classes.
"We're basically helping them prepare to adapt to society when they're freed," Fauziah says. "We also hope this programme can lift the veil of secrecy about prison in the eyes of the public.
"It's all about empowerment and to give these prisoners a sense of confidence - that's how the idea of setting up this spa came about."
Despite the tight security, the innovative Balinese-decorated spa is doing a brisk trade while giving inmates at the country's biggest women's prison a trade they can turn to after their release.
"I'm not afraid at all, because I have faith that these prisoners are wll trained to serve the customers and our safety is assured here," says Noor Aliza Osman, 45, who's on her second visit to the spa at Kajang Prison.
"It's comfortable here, the prices are reasonable and I don't have to wait too long to get my hair done, like at other salons," says the mother of four, who's having her hair henna-coloured by 30-year-old prisoner Farah.
With her hair neatly tied back and dressed in a loose green jacket and trousers, Farah looks like any other beauty therapist, apart from the prisoner identification number sewn onto her uniform.
"I'm very glad to have this chance and I have regular customers here who've been kind enough to ask me to work for them once I'm released, since they've become familiar with me," she smiles.
"This is a very good experience. I've learned useful skiils here. I'm considering opening up my own spa if I have enough money when I'm freed."
Farah - using an assumed name at the request of prison authorities - is an Indonesian who worked as a waitress before overstaying her visa in Malaysia and being sentenced to a year in jail.
She's among seven prisoners currently working at the spa, who go through four security checkpoints each morning to reach the salon from their cells a few hundred metres away.
Once at the cosy building, where the scent of aromatic oils floats in the air, they're permitted to mingly freely with their customers, chatting and laughing ad they work a nine-hour shift under close watch by three wardens.
Only inmates who haven't committed serious or violent offences are considered for a position at the spa. Some 60 per cent of the jail's 1,600 inmates are foreigners, many of them Indonesians convicted on immigration charges.
The salon has welcomed a steady stream of customers since opening late last year, offering head-to-toe beauty services such as facials, pedicures, foot reflexology and massages at low prices.
"The response has been overwhelming so far," says the prison's chief inspector, Fauziah Husaini.
"Many customers were hesitant to come to a prison at the beginning, but this programme can change public perception about prisoners, so they'll be easily accepted in society in future," she says.
Prisoners working in the spa are paid a small allowance, and the rest of the income generated from the business is used to help fund other rehabilitation programmes, such as bakery and sewing classes.
"We're basically helping them prepare to adapt to society when they're freed," Fauziah says. "We also hope this programme can lift the veil of secrecy about prison in the eyes of the public.
"It's all about empowerment and to give these prisoners a sense of confidence - that's how the idea of setting up this spa came about."
HAIR TODAY GONE TOMORROW!
In parts of the world that have a winter season, women can use the cold weather as an excuse to cover up and temporarily cease their hair removal remedies.Well, no such luck here, ladies! It's always hot out, and if you're baring your legs,let us help ensure you have the smoothest pins around. We've got five vouchers for a half-leg waxing treatment from The Waxing Bar,valued at B1,000 each.
Giveaway prizes courtesy of The Waxing Bar (Ozono,2/F, Unit 307, Sukhumvit Soi 39,02-204 2800.Open daily 10am-9pm, last booking 8pm). To help make your waxing treatment as pleasant as possible,The Waxing Bar uses special Lycon wax imported from Australia, popular with celebs such as Madonna and Victoria Beckham. This premium wax is perfect for removing stubborn hair, as it gets rid of bristles as short as one millimetre. The Waxing Bar also offers special-scented wax in aromas including berry, chocolate,and vanilla.
ANSWER THIS: What is the worst experience you've had with hair removal?
CONGRATULATIONS
Well-done to Candice Rafferty for winning a B3,000 voucher for beauty treatments at Apex Profound Beauty. Congratulations also to the readers who will be joining us at the Guru Community Project 3: Funky Fusion tonight!
For each prize category,e-mail your answer to guru@bangkokpost.co.th with your name and full contact details. Deadline Sep 28. Winners will be randomly drawn and notified by e-mail. Winners must pick up their prize at the Display Department, The Post Building, by Oct 9.
Giveaway prizes courtesy of The Waxing Bar (Ozono,2/F, Unit 307, Sukhumvit Soi 39,02-204 2800.Open daily 10am-9pm, last booking 8pm). To help make your waxing treatment as pleasant as possible,The Waxing Bar uses special Lycon wax imported from Australia, popular with celebs such as Madonna and Victoria Beckham. This premium wax is perfect for removing stubborn hair, as it gets rid of bristles as short as one millimetre. The Waxing Bar also offers special-scented wax in aromas including berry, chocolate,and vanilla.
ANSWER THIS: What is the worst experience you've had with hair removal?
CONGRATULATIONS
Well-done to Candice Rafferty for winning a B3,000 voucher for beauty treatments at Apex Profound Beauty. Congratulations also to the readers who will be joining us at the Guru Community Project 3: Funky Fusion tonight!
For each prize category,e-mail your answer to guru@bangkokpost.co.th with your name and full contact details. Deadline Sep 28. Winners will be randomly drawn and notified by e-mail. Winners must pick up their prize at the Display Department, The Post Building, by Oct 9.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
PANPURI SHARES THE PURR
The pampering elixirs of Thai-owned luxury skincare brand Panpuri have been a global hit for years with spas and celebrities including model Cindy Crawford, so the opening of the first Panpuri Organic Spa at the Gaysorn mall comes as no surprise.
There are two treament rooms, a signle and a double, done up in a mystic Moroccan mood with walls of black marble alight with glittering gold-coloured stones and bright brass equipment.
Though compact, the rooms are cleverly designed for a relaxing expereince.
Certified by the United States Department of Agriculture, the treatment products are all organic, and so are the towels, bathrobes and sheets, made from organic cotton.
Panpuri products use onyl the best herbs and pure essential oils. Asian ingredients include jasmine, ylang-ylang, lemongrass, coffee, mint, aloe vera and fragrance-free essential oi, all 100 per cent organic.
There's a wide choice of treatments for both men and women, and therapists to help you decide. The main aim is relazation and rejuvenation.
Recommended and popular is the Mali Moonlight Massage, which in 60 or 90 minutes. Combines traditional Thai massage with aromatherapy, the traditional Chinese acupressure techniques.
Jasmine-scented oil is utilised, so you can easily drift into a trance during the session.
Jasmine also infuses the oil used in the facial treatments, of which the favourite is the 75-minute Mali-Nrundhra Rejuvenating Facial, which helps restore your glow and enliven weary skin.
Then there's the energy-boosting Perm-Palang Uplifting Massage, with its long, powerful strokes and lemongrass-infused oul, and the Samruam Tranquillity Massage, which focuses on the legs, lower back and neck, head and shoulders, but also includes a facial.
The spa offers full-body organic treatments as well, such as a milk sea bath, herbal body scrub, detoxifying course and a skin-brightening session.
The prices range from Bt1,900 to Bt7,500, and you're well advised to reserve in advance.
There are two treament rooms, a signle and a double, done up in a mystic Moroccan mood with walls of black marble alight with glittering gold-coloured stones and bright brass equipment.
Though compact, the rooms are cleverly designed for a relaxing expereince.
Certified by the United States Department of Agriculture, the treatment products are all organic, and so are the towels, bathrobes and sheets, made from organic cotton.
Panpuri products use onyl the best herbs and pure essential oils. Asian ingredients include jasmine, ylang-ylang, lemongrass, coffee, mint, aloe vera and fragrance-free essential oi, all 100 per cent organic.
There's a wide choice of treatments for both men and women, and therapists to help you decide. The main aim is relazation and rejuvenation.
Recommended and popular is the Mali Moonlight Massage, which in 60 or 90 minutes. Combines traditional Thai massage with aromatherapy, the traditional Chinese acupressure techniques.
Jasmine-scented oil is utilised, so you can easily drift into a trance during the session.
Jasmine also infuses the oil used in the facial treatments, of which the favourite is the 75-minute Mali-Nrundhra Rejuvenating Facial, which helps restore your glow and enliven weary skin.
Then there's the energy-boosting Perm-Palang Uplifting Massage, with its long, powerful strokes and lemongrass-infused oul, and the Samruam Tranquillity Massage, which focuses on the legs, lower back and neck, head and shoulders, but also includes a facial.
The spa offers full-body organic treatments as well, such as a milk sea bath, herbal body scrub, detoxifying course and a skin-brightening session.
The prices range from Bt1,900 to Bt7,500, and you're well advised to reserve in advance.
HAIRY BUSINESS
Bangkok's new speciality salons help you wave goodbye to unwanted hair
PLUCK IT!Anastasia Beverly Hills The original Bangkok outlet of Anastasia Beverly Hills at CentralWorld has been a big hit with beauty addicts in town since it opened last year. As we ladies know, it's always fully booked!The salon's new outlet at The Emporium aims to transform your bushy brows to Hollywood ones - just like "Eyebrow Queen" Anastasia Soare does for A-list celebrities at her starstudded Beverly Hills base.The renowned professional eyebrow shaping (current promotion B640) comes from expert design based on individual counselling, bone structure and face shape. In addition to offering best-shaped eyebrows, Anastasia Beverly Hills also treats you to lip moisturising, pore refining treatments, plus forehead and upper lip waxing.To celebrate the opening of the latest outlet,a 20 per cent discount is available on all treatments until October 31. But be warned:advance booking is essential.VOpen daily 10am-10pm. Anastasia Beverly
Hills,4/F, The Emporium Shopping Complex,622 Sukhumvit Soi 24.C02-664-7440-2, www.anastasiath.com.PB400-B1,200.
HOLLYWOOD OR BRAZILIAN?The Waxing Bar Need we say any more about what this salon does?The Waxing Bar gets rid of unwanted hair - in any area that can be waxed! Although the thought of having hair removed may make you wince, this spa-like salon boasts an amiable ambience and professional, painless treatments.The menu offers a full range of body waxing from brows to lips, underarms, chest, legs and the hair "down there", while all treatments use premium Lycon wax from Australia, popular with celebs like Sienna Miller, Victoria Beckham,Kate Hudson and Madonna.To ease the pain factor, therapists help sooth you with aromatherapy fragrances SoBerry, SoYummy (chocolate), Vanilla,
Rosette or Gold. Normally wax treatments require at least a quarter of an inch of hair for the wax to grab onto, but the Lycon wax used here can remove stubborn hair as short as one millimetre.The signature treatments at The Waxing Bar are Brazilian and Hollywood waxes (B1,800). Your choice depends on how "bare" you dare to go!Men can also visit The Waxing Bar but must make an appointment.VOpen daily 10am-9pm (last booking 8pm). The Waxing
Bar,2/F, Unit 307, Ozono, Sukhumvit Soi 39.C02-2042800.PB250-B2,500.
PLUCK IT!Anastasia Beverly Hills The original Bangkok outlet of Anastasia Beverly Hills at CentralWorld has been a big hit with beauty addicts in town since it opened last year. As we ladies know, it's always fully booked!The salon's new outlet at The Emporium aims to transform your bushy brows to Hollywood ones - just like "Eyebrow Queen" Anastasia Soare does for A-list celebrities at her starstudded Beverly Hills base.The renowned professional eyebrow shaping (current promotion B640) comes from expert design based on individual counselling, bone structure and face shape. In addition to offering best-shaped eyebrows, Anastasia Beverly Hills also treats you to lip moisturising, pore refining treatments, plus forehead and upper lip waxing.To celebrate the opening of the latest outlet,a 20 per cent discount is available on all treatments until October 31. But be warned:advance booking is essential.VOpen daily 10am-10pm. Anastasia Beverly
Hills,4/F, The Emporium Shopping Complex,622 Sukhumvit Soi 24.C02-664-7440-2, www.anastasiath.com.PB400-B1,200.
HOLLYWOOD OR BRAZILIAN?The Waxing Bar Need we say any more about what this salon does?The Waxing Bar gets rid of unwanted hair - in any area that can be waxed! Although the thought of having hair removed may make you wince, this spa-like salon boasts an amiable ambience and professional, painless treatments.The menu offers a full range of body waxing from brows to lips, underarms, chest, legs and the hair "down there", while all treatments use premium Lycon wax from Australia, popular with celebs like Sienna Miller, Victoria Beckham,Kate Hudson and Madonna.To ease the pain factor, therapists help sooth you with aromatherapy fragrances SoBerry, SoYummy (chocolate), Vanilla,
Rosette or Gold. Normally wax treatments require at least a quarter of an inch of hair for the wax to grab onto, but the Lycon wax used here can remove stubborn hair as short as one millimetre.The signature treatments at The Waxing Bar are Brazilian and Hollywood waxes (B1,800). Your choice depends on how "bare" you dare to go!Men can also visit The Waxing Bar but must make an appointment.VOpen daily 10am-9pm (last booking 8pm). The Waxing
Bar,2/F, Unit 307, Ozono, Sukhumvit Soi 39.C02-2042800.PB250-B2,500.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
BEEN THERE DONE THAT: ANNE SEMONIN SPA
ANNESEMONIN SPA 188, Sofitel SilomHotel, SilomRoad, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500 Tel:02-238-1991 ext 1244/5, fax:02-635-9981 email: info@eurasiacosmetics.com, web site: www.eurasiacosmetics.com.
At Anne Semonin, beautycare is an ingenious blend of aromatherapy, massage and spa treatment guided by the philosophy that age, weather condition and lifestyle have a bearing on skin complexion, varying from one person to another.
Therefore all remedial options are tailored to suit the needs of the individual with the aim to maximise benefits to the skin for optimum results.
Every treatment includes a customised skin examination and analysis of problem areas before arriving at the most appropriate solution,which depends on the state of each customer's skin condition.
My course began with an anti-stress back therapy in which pleasantly warm mineral mud was applied on my back to relieve stress and muscle tension. Lasting 45 minutes, it was followed by a 55-minute anti-wrinkle facial treatment designed to firm up the skin and boost its radiance.
PATSINEE KRANLERT The therapists' thorough knowledge of products as well as skill with which they administered the treatment gave me confidence in their ability and its effectiveness. Staff were polite and all smiles right from the time I arrived until the end of my treatment. Given the spa's warm, tranquil and restful ambience, you never realise that you are in the heart of Bangkok's prime business district. Despite chaotic traffic in the area, this luxury high-rise hotel is within a 10-minute walk from the BTS station. The treatment room featuring two massage beds, a large bathtub and separate shower was obviously more than spacious for a single person. The warm mineral mud with properties similar to lava was meant to cure stiff muscles and fatigue, whereas the 100% Active Decrease Facial applied with anti-aging express radiance ice cubes is ideal for those worried by the onset aging and dullness of their skin. The entire place was tidy and flawless. The treatments offered me a pleasant experience though the uniqueness of the spa's quaint products and healing methods seemed to overwhelm its actual efficiency. The Anti-stress Back Therapy is priced at 1,800 baht whereas the 100% Active Decrease Facial costs 3,900 baht. These rates do not include VAT and service charge.
At Anne Semonin, beautycare is an ingenious blend of aromatherapy, massage and spa treatment guided by the philosophy that age, weather condition and lifestyle have a bearing on skin complexion, varying from one person to another.
Therefore all remedial options are tailored to suit the needs of the individual with the aim to maximise benefits to the skin for optimum results.
Every treatment includes a customised skin examination and analysis of problem areas before arriving at the most appropriate solution,which depends on the state of each customer's skin condition.
My course began with an anti-stress back therapy in which pleasantly warm mineral mud was applied on my back to relieve stress and muscle tension. Lasting 45 minutes, it was followed by a 55-minute anti-wrinkle facial treatment designed to firm up the skin and boost its radiance.
PATSINEE KRANLERT The therapists' thorough knowledge of products as well as skill with which they administered the treatment gave me confidence in their ability and its effectiveness. Staff were polite and all smiles right from the time I arrived until the end of my treatment. Given the spa's warm, tranquil and restful ambience, you never realise that you are in the heart of Bangkok's prime business district. Despite chaotic traffic in the area, this luxury high-rise hotel is within a 10-minute walk from the BTS station. The treatment room featuring two massage beds, a large bathtub and separate shower was obviously more than spacious for a single person. The warm mineral mud with properties similar to lava was meant to cure stiff muscles and fatigue, whereas the 100% Active Decrease Facial applied with anti-aging express radiance ice cubes is ideal for those worried by the onset aging and dullness of their skin. The entire place was tidy and flawless. The treatments offered me a pleasant experience though the uniqueness of the spa's quaint products and healing methods seemed to overwhelm its actual efficiency. The Anti-stress Back Therapy is priced at 1,800 baht whereas the 100% Active Decrease Facial costs 3,900 baht. These rates do not include VAT and service charge.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
A Perfect Brow
Following the success of its first salon at CentralWorld with weeks of advance booking required, the celebrities' most favourite eyebrow spa is now expanding its services with a new salon opening on the 4th floor of Emporium shopping complex.
Unlike several other beauty salon chains that often come in a pre-designed block, the new branch offers a different interior decoration yet, similar service of excellence that guarantees satisfaction. Services offered range from eyebrow shaping, facial waxing, pore-refining treatment, as well as lip moisturising treatment. Also available for purchase are state-of-the-art eyebrow grooming kits and various cosmetic products.
Call 02-664-7440 - 2.
Unlike several other beauty salon chains that often come in a pre-designed block, the new branch offers a different interior decoration yet, similar service of excellence that guarantees satisfaction. Services offered range from eyebrow shaping, facial waxing, pore-refining treatment, as well as lip moisturising treatment. Also available for purchase are state-of-the-art eyebrow grooming kits and various cosmetic products.
Call 02-664-7440 - 2.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
NUSASIRI EXPANDS WITH PHUKET MEDICAL RESORT IN LINE WITH GOVT GOAL FOR REGIONAL HEALTHCARE HUB
Residential property developer Nusasiri Grand expects to open its second medical resort worth Bt700 million in Phuket after experiencing great success with its first centre in Bangkok.
The firm decided to diversify its development business from residences to medical complexes in response to the government's plan of turning Thailand into a regional medical hub.
Vice president Siriya Thepcharoen yesterday said the medical resort in Phuket, now being built on 130 rai, would offer alternative medicine, conventional medicine, spa therapy as well as rehabilitation.
The Bt700 million investment will cover the construction of the main infrastructure, all facilities and 100 villas.
The investment budget is partly covered by Nusasiri's cash flow and partly from bank loans.
"We're interested in developing property that provides medical services because Thailand is starting to earn a reputation of becoming a medical hub.
"Foreigners recognise this image well. Besides, the global recession is having less of an effect on the healthcare business, so we believe our investments in the healthcare business will be successful," she said.
The Phuket medical resort is expected to open next year, and Nusasiri expects it to reach breakeven point within two years.
The company believes that many well-known clinics, specialised medicine centres and doctors will interested in working at the resort.
Siriya said the success of the Bangkok Mediplex Centre inspired Nusasiri to expand further into the healthcare business. The Bangkok centre, covering five floors of Nusasiri Grand Condo Sukhumvit-Ekamai, is the first medical mall in Thailand and was officially opened yesterday.
Healthcare and beauty clinics, as well as medical shops, including Chirofit Chiropractic Clinic, Romrawin Clinic, DNA Clinic and Metta International Eye Centre, have leased all of the available space at the resort.
Siriya said Nusasiri was expected to generate rental revenue of Bt80 million monthly.
The firm decided to diversify its development business from residences to medical complexes in response to the government's plan of turning Thailand into a regional medical hub.
Vice president Siriya Thepcharoen yesterday said the medical resort in Phuket, now being built on 130 rai, would offer alternative medicine, conventional medicine, spa therapy as well as rehabilitation.
The Bt700 million investment will cover the construction of the main infrastructure, all facilities and 100 villas.
The investment budget is partly covered by Nusasiri's cash flow and partly from bank loans.
"We're interested in developing property that provides medical services because Thailand is starting to earn a reputation of becoming a medical hub.
"Foreigners recognise this image well. Besides, the global recession is having less of an effect on the healthcare business, so we believe our investments in the healthcare business will be successful," she said.
The Phuket medical resort is expected to open next year, and Nusasiri expects it to reach breakeven point within two years.
The company believes that many well-known clinics, specialised medicine centres and doctors will interested in working at the resort.
Siriya said the success of the Bangkok Mediplex Centre inspired Nusasiri to expand further into the healthcare business. The Bangkok centre, covering five floors of Nusasiri Grand Condo Sukhumvit-Ekamai, is the first medical mall in Thailand and was officially opened yesterday.
Healthcare and beauty clinics, as well as medical shops, including Chirofit Chiropractic Clinic, Romrawin Clinic, DNA Clinic and Metta International Eye Centre, have leased all of the available space at the resort.
Siriya said Nusasiri was expected to generate rental revenue of Bt80 million monthly.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
BUSINESS WITH A KICK
Virapol Gym builds a global reputation for Muay Thai training, writes Somporn Thapanachai
Muay Thai or Thai boxing is a well-known martial art worldwide and many gyms offer training in cities across the globe. But Thailand is still by far the best place to learn the demanding art, and the best-recognised training centre in the heart of Bangkok is Virapol Gym.
Located inside the compound of the former Pre-Cadet School on Rama IV Road next to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar,Virapol Gym offers Muay Thai training every day for 600 baht for two rounds, from 7-10 am and 3-7 pm, said owner Nikom Pheisiri.
The gym has trained thousands of foreigners in its five years of establishment. They come from countries as far away as Chile and as close as China and Japan.
Many trainees choose to stay at the gym, which can accommodate up to 50 people at one time in separate male and female dormitories,and pay 300 baht a night.
Mr Nikom,40, said the gym expected to train all comers to be capable in Muay Thai so they can actually use the martial art.
"We have no intention of withholding the knowledge and tricks of Muay Thai.We teach everything to trainees so it's up to their body conditioning to sustain the training as Muay Thai uses all parts of the body. It's tough for students who seriously want to take up this martial art," said the former Thai boxer who has spent many years teaching Muay Thai in other countries.
The majority of students at the Virapol Gym want to take up boxing seriously or become trainers in their own countries,so there are few tourists in the sessions.About half of the students are female.Trainees normally take at least a week to a few months of training. The gym has six trainers.
Mr Nikom said practising Muay Thai can require a long period of training.Foreigners generally start at a much older age than Thai fighters, who usually start training when they are six or seven years old and retire at around 25.
In each round of training, the procedure starts with a Thai oil massage,warm-up and 5-10 kilometres of running to relax the muscles. Jumping rope fo-
lows, and after that shadow-boxing, heavybag boxing, Thai pad training, which involves practice punches, kicks,knee and elbow strikes with a trainer, along with a variety of other moves.The number of trainees each day depends on the situation.
"Trainees do the same things every day. If we find they are good enough, we will send them to test their ability at Lumpini Boxing Stadium," said Mr Nikom,whose trainees will get into the ring this coming Saturday.
He also sends trainees to fight at Thai boxing events in other countries and recently signed a five-year agreement to send fighters to Beijing. His trainees have also fought in several European countries, but he has not yet sent any to the United States despite receiving some requests.
Trainees who join for only a half-day will be charged half the daily rate. A monthly rate of 15,000 baht is also available.
A convenient location allows trainees to spend their free time enjoying Bangkok, but the lease could soon be terminated as the area has been leased to develop a new commercial complex by Central Pattana Plc. Mr Nikom says he has already found a new location to continue his business if this occurs.
Muay Thai or Thai boxing is a well-known martial art worldwide and many gyms offer training in cities across the globe. But Thailand is still by far the best place to learn the demanding art, and the best-recognised training centre in the heart of Bangkok is Virapol Gym.
Located inside the compound of the former Pre-Cadet School on Rama IV Road next to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar,Virapol Gym offers Muay Thai training every day for 600 baht for two rounds, from 7-10 am and 3-7 pm, said owner Nikom Pheisiri.
The gym has trained thousands of foreigners in its five years of establishment. They come from countries as far away as Chile and as close as China and Japan.
Many trainees choose to stay at the gym, which can accommodate up to 50 people at one time in separate male and female dormitories,and pay 300 baht a night.
Mr Nikom,40, said the gym expected to train all comers to be capable in Muay Thai so they can actually use the martial art.
"We have no intention of withholding the knowledge and tricks of Muay Thai.We teach everything to trainees so it's up to their body conditioning to sustain the training as Muay Thai uses all parts of the body. It's tough for students who seriously want to take up this martial art," said the former Thai boxer who has spent many years teaching Muay Thai in other countries.
The majority of students at the Virapol Gym want to take up boxing seriously or become trainers in their own countries,so there are few tourists in the sessions.About half of the students are female.Trainees normally take at least a week to a few months of training. The gym has six trainers.
Mr Nikom said practising Muay Thai can require a long period of training.Foreigners generally start at a much older age than Thai fighters, who usually start training when they are six or seven years old and retire at around 25.
In each round of training, the procedure starts with a Thai oil massage,warm-up and 5-10 kilometres of running to relax the muscles. Jumping rope fo-
lows, and after that shadow-boxing, heavybag boxing, Thai pad training, which involves practice punches, kicks,knee and elbow strikes with a trainer, along with a variety of other moves.The number of trainees each day depends on the situation.
"Trainees do the same things every day. If we find they are good enough, we will send them to test their ability at Lumpini Boxing Stadium," said Mr Nikom,whose trainees will get into the ring this coming Saturday.
He also sends trainees to fight at Thai boxing events in other countries and recently signed a five-year agreement to send fighters to Beijing. His trainees have also fought in several European countries, but he has not yet sent any to the United States despite receiving some requests.
Trainees who join for only a half-day will be charged half the daily rate. A monthly rate of 15,000 baht is also available.
A convenient location allows trainees to spend their free time enjoying Bangkok, but the lease could soon be terminated as the area has been leased to develop a new commercial complex by Central Pattana Plc. Mr Nikom says he has already found a new location to continue his business if this occurs.
MAKE MINE A SPA VACATION
In this economy, we could probably all use a little pampering: a massage, a facial, a pedicure. Perhaps a nice soak in a hot whirlpool.
The spa, new figures show, is one thing we're not giving up, even if it means opting for a cheaper experience and fewer treatments.
The spa, new figures show, is one thing we're not giving up, even if it means opting for a cheaper experience and fewer treatments.
In June, 46 per cent of the 3,200 members of the International Spa Association reported an increase in the number of shorter tretmants of 30 minutes or less, and close to half reported a decrease inthe amount spent per visit compared with the same time last year.
The findings shwo some of the effects the economy is having on the spa industry, which has experienced exponential growth in recent years.
Revenues were up almost 18 per cent in 2008 fromthe previous year to $12.8 billion, according to ISPA's 2009 US Spa Industry Update. The number of spa visits increased 16 per cent and the number of locations rose almost 19 per cent to 21,300 in the US.
But per spa, revenues and vis its were slightly "down", with most travel agents reporting declines in spa travel bookings year-over-year from January through June of this year.
Following are a few of the latest spas trends.
The spa, new figures show, is one thing we're not giving up, even if it means opting for a cheaper experience and fewer treatments.
The spa, new figures show, is one thing we're not giving up, even if it means opting for a cheaper experience and fewer treatments.
In June, 46 per cent of the 3,200 members of the International Spa Association reported an increase in the number of shorter tretmants of 30 minutes or less, and close to half reported a decrease inthe amount spent per visit compared with the same time last year.
The findings shwo some of the effects the economy is having on the spa industry, which has experienced exponential growth in recent years.
Revenues were up almost 18 per cent in 2008 fromthe previous year to $12.8 billion, according to ISPA's 2009 US Spa Industry Update. The number of spa visits increased 16 per cent and the number of locations rose almost 19 per cent to 21,300 in the US.
But per spa, revenues and vis its were slightly "down", with most travel agents reporting declines in spa travel bookings year-over-year from January through June of this year.
Following are a few of the latest spas trends.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
LET YOUR HAIR DOWN
One thing I hate about Siam Square is that it always turns me into an uncontrollable shopper, even if paradoxically there is a part of me that loves being an insane consumerist.I took a half-day off from my daddy's conglomerate (I work as his part-time CEO, for your information) and hopped over to the main shopping paradise in town.
Flamingo, Cocue, Himma, Issue, It's Happened to be a Closet, Dancing Riot, Living Dolls, Dress to Kill, Heidi's Secret, Periphery,8?, Papercuts and The Pencil Sharpener were just some of the shops I visited.
I found myself holding a ton of shopping bags after two hours of splurging (thanks to the magic in some clever plastic card called Black AMEX). I don't normally do this, but today it was an exception (blame it on my chauffeur who abruptly called in sick after he heard I wanted to go to Siam). Never mind him, I can just tell daddy to cut half of his salary for that.
Completely worn out, I had to accept that retail therapy is not always therapeutic. I needed some serious treatment after such mind boggling shopping madness.
As I was considering where to go for a proper spa experience amid Siam Square, thank heavens, I spotted a majestic mustard-yellow building with a sign that read "Novotel". Yeah, must be one in there.
The concierge led me to the elevator and took me to the fourth floor, which houses Tammachart Day Spa. The compact six-room retreat is decked out in a dark wooden hue and boasts a cosy ambience. I went through the treatment menu which includes a myriad spa choices and beauty boosters. But, since I was a bit dazed due to my hysterical spending spree, I opted for the Indian Head Massage (B1,200/60 minutes) hoping that I'd be able to think clearly again afterwards.
The therapist began the treatment with a head massage using warm virgin coconut oil. As I wondered if they use "virgin" oil on clients who are no longer virgins, the therapist combed my hair and separated it in several parts in order to massage the scalp thoroughly.
The pressure was right, while the hot oil was soothing - it unmuddled my mind and made me feel amazingly relaxed. The massage continued with aromatherapy essential oil applied to my neck, back, shoulders and arms, as I enjoyed some serene moments.
Indian head massage is a holistic therapy derived from ancient Ayurvedic techniques and helps promote clear thinking as well as increasing concentration levels. Additionally,I believe it is a real antidote to a brainsick shopping bout.
From Sep 9-30, Tammachart Day Spa celebrates the month of 09/09 with a special promotion of B999 for a 90-minute pampering of Sport Massage or Aroma Relaxing Massage, while the Fitness Centre offers a full-time monthly membership for B999.VOpen daily 8am-midnight. Tammachart Day Spa,4/F,Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square, Siam Square Soi 6.C02-209-8888.
Flamingo, Cocue, Himma, Issue, It's Happened to be a Closet, Dancing Riot, Living Dolls, Dress to Kill, Heidi's Secret, Periphery,8?, Papercuts and The Pencil Sharpener were just some of the shops I visited.
I found myself holding a ton of shopping bags after two hours of splurging (thanks to the magic in some clever plastic card called Black AMEX). I don't normally do this, but today it was an exception (blame it on my chauffeur who abruptly called in sick after he heard I wanted to go to Siam). Never mind him, I can just tell daddy to cut half of his salary for that.
Completely worn out, I had to accept that retail therapy is not always therapeutic. I needed some serious treatment after such mind boggling shopping madness.
As I was considering where to go for a proper spa experience amid Siam Square, thank heavens, I spotted a majestic mustard-yellow building with a sign that read "Novotel". Yeah, must be one in there.
The concierge led me to the elevator and took me to the fourth floor, which houses Tammachart Day Spa. The compact six-room retreat is decked out in a dark wooden hue and boasts a cosy ambience. I went through the treatment menu which includes a myriad spa choices and beauty boosters. But, since I was a bit dazed due to my hysterical spending spree, I opted for the Indian Head Massage (B1,200/60 minutes) hoping that I'd be able to think clearly again afterwards.
The therapist began the treatment with a head massage using warm virgin coconut oil. As I wondered if they use "virgin" oil on clients who are no longer virgins, the therapist combed my hair and separated it in several parts in order to massage the scalp thoroughly.
The pressure was right, while the hot oil was soothing - it unmuddled my mind and made me feel amazingly relaxed. The massage continued with aromatherapy essential oil applied to my neck, back, shoulders and arms, as I enjoyed some serene moments.
Indian head massage is a holistic therapy derived from ancient Ayurvedic techniques and helps promote clear thinking as well as increasing concentration levels. Additionally,I believe it is a real antidote to a brainsick shopping bout.
From Sep 9-30, Tammachart Day Spa celebrates the month of 09/09 with a special promotion of B999 for a 90-minute pampering of Sport Massage or Aroma Relaxing Massage, while the Fitness Centre offers a full-time monthly membership for B999.VOpen daily 8am-midnight. Tammachart Day Spa,4/F,Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square, Siam Square Soi 6.C02-209-8888.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Kii'Z distributor takes the middle ground
Kii'Z-brand bath and body-care products have survived the country's political uncertainty and global economic crisis, thanks to its unique concept: high quality at affordable prices.
Thanyaporn Kunakornpaiboonsiri, founder and marketing director of Kii'Z distributor Fukai Intertrade, said the company was established with capital of Bt1 million in 2007 in the wake of the previous year's military coup.
"That was a tough time to start my first business, during that gloomy market environment. But entering the market at a time of low competition was a good opportunity," she said.
Fukai Intertrade now has four Kii'Z shops, all located in shopping malls, and the high quality of the spa products have been acclaimed.
"Our strong brand and unique concept mean Kii'Z can survive even though the home-spa market is no longer booming," said Thanyaporn.
She said Kii'Z products were different from other spa products, coming in white instead of earth tones, translating into brightness and modernity. They are quality products at affordable prices, sold in high-end locales like CentralWorld, Siam Paragon and Isetan Department Store.
"We need a modern image but with an Asian sentiment, but not too traditionally Thai, as there's already a lot of that in the market. Kii'Z offers happiness and fun, making customers feel truly refreshed, both physically and emotionally," she said.
Kii'Z products cost Bt300 to Bt700 apiece.
Before Thanyaporn came along, the local spa-product market consisted of only two segments: high-end and One Tambon One Product brands. Prices were also of only two kinds: either below Bt200 apiece or nearly Bt1,000 apiece.
This prompted her to market products priced between the two extremes.
"As a newcomer, I decided to start go with both quality and affordability, say between Bt395 and Bt690. That persuaded our target group - middle-upper income earners - to try them out and then become hooked," she said.
Kii'Z also carries a line of non-spa bath and body-care products, including shower massage oil, shower jelly scrub, shower cream and shower gel, with a wide range of essential oils from Thai flowers, fruits and herbs.
The company has spa and hotel customers nationwide and exports the products, both under its own Kii'Z brand and customised, to South Korea, Taiwan, Morocco, India and Brazil.
Exports now account for 10 per cent of sales revenue, and that is expected to rise to 30 per cent next year after the company conducts more roadshows in foreign markets.
Fukai expects to see Bt8 million in retail sales this year and more than Bt15 million next year.
Thanyaporn Kunakornpaiboonsiri, founder and marketing director of Kii'Z distributor Fukai Intertrade, said the company was established with capital of Bt1 million in 2007 in the wake of the previous year's military coup.
"That was a tough time to start my first business, during that gloomy market environment. But entering the market at a time of low competition was a good opportunity," she said.
Fukai Intertrade now has four Kii'Z shops, all located in shopping malls, and the high quality of the spa products have been acclaimed.
"Our strong brand and unique concept mean Kii'Z can survive even though the home-spa market is no longer booming," said Thanyaporn.
She said Kii'Z products were different from other spa products, coming in white instead of earth tones, translating into brightness and modernity. They are quality products at affordable prices, sold in high-end locales like CentralWorld, Siam Paragon and Isetan Department Store.
"We need a modern image but with an Asian sentiment, but not too traditionally Thai, as there's already a lot of that in the market. Kii'Z offers happiness and fun, making customers feel truly refreshed, both physically and emotionally," she said.
Kii'Z products cost Bt300 to Bt700 apiece.
Before Thanyaporn came along, the local spa-product market consisted of only two segments: high-end and One Tambon One Product brands. Prices were also of only two kinds: either below Bt200 apiece or nearly Bt1,000 apiece.
This prompted her to market products priced between the two extremes.
"As a newcomer, I decided to start go with both quality and affordability, say between Bt395 and Bt690. That persuaded our target group - middle-upper income earners - to try them out and then become hooked," she said.
Kii'Z also carries a line of non-spa bath and body-care products, including shower massage oil, shower jelly scrub, shower cream and shower gel, with a wide range of essential oils from Thai flowers, fruits and herbs.
The company has spa and hotel customers nationwide and exports the products, both under its own Kii'Z brand and customised, to South Korea, Taiwan, Morocco, India and Brazil.
Exports now account for 10 per cent of sales revenue, and that is expected to rise to 30 per cent next year after the company conducts more roadshows in foreign markets.
Fukai expects to see Bt8 million in retail sales this year and more than Bt15 million next year.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
ALL BRUSHED UP AND SHINY
Spa Cenvaree on the 26th floor of Centara Grand at Central World is a city oasis that's luxurious without being overly extravagant. Behind the warmly lit passage are the 14 treatment rooms, decorated simply but eleganitly with wooden furniture in natural tones and offring rejuvenating head to toe treatments for men and women guaranteed to de-stress both body and mind.
There are rooms for singles and doubles as well as for those seeking Thai traditional massage or hydrotherapy with the Vichy rain shower. There are also spacious changing rooms with lockers for him and her, which come equipped with infrared sauna plus a whirlpool with pool beds. Make a point of arriving at least 30 minutes before your appointment so you can relax in this impressive room before your personal therapist leads you away for your treatment.
The spa menu has been revised and the 150-minute "Our Signature Spa Experience" has recently been introduced as the new must-have treatment. This sequenced therapy featurs body brushing, herbal scrub and four-hand massage and starts with a wash with warm water to open the pors and a short foot scrub with neem extract and salt.
Therapist Pitthayaporn Waree begins the reatment with a soft bristle brush, working her way over the whole body for about 20 minutes. Dry body brushing is belived cellulite while exfoliating. It also cleanses the lymphatic system, tightens the skin to prevent premadture ageing and tones the muscles.
"We brush towards the heart and the lymphatic points in order to promote and stimulate blood and lymphatic circultaton," says the therapist.
To promote the scents and bnefits of Thai herbs, the next sequence is called "Siamese herbal scrub" and involves scrubbing the entire body for about 45 minutes with a range of natural remedies includign kaffir lime peel, lemongrass, olive oil, plush plai, turmeric and milk in powder form. The kaffir lime acts as an antiseptic and astringent while lemongrass has anti-bactrial properties. Plai powder softens and tones the skin and relieves muscular aches and pains and turmeric is a good anti-inflammatory. Milk powder softens and cleans and olive oil, which is high in vitamin E, is an excellent antioxidant.
The highlight of the treatment is the four-hand massge performd by two therapists. Pitthayaporn teams up with Tippawan Srisawat in coordinating this blend of soothing aromatic oil, Thai, Swedish, refloxology and shiatsu massage, applying prssure using only the fingers, particularly the thumbs, on points that relate to the central and autonomic nervous systems. The combination of different techniques is said to improve circulation, relieve stiffmuscles and alleviate strees. The pressure can be adjusted so ti meets the needs of the individual.
"The sizes of hands and the warmth of palms of the two therpists should be near in size and degree. I'm an earth element and have warm palms and Tippawan is the same. That makes us perfect partners in giving this kind of massage," Pittayaporn explains.
Once the body is totally relaxd, she turns her attention to my tired legs and feet with a 60-minute "Restorative Foot Therapy", which stimulates blood circulation and the nervs. First, she bathes my feet in neem extract and citrus peel. The treatment starts with a scrub that uses mint and almond oil to remove dead skin and continues with a pressure point massage with warm aromatic oil. A herbal clay mask is then applied and the feet are wrapped in plastic to maintain warmth for 15 minutes, while Pittayaporn applies a gentle massage to my head. The m ask, she explaints, is a combination of din saw pong (white mud) to tighten the skin, ginger to cur skin disase and cloves to improve skin condition. A relaxing foot massage with hto balm ends the session.
Thirty minutes later, I'm back in the chaos of Bangkok's traffic but my body - and my feet - are still in paradise.
>> AT A GLANCE
- The 150-minute "Out Signature Spa Experience" costs Bt3,450. The 60-minute "Restorative Foot Terapy" adds another Bt1,500.
- Call (02) 100 1234 extension 6516 or 6511 or visit www.SpaCenvaree.com.
There are rooms for singles and doubles as well as for those seeking Thai traditional massage or hydrotherapy with the Vichy rain shower. There are also spacious changing rooms with lockers for him and her, which come equipped with infrared sauna plus a whirlpool with pool beds. Make a point of arriving at least 30 minutes before your appointment so you can relax in this impressive room before your personal therapist leads you away for your treatment.
The spa menu has been revised and the 150-minute "Our Signature Spa Experience" has recently been introduced as the new must-have treatment. This sequenced therapy featurs body brushing, herbal scrub and four-hand massage and starts with a wash with warm water to open the pors and a short foot scrub with neem extract and salt.
Therapist Pitthayaporn Waree begins the reatment with a soft bristle brush, working her way over the whole body for about 20 minutes. Dry body brushing is belived cellulite while exfoliating. It also cleanses the lymphatic system, tightens the skin to prevent premadture ageing and tones the muscles.
"We brush towards the heart and the lymphatic points in order to promote and stimulate blood and lymphatic circultaton," says the therapist.
To promote the scents and bnefits of Thai herbs, the next sequence is called "Siamese herbal scrub" and involves scrubbing the entire body for about 45 minutes with a range of natural remedies includign kaffir lime peel, lemongrass, olive oil, plush plai, turmeric and milk in powder form. The kaffir lime acts as an antiseptic and astringent while lemongrass has anti-bactrial properties. Plai powder softens and tones the skin and relieves muscular aches and pains and turmeric is a good anti-inflammatory. Milk powder softens and cleans and olive oil, which is high in vitamin E, is an excellent antioxidant.
The highlight of the treatment is the four-hand massge performd by two therapists. Pitthayaporn teams up with Tippawan Srisawat in coordinating this blend of soothing aromatic oil, Thai, Swedish, refloxology and shiatsu massage, applying prssure using only the fingers, particularly the thumbs, on points that relate to the central and autonomic nervous systems. The combination of different techniques is said to improve circulation, relieve stiffmuscles and alleviate strees. The pressure can be adjusted so ti meets the needs of the individual.
"The sizes of hands and the warmth of palms of the two therpists should be near in size and degree. I'm an earth element and have warm palms and Tippawan is the same. That makes us perfect partners in giving this kind of massage," Pittayaporn explains.
Once the body is totally relaxd, she turns her attention to my tired legs and feet with a 60-minute "Restorative Foot Therapy", which stimulates blood circulation and the nervs. First, she bathes my feet in neem extract and citrus peel. The treatment starts with a scrub that uses mint and almond oil to remove dead skin and continues with a pressure point massage with warm aromatic oil. A herbal clay mask is then applied and the feet are wrapped in plastic to maintain warmth for 15 minutes, while Pittayaporn applies a gentle massage to my head. The m ask, she explaints, is a combination of din saw pong (white mud) to tighten the skin, ginger to cur skin disase and cloves to improve skin condition. A relaxing foot massage with hto balm ends the session.
Thirty minutes later, I'm back in the chaos of Bangkok's traffic but my body - and my feet - are still in paradise.
>> AT A GLANCE
- The 150-minute "Out Signature Spa Experience" costs Bt3,450. The 60-minute "Restorative Foot Terapy" adds another Bt1,500.
- Call (02) 100 1234 extension 6516 or 6511 or visit www.SpaCenvaree.com.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
SPA STORES TO BE LAUNCHED IN BANGKOK
Panviman Group of Resorts will launch two spa stores in Bangkok next month while adding new magnets to its three hotels.
The first spa shop will open in CentralWorld on September 3 and the second in Siam Paragon on September 14.
It will be the first time the group has diversified away from the hotel and resort business.
President Chakarin Chantaravisoot said the company would import two Italian spa product lines, Angel and Mediterranean, to sell in Thailand.
Angel products are aimed at those aged 15-20 and Mediterranean products at general customers more than 20 years old.
"These are all organic products, so we are targeting upper-level customers conscious about their health," he said.
The group expects to sell Bt12 million of the products in the first year of operation.
The group manages its own spa called Viman Spa in the Panviman Hotel in Chiang Mai. All in-house products are called Puviman. The group produces and supplies its spa products to other hotels in Thailand and also to customers overseas.
In the near future, it will open a spa in the Panviman Hotel on Koh Chang in Trat and the Panviman on Koh Pha-ngan in Surat Thani.
A spa academy will be up and running at the Panviman Chiang Mai by year-end to train and certify therapists to serve the spa business.
Recently, the first fish spa was introduced in Chiang Mai and has become a popular new draw.
Panviman Chiang Mai is featuring 42 units priced at Bt7,000-Bt28,000 per night. However, all hotels in Chiang Mai are facing tough times as visitors stay away due to the political instability.
About Bt120 million will be spent to add 45 rooms to the Panviman Koh Chang, which has been open for five years. Also 50 existing rooms will be refurbished by adding pool access. The renovation is expected to be completed within two months.
A posh pub will open at the Koh Pha-ngan hotel by year-end, while 10 pool villas will be added to the scheduled hotel.
Three hotels are on the drawing board for the next few years - on Koh Krud in Trat, in Sriboya in Krabi and on Koh Chang.
"The group hopes the hotel business will recover this coming high season and we are seeing new bookings for that time," Chakarin added.
The first spa shop will open in CentralWorld on September 3 and the second in Siam Paragon on September 14.
It will be the first time the group has diversified away from the hotel and resort business.
President Chakarin Chantaravisoot said the company would import two Italian spa product lines, Angel and Mediterranean, to sell in Thailand.
Angel products are aimed at those aged 15-20 and Mediterranean products at general customers more than 20 years old.
"These are all organic products, so we are targeting upper-level customers conscious about their health," he said.
The group expects to sell Bt12 million of the products in the first year of operation.
The group manages its own spa called Viman Spa in the Panviman Hotel in Chiang Mai. All in-house products are called Puviman. The group produces and supplies its spa products to other hotels in Thailand and also to customers overseas.
In the near future, it will open a spa in the Panviman Hotel on Koh Chang in Trat and the Panviman on Koh Pha-ngan in Surat Thani.
A spa academy will be up and running at the Panviman Chiang Mai by year-end to train and certify therapists to serve the spa business.
Recently, the first fish spa was introduced in Chiang Mai and has become a popular new draw.
Panviman Chiang Mai is featuring 42 units priced at Bt7,000-Bt28,000 per night. However, all hotels in Chiang Mai are facing tough times as visitors stay away due to the political instability.
About Bt120 million will be spent to add 45 rooms to the Panviman Koh Chang, which has been open for five years. Also 50 existing rooms will be refurbished by adding pool access. The renovation is expected to be completed within two months.
A posh pub will open at the Koh Pha-ngan hotel by year-end, while 10 pool villas will be added to the scheduled hotel.
Three hotels are on the drawing board for the next few years - on Koh Krud in Trat, in Sriboya in Krabi and on Koh Chang.
"The group hopes the hotel business will recover this coming high season and we are seeing new bookings for that time," Chakarin added.
Time for hair to get dressed up
Hot trends from a top hairstylist to keep you looking cool
Top hairstylist and global hair ambassador for Pantene,Sam McKnight created four key hair looks on the international catwalks this season. McKnight's hot trends are Future Retro, Neo Knots, Rock 'n' Romance and Maximum Contrast."This is the time for hair to get dressed," said Sam McKnight."The easy, carefree looks that have dominated past seasons have given way to more considered styles that take their cue from fashion. Now, more than ever before, hair plays a pivotal role as part of the total fashion look."
FUTURE RETRO
This trend sees Sam McKnight paying homage to 1980s cult sci-fi movie,Bladerunner , by adding a frisson of femme fatale glamour to the hair. It shows a sleek silhouette with a clean neck and sides, and hair rolled into super-scale cartoonesque kiss curls, or made into modernist 1940s rolls.
The key to these styles is shape and scale - with shoulder pads, complicated neckline details, masculine tailoring and non-linear silhouettes, it is essential for hair to provide the balance to the overall fashion shape.Height and control are the watchwords for these looks.
ROCK 'N' ROMANCE
This look is all about texture.Think of those famous groupies from the Sixties and Seventies and you get an idea of what this look is about."Think Pamela des Barres,Marianne Faithful, even Linda McCartney for this dreamy take on the girls that were 'with the band'," says Sam.
The tousled tendrils of long hair had the appearance of nonchalance associated with those rock muses,as Chanel's romantic drifters echoed the fascination with Edwardiana that informed the original Sixties groupie look, with long dresses and lace detailing. Although the hair appeared casually unstudied, the lasting impression was of a carefully composed look.
NEO KNOTS
Creating knots and spikes is key to this new look. This trend has hairstylists twisting,twining and wrapping hair into a multitude of sophisticated dos.
Tiny knots decorated the crowns of the heads with tiny wispy tails of hair left loose; a grand wrapped knot worn low on the back of the head, and messy topknots slicked back with black stretch hair bands."This season's knots are all about hidden depths," says McKnight.
MAXIMUM CONTRAST
This trend offers two completely contrasting finishes in one look: rough meets smooth for a sophisticated play on dual textured hair."This is about playing with differing scales," says McKnight."That combination of hair slicked close to the head,then fanned out through the lengths gives a sense of control and freedom in one hairstyle."
The look is all about being smooth and sleek: slick, side-parted hair kept close to the head and released into a cascade of length at the back; masculine slicked side panels with the top and lengths left natural;or skull-tight slickness juxtaposed with voluminous lengths.
Celebrity hairstylist SamMcKnight's work has regularly appeared in British Vogue and other international publications since 1980. The accolades for his work are countless. They include a three-year consecutive win in the 1990s for British Session Hairdresser of the Year. He also picked up the coveted "Venus"award in Paris and New York as well as being named Best Session Hairdresser of the Year at the UK Elle Style Awards 2002. The culmination was being named a Global Ambassador for Pantene, a title that he holds today.
Top hairstylist and global hair ambassador for Pantene,Sam McKnight created four key hair looks on the international catwalks this season. McKnight's hot trends are Future Retro, Neo Knots, Rock 'n' Romance and Maximum Contrast."This is the time for hair to get dressed," said Sam McKnight."The easy, carefree looks that have dominated past seasons have given way to more considered styles that take their cue from fashion. Now, more than ever before, hair plays a pivotal role as part of the total fashion look."
FUTURE RETRO
This trend sees Sam McKnight paying homage to 1980s cult sci-fi movie,Bladerunner , by adding a frisson of femme fatale glamour to the hair. It shows a sleek silhouette with a clean neck and sides, and hair rolled into super-scale cartoonesque kiss curls, or made into modernist 1940s rolls.
The key to these styles is shape and scale - with shoulder pads, complicated neckline details, masculine tailoring and non-linear silhouettes, it is essential for hair to provide the balance to the overall fashion shape.Height and control are the watchwords for these looks.
ROCK 'N' ROMANCE
This look is all about texture.Think of those famous groupies from the Sixties and Seventies and you get an idea of what this look is about."Think Pamela des Barres,Marianne Faithful, even Linda McCartney for this dreamy take on the girls that were 'with the band'," says Sam.
The tousled tendrils of long hair had the appearance of nonchalance associated with those rock muses,as Chanel's romantic drifters echoed the fascination with Edwardiana that informed the original Sixties groupie look, with long dresses and lace detailing. Although the hair appeared casually unstudied, the lasting impression was of a carefully composed look.
NEO KNOTS
Creating knots and spikes is key to this new look. This trend has hairstylists twisting,twining and wrapping hair into a multitude of sophisticated dos.
Tiny knots decorated the crowns of the heads with tiny wispy tails of hair left loose; a grand wrapped knot worn low on the back of the head, and messy topknots slicked back with black stretch hair bands."This season's knots are all about hidden depths," says McKnight.
MAXIMUM CONTRAST
This trend offers two completely contrasting finishes in one look: rough meets smooth for a sophisticated play on dual textured hair."This is about playing with differing scales," says McKnight."That combination of hair slicked close to the head,then fanned out through the lengths gives a sense of control and freedom in one hairstyle."
The look is all about being smooth and sleek: slick, side-parted hair kept close to the head and released into a cascade of length at the back; masculine slicked side panels with the top and lengths left natural;or skull-tight slickness juxtaposed with voluminous lengths.
Celebrity hairstylist SamMcKnight's work has regularly appeared in British Vogue and other international publications since 1980. The accolades for his work are countless. They include a three-year consecutive win in the 1990s for British Session Hairdresser of the Year. He also picked up the coveted "Venus"award in Paris and New York as well as being named Best Session Hairdresser of the Year at the UK Elle Style Awards 2002. The culmination was being named a Global Ambassador for Pantene, a title that he holds today.
Gym operators face scrutiny, regulation
The run-away fitness industry is about to be hobbled by the Office of the Consumer Protection Board which is investigating ways to clean up and standardise the contracts they offer to clients.
Having received 748 complaints of unfair and deceptive practices from gym clients since 2005, the OCPB called a public hearing on Monday to discuss the framework for new regulations to control contracts between gym operators and their customers.
The meeting heard fitness industry contracts were unregulated and there were no guidelines to follow.
That meant operators had complete freedom to insert their own conditions into contracts which could put customers at a disadvantage, OCPB deputy secretary-general Teerawat Chantarasomboon said.
"What they are doing is legally correct,but it's unfair," he said."Now it's time the OCPB made this industry a contractcontrolled business."
The OCPB had received complaints from people lured into signing or paying tens of thousands of baht for annual or lifetime contracts without being fully informed of their contractual obligations.
Contract forms were usually presented in tiny print which made it difficult for the clients to inspect.
Consumers were also deceived by sales representatives' tactics by being told,for example, to pick up a free voucher only to be pressured into signing a contract. Many were given false promises.
The majority of customers were cajoled into accepting a one-year contract and were not allowed to terminate it.
Many had their credit cards debited without their consent. In one case, a lifetime member was told he could end the contract only if he were dead or handicapped.
There were also complaints about a lack of standard prices for the same packages offered by each operator. Many clients complained about poor aftersales service and forced changes to packages they had paid for.
Virot na Bangchang, chairman of the Consumer Power Foundation, demanded the OCPB regulate the industry to bring about fairer contracts and give clients more negotiating power, including the right to terminate a contract.
Mr Teerawat said the bureau would review the complaints and input from businesses. Then it would issue a noti-fication to stipulate certain mandatory terms and conditions in contracts.
When the regulations were passed into law, it would make the fitness industry contract-controlled like real estate or financial lending services.
Eric Levine, founder of the listed fitness company California WOW, said it was too early to comment on the move but claimed there was nothing wrong with the industry.
"There are not many complaints,"he said."Our contracts are OK in 13 countries for over 30 years."
OCPB secretary-general Nirote Charoenprakob said it was not a question of the number of complaints but the issue of consumer rights.
"Even if there is just one complaint,we'd investigate it and demand changes if there were unfair conditions," he said.
Having received 748 complaints of unfair and deceptive practices from gym clients since 2005, the OCPB called a public hearing on Monday to discuss the framework for new regulations to control contracts between gym operators and their customers.
The meeting heard fitness industry contracts were unregulated and there were no guidelines to follow.
That meant operators had complete freedom to insert their own conditions into contracts which could put customers at a disadvantage, OCPB deputy secretary-general Teerawat Chantarasomboon said.
"What they are doing is legally correct,but it's unfair," he said."Now it's time the OCPB made this industry a contractcontrolled business."
The OCPB had received complaints from people lured into signing or paying tens of thousands of baht for annual or lifetime contracts without being fully informed of their contractual obligations.
Contract forms were usually presented in tiny print which made it difficult for the clients to inspect.
Consumers were also deceived by sales representatives' tactics by being told,for example, to pick up a free voucher only to be pressured into signing a contract. Many were given false promises.
The majority of customers were cajoled into accepting a one-year contract and were not allowed to terminate it.
Many had their credit cards debited without their consent. In one case, a lifetime member was told he could end the contract only if he were dead or handicapped.
There were also complaints about a lack of standard prices for the same packages offered by each operator. Many clients complained about poor aftersales service and forced changes to packages they had paid for.
Virot na Bangchang, chairman of the Consumer Power Foundation, demanded the OCPB regulate the industry to bring about fairer contracts and give clients more negotiating power, including the right to terminate a contract.
Mr Teerawat said the bureau would review the complaints and input from businesses. Then it would issue a noti-fication to stipulate certain mandatory terms and conditions in contracts.
When the regulations were passed into law, it would make the fitness industry contract-controlled like real estate or financial lending services.
Eric Levine, founder of the listed fitness company California WOW, said it was too early to comment on the move but claimed there was nothing wrong with the industry.
"There are not many complaints,"he said."Our contracts are OK in 13 countries for over 30 years."
OCPB secretary-general Nirote Charoenprakob said it was not a question of the number of complaints but the issue of consumer rights.
"Even if there is just one complaint,we'd investigate it and demand changes if there were unfair conditions," he said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)