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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.