“Thailand Health & Beauty Show 2008” Exceeds Expectation

“Thailand Health & Beauty Show 2008” has evidently exceeded expectation as altogether 3,023 trade visitors from 60 countries turned up during the first two days of the annual trade show featuring best products and latest innovations from 300 Thai and international exhibitors. Topping the list of foreign trade visitors were Mexico (66), Japan (61), The Philippines (47), Malaysia (44), and Taiwan (42).

The 10th exhibition of its kind “Thailand Health & Beauty Show 2008” was recently opened at Halls 7-8, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, by Mr. Chaiya Sasomsub, Minister of Commerce. On hand to greet him and visitors from around the globe were Mr. Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce; Mr. Rachane Potjanasuntorn, Director-General of the Department of Export Promotion and representatives of the fair’s supporting organizations.

The Commerce Minister revealed : “Thailand Health & Beauty Show 2008 aims to emphasize the strong potential of the country’s health and beauty industry in the global trade arena. Thailand has earned its enviable reputation in spas business, with thousands of day spas, wellness retreats, luxurious spa resorts and hotels, all of which offer excellent, world-class services in Thainess style. Medical tourism is also a thriving sector, with hospitals and specialist clinics offering value-for-money medical and healthcare services. Ministry of Commerce has continuously supported health and beauty operators to internationalize their businesses through Thai Trade Centers which facilitate licensing and trading globally.”

Minister Chaiya also highly commended on the rising popularity of Thai traditional herbal products, now one of the country’s high-potential business sectors. According to the Herbal Products Association, there are 13,000 plant species in Thailand. The Ministry of Commerce has been working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Ministry of Public Health to further extend the research and development of Thai herbal products for international markets

The health and beauty industry has played a crucial role in pushing Thailand’s economy. The country’s 354 private hospitals earned 35 billion baht from 1.37 million tourists in the previous year while 1,076 spas and Thai massage establishments achieved combined revenues of 14.5 billion baht. Moreover, 175 spa training institutes provide 315 training courses in spa businesses operation.

Now in its tenth year, Thailand Health & Beauty Show is organized by the Department of Export Promotion in the cooperation with private sectors. The annual event aims to promote Thailand health and beauty industry on the world market by the showcasing the finest spa products, cosmetics, Thai herbal products, health food and beverages, medical equipment and health and beauty services.

The approach to complete wellness “Thai-style” is showcased in an exhibition of “Best Practices” which presents the uniqueness of Thai folk wisdom such as body elemental analysis, hot-compress making and Nuad Rachasamnak (Court massage) which is performed only for members in royal families and Thai herbs to relieve various symptoms of illness. Also, a “Spa Academy” exhibition provides diverse operational and management training courses in for spa business.

Also on display is “Design in Thailand Exhibition”, featuring award-winning packaging designs from “Butterfly Award 2008”, health and beauty products with “Classic Design” and packaging design counseling services. The exhibition highlights the benefit of good packaging design in image-building and value creation.

Adding colours to the event are Beauty Business Designer Contests, including hairstyling and make-up artistry, while hair shows and demonstrations by internationally-renowned professional hair stylists are staged. For those seeking greater business opportunities, there are seminars about spas, beauty and fashion trends in Germany, France, Australia, Japan and Korea, as well as B2B matching services to facilitate trade negotiations between exhibitors and international buyers.

“Thailand Health & Beauty Show 2008” will be open until November 9, at Halls 7 and 8, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.