Thailand
Located in the province of Chiang Mai, Baanhom Samunphrai Institute offers massage treatments and introduces visitors to the power of medicinal herbs.
Heading southwest from downtown Chiang Mai, follow the road to Baanhom Samunphrai Massage School. Nestled in a quiet village devoid of hotels, restaurants, or shopping centers, it provides a serene oasis for relaxation. Services include relaxing body massages, aromatic herbal steam baths, and vegan meals. The vibrant garden appeals to casual strollers and botanical enthusiasts alike. Reserve your stay at Baanhom Samunphrai today for a unique experience during your visit to Chiang Mai.
What is the Baanhom Samunphrai Center?
Baanhom Samunphrai School is renowned for its pioneering role in teaching traditional Thai medicine. Beyond students, its mission extends to providing therapeutic herbal massages and sharing this art with interested individuals. Additionally, the center serves as a welcoming rural lodge catering to a diverse clientele, including actors, doctors, professional herbalists, musicians, literary figures, health seekers, plant medicine enthusiasts, and nature lovers. Many are ordinary tourists drawn to its tranquil atmosphere, seeking respite from crowds, hustle, and stress.
Homprang Chaleekanha, the founder
Dr. Homprang, a multifaceted individual, initially trained as a midwife but later pursued her passion for plants through formal study in phytotherapy.
Homprang inherited her herbal healing abilities from family tradition, growing up in a small village on the northern border near Myanmar, where conventional medicine was unknown. Her grandmother was consulted by locals for illnesses and childbirth, passing down herbal knowledge orally through generations.
Homprang Chaleekanha is among the first accredited healers recognized by the state, advocating for the recognition of Thai traditional pharmacopeia as a scientific discipline. The school's certification is validated by the Thai Ministry of Education.
On-site activities
To entice visitors, Baanhom Samunphrai offers a variety of activities:
Wellness treatments
Thai massages are available in various forms: full-body, foot massages, and therapeutic treatments, lasting 120 minutes and 60 minutes, respectively.
Herbal hot bath
Practitioners combine freshly harvested plants from the garden, such as ginger rhizome, tamarind, camphor root, lemon, and eucalyptus extracts, for their aromatic and healing properties.
Incantation ceremony
Homprang begins sessions with an invocation of Shivaga Komarapaj, considered the father of Oriental medicine, followed by specific mantras aimed at invoking healing spirits and warding off malevolent ones.
Culinary experience
Guests can enjoy plant-based meals together in a rustic wooden setting, fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere conducive to creating lasting memories.
Activities in the surroundings
Nearby, guests can explore rice fields, tea plantations, and small Buddhist temples through hiking or visiting the local market, although urban attractions are absent.
Practical information
The best time to visit
Chiang Mai province, home to the massage school, has a tropical climate with high humidity compared to Thailand's southern Gulf. Avoid visiting during the monsoon season. November to February, the beginning and end of the year, are considered ideal.
Reservations
Due to limited capacity, advance booking is recommended. Staff may not be fluent in multiple languages; inquire through Sawa's Discovery agency for assistance.
Getting there
Located 9 kilometers from downtown Chiang Mai, travelers can reach Baanhom Samunphrai by hailing a tuk-tuk, red songthaew, or using a private vehicle for a short 15-minute journey. Ensure you have the establishment's address handy in case the driver is unfamiliar.
