Entertainment magazines are packed full with reports of rock stars, actors and the occasional politician derailing on drugs or alcohol and landing themselves in famous rehab facilities such as The Canyon in Malibu California or London’s Priory. But now some of these public figures can escape the prying eyes of the paparazzi and brutal comments of tabloid reporters by retreating to Thailand where they can discretely overcome addictions with their dignity intact. And it’s not only…
Entertainment magazines are packed full with reports of rock stars, actors and the occasional politician derailing on drugs or alcohol and landing themselves in famous rehab facilities such as The Canyon in Malibu California or London’s Priory. But now some of these public figures can escape the prying eyes of the paparazzi and brutal comments of tabloid reporters by retreating to Thailand where they can discretely overcome addictions with their dignity intact. And it’s not only the rich and famous who are doing it.
“People come to Thailand for anonymity,” says Wade Dupuis of Channah Thailand in Kanchanaburi Province. “You can avoid the stigma of rehab by saying you simply went on holiday. We get clients from all over the world – a lot from the Middle East, a few from the UK and America and many expats living in Asia."
“In the last 18 months we’ve had clients from 24 different countries across four continents,” says Stephen Russell of Breathing Space Thailand in Chiang Mai. “This programme really does have international appeal. Some people may have travelled here as tourists at some point in the past. They might have a frame of reference on the Thai tourist experience, so for many people they feel it would make an excellent location for their addiction recovery.”
Rehabilitation tourism is a growing buzz in Thailand as the latest development in a growing list of professional medical services available throughout the kingdom. Thailand already enjoys international acclaim for superb medical and spa services. Over the last five years holistic wellness, detoxification and weight loss programmes have grown fast both in terms of popularity and accessibility, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services are springing up off the back of this sector. Thailand hosts a number of centres that offer Hollywood-style services and expert treatments that have attracted celebrities, politicians, business people and professionals from around the world.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
