The association continues to travel in search of Thai herbal sauna culture. This trip took in five saunas, each with its own character: Kathu Herb Sauna, deep in the jungle; TIRA Herbal Sauna & Spa, built in white and wood around its owner's intentions; Ao Chalong Herbal Sauna, with its powerful wood-fired steam; ILAND Herbal Spa, a luxury resort facility; and Kao Lan Sauna, a neighbourhood sauna that is simply part of local life.

The Thai name for a herbal sauna is op samun phrai, meaning to bathe in herbs on steam, and it has long been part of how people in Thailand keep themselves well. Lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves give the fresh scent; wood-fired plants make the steam; and time passes in the company of the aroma. Each region keeps its own herbs and its own customs.

What stayed with us is that a sauna here is not simply relaxation but a part of daily life — a place where neighbours gather, a tradition carried through herbs, and a stretch of time made of scent, heat and steam.

This is an English summary. The full article was written in Japanese. Original article in Japanese →