Chiva-Som is a luxury wellness resort founded in 1995 by Thai businessman and politician Boonchu Rojanastien in Hua Hin, Thailand. The name translates to 'Haven of Life' in Thai. Rojanastien was inspired by his experiences at European health farms in the 1970s and originally conceived the property as a private weekend retreat from Bangkok. When it opened to the public, Chiva-Som became one of the first dedicated wellness resorts in Asia, combining traditional Thai and Eastern healing practices with Western medical and wellness approaches.
The resort occupies seven acres of beachfront land on the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 185 kilometers south of Bangkok. The property features 54 rooms and suites, a hydrotherapy suite, flotation pool, bathing pavilion, kinesis studio, and an extensive spa with over 70 treatment rooms. Chiva-Som's wellness programs are organized into retreats covering areas such as natural detox, stress management, weight management, fitness, and holistic anti-aging. Each retreat is supervised by a team of wellness practitioners, physicians, nutritionists, and therapists.
Following the passing of founder Boonchu Rojanastien, his son Krip Rojanastien assumed the role of Chairman and CEO in 2007. Under his leadership, the brand expanded internationally with the opening of Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar, the largest wellness destination in the Middle East. Chiva-Som has received over 150 international wellness and spa awards throughout its history. Nightly rates at the Hua Hin property typically start above $400, with multi-day retreat packages forming the primary booking model.