Beauty & Siem Reap: Kim Chun and Sra Thnam, Calm for Body and Mind

2 hours ago

3 min read

One day she decided to change course completely. She closed her bar, the Mezze, in Siem Reap and opened a relaxation and care centre in her small village, away from prying eyes and the bustle of the town. Kim Chun is the founder of Sra Thnam, a range of cosmetics and food supplements.

*An authentic collection with a traditional, handmade feel: oils, shampoos, scrubs, mosquito repellents and face masks*

CM: Could you introduce yourself briefly?

My name is Kim Chun. I'm from Phnom Penh, but I've lived in Siem Reap for seven years. In Phnom Penh I ran a nightclub. I left the capital because nightlife was tiring. Lots of parties, late closing times. When I moved to Siem Reap, I wanted a bit more calm.

CM: Tell us more about your background

When I first arrived in Siem Reap, I opened a bar and a nightclub, and a restaurant on Pub Street. I did that for seven years. It was the only thing I knew how to do. I had done a short hospitality course in Phnom Penh.

CM: And then?

I wanted to do something more interesting. I was tired of that kind of work. It isn't hard, but it wears you out. So I closed and started a new business.

CM: What kind of business?

I opened Sra Thnam, a relaxation centre and spa that uses traditional Khmer methods and products. I set it up near my village, in a traditional house. The village elders know a lot about plants and relaxation techniques, and they kindly taught me. They know especially well the problems that affect muscles and nerves.

CM: What kind of products do you use?

Oils, macerations, plant blends. The preparations are 100% traditional and made in the village. They work quite well.

CM: Why did you choose this line of work?

Because I'm a businesswoman too. I'm often stressed, and I know stress can make you really ill. When business goes badly, you can get sick, very sick. So I think I understand the stress and fatigue of people who work a lot.

*The Sra Thnam range, now developed by Kim*

CM: How was the concept received?

At first people didn't really understand it. This isn't a place where you spend just one hour and the treatment works. When you're stressed, you need a lot of relaxation. Body and mind both need rest. That is the idea behind my salon: easing stress and pain while relaxing the mind.

CM: How is it different from a traditional massage parlour?

The house is a very restful place. After your massage, you're offered a steam bath, a treatment and a few medicinal herb drinks. In a regular commercial parlour, staff push you out after an hour because the next client is waiting. That doesn't happen here. There's a terrace where the drinks are served, and you can stay as long as you need to relax fully. Clients can stay two or three hours for the same price.

CM: You have expanded into selling natural products. Why?

It follows naturally, since we stay in wellness and relaxation. With business slowing down in Siem Reap, it's also a way to keep a small flow of income.

*The Sra Thnam range and one of its product lines*

CM: Do you have staff?

I have four employees, older women from the village who know traditional medicine well. They didn't go to school and have little education, but their knowledge of plants is truly impressive.

CM: What are your starting prices?

Prices start at $25 for a simple treatment. But it's important to come regularly. The effects become steady after three or four sessions. For the cosmetics and supplements, prices range from $7 to $15.

CM: Who are your clients?

Women need this kind of treatment. I've seen that they are often more stressed than men. Our elders have many traditional remedies for small women's health problems, and I encourage women to come. Before the pandemic, we had quite a few expats, some tourists and some Cambodians. It was fine. Not huge crowds, but client numbers grew steadily through word of mouth. I want to keep this place calm and peaceful. I don't want to be overrun. I want regular clients who like the originality and quiet of the place.