Rehab resort where everyone's a winner

A number of well known foreign politicians, sports stars, entertainers, bankers, financiers and business executives have been arriving quietly in Thailand over the past 13 months. They have no entourages with them and shun press coverage _ because that's how they want it.

They are not coming here to conduct secret negotiations or sign lucrative contracts. After arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport, they don't head to a five-star hotel in Bangkok, but instead are taken to a quiet resort in Kanchanaburi province where they will spend 28 days in a small wooden bungalow on the banks of the River Kwai. They are here to undergo drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Just as the clients' identity is shrouded in secrecy, so too is the location of the Channah Thailand Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre opened by Briton Simon Gunn in April, 2008.

''Secrecy and confidentiality are our main concerns, which must be kept to ensure privacy for my clients,'' Mr Gunn stressed.

''If you look at our client list, there are people whose careers would be over as most of them are in the public eye. Especially for our Middle-Eastern clients, the anonymity is very important. Obviously, what they had been doing is illegal in their country. That's why I don't publicise our address or landline telephone number. It is purely to protect our clients.

''Anyway, one day we might be uncovered if someone very famous comes along followed by the press. I must admit that the British media are good in that and they will find us. But if we can make it more difficult for them, then we will do it.''

Mr Gunn says his clients are every colour, race and background and are single, married, straight and homosexual. ''They are not only from the UK but from all over the world like Australia, Bhutan, Canada, Egypt, European countries, India, Pakistan, the Middle East, both expatriates and nationals. We also have expatriates living in Asian countries, including Thailand. The only continent we haven't had a client from is South America.''

He said half the clients worked in high-end banking and finance jobs. ''Others are merchant bankers, traders, CEOs of large companies, people in the entertainment business, not just actors or singers who get into problems but people behind the scenes. We had a famous film director here. However, we also have people like builders, not only VIPs. Anyone can apply to come here,'' he said.

One problem they have to overcome in getting client referrals from overseas is the perception that Thailand has a drug problem. ''I have to spend quite a lot of time convincing them that it is actually harder to get drugs here than in the United Kingdom,'' Mr Gunn said. ''There's the stereotype, like sex tourism, which is there but in a very small part of Thailand. Yes, drugs are around. But I have never been offered drugs in Thailand or seen anyone taking them before my eyes, like in some other countries.''

Mr Gunn says he has 16 years experience in London doing ''similar things'' and had devised a treatment programme using Cognitive Behaviour Training (CBT), which is a collection of different therapies. ''It is really about where you are now, where you want to go, and how you are going to get there.''

His reasons for establishing Channah were both personal and professional. After taking his Thai wife back to England to live, he thought he could do better in Thailand as the administrative costs were less here.

''I visited different areas where expatriates live, like Bangkok and Pattaya, but then I found this place. When I saw this place for the first time, I said to myself this is the place which I dreamed of in England.''

He has just returned from a trip to India and Middle East where he is scouting locations to establish new centres.

At Channah, people are encouraged to stay for a ''short but intensive'' 28-day rehabilitation programme, which is balanced with activities such as badminton, table tennis, golf, swimming and gym workouts.

''We are selling people an alternative lifestyle. What we do is talk. In terms of them coming here, it is like coming to a spa or a yoga retreat, but we specialise in addiction. We help people to work out how to live without alcohol or drugs. That's done by counseling, group work and getting fit,'' he says.

Mr Gunn said most of his clients have alcohol problems. ''People who are alcoholics aren't happy. Alcohol is not the problem, it is the answer that they found to deal with how they fail. What we do is to look for an alternative answer _ to find other ways for them to cope with life without being drunk all the time.''

The centre will not accept people who need medical intervention. Clients are not allowed to go outside without supervision, but occasionally when they get a ''bit restless'' staff will take them shopping, to the market, to a football match or on an excursion.

Mr Gunn said their clients usually tell their families or business associates that they are going on holiday. ''They will take photos of the resort to prove it to them,'' he said.

A typical day starts at 8am in the pool with an aerobic workout, then breakfast followed by group therapy where clients and therapists sit together and talk. They tell their life stories, how they feel, and others give them a feedback. They partake in a one-on-one session with a therapist three times a week.

''Treatment shouldn't be punishment,'' Mr Gunn said. ''In some other places they feel that you shouldn't have television, books or anything like that. I don't agree with that. Many of our clients are very successful business people and they have to be in touch with their businesses.

''Generally we tell them to be in bed by 11.30pm by convincing then they have to be ready for the first session at 8am and therefore, they should get enough sleep. Sometimes we have to take their computer or phone away for a few days to prevent them from sitting up until 4am and not getting up in the morning. It is a seven-days-a-week, 24-hours-a-day job and it is hard work. We have to be alert around the clock.''

The resort comprises 16 self-contained bungalows, each with a bathroom, TV, DVD player, refrigerator and air-conditioning. It has 20 employees _ 16 Thais and four foreigners _ including Mr Gunn. The Thai staff provide security, cleaning, cooking, gardening and act as drivers.

Mr Gunn is still searching for a suitable Thai therapist, which will allow him to accept local clients.

''If you compare the quality of treatment, the accommodation and the program, we are one third of the price to comparable places in the UK and America, but in Thailand it is still expensive,'' he said.

''Most of our clients are alcoholics. If it's drugs, they would use cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, cannabis, etc. Men represent about 70% of our clients, which is the average around the world. Now I have only eight clients. Two clients for one therapist is the limit to ensure the quality of service.''

Mr Gunn said only a few of his clients resorted to drinking or taking drugs after returning home. He said Channah's success rate was about 90%.

On the day Spectrum visited Channah, Mr Gunn gave his clients the day off, sending them on an excursion to protect their privacy. However three clients _ one claiming to be a rock star _ returned early and didn't mind being photographed, provided their faces were not shown.

They appeared relaxed and happy with the environment and treatment. The only complaint they had was about the hot weather. But both agreed that being hot is better than being cold, obviously referring to their native UK.

Mr Gunn said when he was doing rehab work in London, celebrities were not given preferential treatment. But he added that some celebrities underwent rehab simply for the notoriety.

''For many it is like a career move. Some of them want to get a 'bad boy' or 'bad girl' image, so they will go to rehab. There are fine rehab clinics in the UK who cater to celebrities. I am not interested in that because if I name the celebrity then I lose my credibility.

Despite the tough nature of his job, Mr Gunn said he had never lost his temper with a client. ''I was threatened with weapons and syringes in London, but not here.'' he said.