NEWS
Virgin opens Siam Discovery club in Thailand
POSTED 22 Aug 2016 . BY Deven Pamben
The global gym chain was founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1999
Virgin Active has opened its Siam Discovery leisure club in Thailand.

The club is the first of up to 20 new centres planned to open in the next six years. Siam Discovery is Virgin Active’s fourth club in Thailand and will build on the company’s ambitious plans to invest up to 5.2 billion Thai Baht (£115 million) in the country, creating up to 1,500 new jobs.

The company also plans to invest an additional 100 million Singapore dollars (£55m) in Singapore, as the Virgin Active brand expands its presence in Southeast Asia.

Joining its clubs in Empire Tower, EmQuartier and Westgate, Virgin Active Siam Discovery covers more than 5,000sq m, and is one of the largest members-only fitness clubs in Asia.

It offers an air-conditioned 20-metre indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, an ice room and Himalayan salt inhalation room. Club lounges will serve healthy meals and offer free Wi-Fi and computer stations, as well as business meeting pods and sleep pods.

The club will also boast the largest indoor climbing wall in Thailand, as well as the company’s second Altitude studio set to mimic training conditions at 3,000 metres above sea level - higher than Thailand’s highest point, Doi Inthanon at 2,565 metres. The club also features a multi-sensory mind and body studio where members can take part in hot yoga ‘under the setting sun’, as well as The Grid - a training zone - and a bespoke boxing studio.

Matthew Bucknall, president and founder of Virgin Active, said: “The resounding success of our first three clubs shows that we are creating an unrivalled health and fitness club offering in Thailand. It sets a strong foundation for our ambitious plans to grow the number of clubs we have here and across South East Asia, and we’ve already identified six new sites for 2017.”

Virgin Active’s next club will open in Bangkok’s new Central Festival East Ville. It will feature Asia’s first fully dedicated children’s fitness facilities incorporating the latest junior activities, which will include ‘learn to swim’ programmes from the UK and Australia.

Bucknall is convinced that clubs in Southeast Asia will transform the region’s fitness market, appealing to a new wave of consumers who want more from their workouts and to be part of the brand.

As part of the Siam Discovery opening, the company will also unveil its new logo. The logo will be rolled out as new clubs open in Bangkok, London, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town and Milan.

Tim Carter, Virgin Active Group brand director said: “Since our first club opened in 1999, we have brought innovation to health and fitness club users the world over, disrupting the status quo as only Virgin brands can.

“With this in mind we are revolutionising our brand and amplifying the Virgin values that sit at the heart of our business. We’ll soon start to extend our revamped identity into new territories and across all existing channels. It’s the next step in our growth, with a lot more surprises to come.

“As one of the world’s most exciting fitness hubs, Bangkok was the obvious choice for this unveiling and signals our exciting growth plans in the region.”

RELATED STORIES
  Nuffield Health completes purchase of 35 Virgin Active sites


Nuffield Health has become the UK’s second largest fitness provider after completing a deal to acquire 35 Virgin Active clubs.
  Virgin Active rules out move towards ‘hyper-exclusive’ health clubs


Despite plans to increase the number of premium clubs in its portfolio, Virgin Active has ruled following the likes of Fitness First into the ‘hyper-exclusive’ end of the health club market.
  Virgin Active to expand Asia Pacific portfolio


UK-based Virgin Active has announced it will invest £150m in expanding its portfolio across South East Asia.
  Branson reveals plans for major Virgin Active international expansion


Virgin Active founder Sir Richard Branson has announced that the gym chain is gearing up for a major international expansion over the next three years.
 


CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
Leisure Management - Virgin opens Siam Discovery club in Thailand ...
08 Jun 2026 Leisure Management: daily news and jobs
 
 
HOME
JOBS
NEWS
FEATURES
PRODUCTS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
PRINT SUBSCRIPTION
ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
Sign up for FREE ezine
Latest news

22 Aug 2016

Virgin opens Siam Discovery club in Thailand
BY Deven Pamben

The global gym chain was founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1999

The global gym chain was founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1999

Virgin Active has opened its Siam Discovery leisure club in Thailand.

The club is the first of up to 20 new centres planned to open in the next six years. Siam Discovery is Virgin Active’s fourth club in Thailand and will build on the company’s ambitious plans to invest up to 5.2 billion Thai Baht (£115 million) in the country, creating up to 1,500 new jobs.

The company also plans to invest an additional 100 million Singapore dollars (£55m) in Singapore, as the Virgin Active brand expands its presence in Southeast Asia.

Joining its clubs in Empire Tower, EmQuartier and Westgate, Virgin Active Siam Discovery covers more than 5,000sq m, and is one of the largest members-only fitness clubs in Asia.

It offers an air-conditioned 20-metre indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, an ice room and Himalayan salt inhalation room. Club lounges will serve healthy meals and offer free Wi-Fi and computer stations, as well as business meeting pods and sleep pods.

The club will also boast the largest indoor climbing wall in Thailand, as well as the company’s second Altitude studio set to mimic training conditions at 3,000 metres above sea level - higher than Thailand’s highest point, Doi Inthanon at 2,565 metres. The club also features a multi-sensory mind and body studio where members can take part in hot yoga ‘under the setting sun’, as well as The Grid - a training zone - and a bespoke boxing studio.

Matthew Bucknall, president and founder of Virgin Active, said: “The resounding success of our first three clubs shows that we are creating an unrivalled health and fitness club offering in Thailand. It sets a strong foundation for our ambitious plans to grow the number of clubs we have here and across South East Asia, and we’ve already identified six new sites for 2017.”

Virgin Active’s next club will open in Bangkok’s new Central Festival East Ville. It will feature Asia’s first fully dedicated children’s fitness facilities incorporating the latest junior activities, which will include ‘learn to swim’ programmes from the UK and Australia.

Bucknall is convinced that clubs in Southeast Asia will transform the region’s fitness market, appealing to a new wave of consumers who want more from their workouts and to be part of the brand.

As part of the Siam Discovery opening, the company will also unveil its new logo. The logo will be rolled out as new clubs open in Bangkok, London, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town and Milan.

Tim Carter, Virgin Active Group brand director said: “Since our first club opened in 1999, we have brought innovation to health and fitness club users the world over, disrupting the status quo as only Virgin brands can.

“With this in mind we are revolutionising our brand and amplifying the Virgin values that sit at the heart of our business. We’ll soon start to extend our revamped identity into new territories and across all existing channels. It’s the next step in our growth, with a lot more surprises to come.

“As one of the world’s most exciting fitness hubs, Bangkok was the obvious choice for this unveiling and signals our exciting growth plans in the region.”




Connect with
Leisure Management
Magazine:
View issue contents
Sign up:
Instant Alerts/zines

Print edition
 

News headlines
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale   08 Jun 2026

Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver .... more>>

Orangetheory set for Italian expansion and Technogym tie-up
Orangetheory set for Italian expansion and Technogym tie-up   08 Jun 2026

Purpose Brands has announced its entry into the Italian market, having sold the franchise rights for four Orangetheory Fitness studios to Icon .... more>>

Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad
Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad   08 Jun 2026

Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in .... more>>

Fitness First adds red light therapy to relaxation classes
Fitness First adds red light therapy to relaxation classes   08 Jun 2026

Fitness First UK is integrating red light therapy into its yoga and Pilates classes through a partnership with Bon Charge.

....
more>>
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre   07 Jun 2026

Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and .... more>>

Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination   05 Jun 2026

A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating .... more>>

Company profile


The Fitness Group Education

The Fitness Group is the UK’s Leading Fitness Education Training Provider.

View full profile>>

Catalogue gallery


Featured Supplier

Endospheres' new protocols are designed to meet real client needs

Endospheres' new protocols are designed to meet real client needs

Spa professionals see it every day: clients are arriving with more complex expectations. More>>




in this issue

• Virgin gets right to wipe out rent arrears
• Fitness industry mourns passing of Jan Spaticchia
• STA offers mindfulness resources



Latest jobs

Jobs Search



Membership Advisor
Salary: Competitive salary plus commission & benefits
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
Customer Service Advisor
Salary: Competitive
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
GP Exercise Referral Instructor
Salary: £33,000pa + benefits
Location: Harrow
Company: Everyone Active
Diary dates
Powered by leisurediary.com

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland







Published by Leisure Media Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 | Contact us | About us | © Cybertrek Ltd