Roong Aroon Hot Springs — 'Dawn Hot Springs' — is a geothermal spring in the Thai highland region whose poetic name evokes the gentle luminosity of dawn, suggesting a spring visited in the early morning hours when the mist is still on the hills and the geothermal steam mingles with the cool morning air to create an atmospheric scene of natural beauty. Hot springs named after the dawn or morning hours are common across Southeast Asia, where the early morning visit to a hot spring — before the heat of the tropical day — is a beloved wellness ritual. The spring offers warm, naturally mineralised water in an evocative dawn setting.
Insider tip — Adjacent to the larger San Kamphaeng hot spring complex east of Chiang Mai, Roong Aroon channels geothermal water through landscaped pools set in a botanical garden. The water temperature is kept at a comfortable 40°C through mixing, and the mineral content is light enough for sensitive skin. Traditional Thai herbal treatments using the thermal water are available on-site. Morning visits in the cool season are particularly atmospheric, with steam rising through the misty forest canopy.
