Massage in Thailand

Thailand is a country with many virtues. such as picturesque islands, snow-white beaches, delicious and cheap Thai food and also stunning massages! Thailand is world-famous for its massage and many tourists come here to immerse themselves in a wonderful world of wellness and spa treatments.

You must have heard about sex massage in Bangkok and other major cities, so you can see people roll their eyes and say that most Thai massage parlors are all about those “happy ending” services.

Let us assure you that it’s not true and finding real Asian massage parlor is very easy! Write down the instructions: get out of your hotel, go on a lively street, walk a maximum of 100 meters ... and you are there! But seriously, read our tips on finding the real massage parlor in Thailand and you won’t be disappointed.

What is an Asian massage?

The health benefits of real Thai Massage

History of Thai Massage

How to find a real Asian massage parlor

Most common types of massage in Thailand

Other types of massage

Unusual massage parlors around Thailand

What is an Asian massage?

That’s true that not everyone knows what an Asian massage is. Once I advised my friends who were visiting Thailand to go to a Thai massage parlor and their answer was astonishing, they said they were not interested in “that kind of services”! It turns out that the stereotypes are so strong and a lot of people still understand Thai massage as a sexual service. In this article, we will explain you what an Asian massage and Thai massage in particular really means.

Thai people take pride in their rich heritage of healing art, which originally came from Indian Ayurveda. Thai massage is currently competing with Thai cuisine for the title of the Kingdom's most popular attraction. Unlike most European massage techniques that focus on muscle relaxation, traditional Thai massage focuses on the body’s healing energy.

The health benefits of real Thai massage

Those people who have attended traditional Thai massage sessions feel like they have been reborn. Imagine that you have three batteries but you are only running on one and then a qualified Thai massage specialist activates all your batteries! This happens because the masseur applies pressure to different points, joints and meridians and it has more positive effect for the body that just massaging the muscles.

Classic Thai massage is used for body treatment, as well as stress and tension relief. It helps with pain in the back, numbness of the neck and shoulders, clamps, stagnation, including sports muscle injuries and tendon deformities.

History of Thai Massage

The roots of Thai massage are known to have originated in India 2500 years ago. In the early years of Buddhism in India, Buddhist temples became centers of medical theory and practice. Later, the technique of these centers migrated to Thailand with the spread of Buddhism in the III century BC.

At that time, a man named Shivago Komarpaj was a doctor in one of the royal families and even became a doctor of Buddha. Through his research, he described more than 72,000 energy lines (sen) that pass through the human body and they have become the focal point of traditional Thai massage.

Anatomical diagrams on the walls of Wat Po - a Buddhist temple in the center of Bangkok. Photo credit: dynd, flickr

But how to find a GOOD and REAL massage parlor in Thailand?

Pay attention to the location of the massage parlor

Search for massage parlors on the main streets of a destination city in Thailand, not on side alleys, and dead ends. You don’t want to end up in a massage parlor in some dodgy area!
As for massage services at the hotel, the following question arises: are professional masseurs working there or just the hotel’s staff?

Check out the parlor’s room first

Pay attention to the room, its size, cleanliness, design and particularly the furniture. Good massage parlors in Thailand buy special transformable massage tables that are not cheap and not easy to replicate.
The private room is needed for certain types of massage such as oil massage. If you are offered to do a Thai oil massage in the common room and no curtains are available - leave immediately! This type of massage is done in a separate room or at least in the privacy behind a curtain and you should be offered to change into a special kimono. What you can get in the common room of a Thai massage parlor is feet, head, neck and shoulder massage.
Ask if there is a shower. If not, then after the oil massage you will be offered to wipe with a towel and you’ll most likely want to head back to your hotel and shower as you’ll not feel very comfortable without doing so.

Look at the parlor’s number of staff

A professional will not combine the positions of a masseur and a janitor! Usually, Thai people who invite you for massage in the street combine the functions of an administrator, cashier, cleaner, but don’t do massage themselves.
Pay attention to the uniform. Good massage parlors provide their employees with the uniform.

Physical shape matters!

Pay attention to the physical form of the masseur. This job requires a lot of strengths and if a person is not in good shape, is it unlikely that this massage therapist has the necessary experience and qualification.
Best practices - women from 35 to 45 years. They already have both experience, physical strength, and enough knowledge of body language and stress points to know if you feel comfortable or not.

The price of Thai Massage

Pick a massage place with average pricing. Staff might be new or inexperienced in places that charge lower than average and there is no need to pay more for the same service.
So how to find out this “average” price? The thing is massage in Thailand is priced differently depending on what city you are going to. We found that Thai massage costs anywhere between 200 baht ($7) to 500 baht ($18) an hour.
Extra tips for finding the right massage parlor

If you decided on a massage place, trust them with your feet first. You will feel immediately if it’s worth it or not.
Thai massage parlors are known for providing extra services so you can specify that you want ONLY Thai (or any other) massage for 1 hour.

Planning your ultimate trip to Southeast Asia, but you're strapped for time? Check out our Thailand Itinerary 10 days!

The most common types of massage in Thailand

Thai massage

Classic Thai massage has a healing effect on the body. The procedure itself is unlikely to give you pleasure, as you will be twisted, stretched, and the masseur will their hands, elbows and feet to apply pressure to certain places of your body. The key is to try to relax and let away the tension.

Thai massage has a very beneficial effect on the spine and internal organs even though sometimes you will feel pain. But, as Thais believe, where there is no pain - there is no gain. However, in order to heal and rejuvenate your body with the help of a Thai massage, one session is not enough, you need to do it 4-7 times. Thai massage can be done no more than twice a week!

Thai massage is not recommended if you suffer from varicose veins, diabetes, heart, and vascular diseases, you have serious injuries or you are pregnant.

If you had an injury in the past and it healed well, and you really want to try Thai massage, then at least warn the masseur by marking the problem area with gestures!

In good parlors with professional masseurs and not people from the street, the massage therapist will ask you if it hurts or not – and will apply the pressure based on your reaction. High end places will also include a sheet that you can show where the pain and tension areas of your body are.

Oil massage

Massage with oils has a relaxing and soothing effect, relieves stress, headaches and insomnia. During this massage, you will not feel pain, but only relaxation and pleasure. In an oil massage, not only will a few areas of your body be worked on, but you’ll be massaged from head to toe. This type of massage has no particular contraindications. The main thing to remember: do not eat before the procedure, because everything will be massaged, including the stomach! So the best way to do it is to get oil massage on the empty stomach. The massage is very pleasant and beneficial.

For this type of massage, you need to undress completely. In some parlors, the masseur covers your body with towels (5-6pcs.), so that you do not feel uncomfortable, and carries out the massage by opening one part of the body after another. After oil massage, there is always a feeling of hunger (quality indicator).

Foot massage

In some parlors they wash your feet, in others they wipe them with a warm, damp towel. Both options are acceptable. Sometimes special tools like wooden sticks are used to apply more pressure.

Foot massage is generally relaxing, but some masseurs make it more of a deep tissue massage – it is painful, but helps to reach the desired result.

Thai herbal massage

The masseur will bring something like electric pot to warm up the sacks with herbs. The sacks are about 15 cm in diameter, heavy and with a handle to hold on to. First, the masseur will massage your body through the towel, and then will press the sacks directly on your back. And the further movements will be done with the help of these sacks. The relaxing effect is remarkable, and they apply quite a lot of pressure, so do not think of this as a light massage.

Shoulders and head massage

In Thailand, shoulder massage is not the most important one, so 75% of the time they will go to the head. There are almost no contraindications. This type of massage is meant for relaxation and to sooth the mind and soul. Personally, I almost fell asleep. Hand massage is also included in this procedure. If desired, in good parlors they can also wash your hair.

Other types of massage

Massage with aroma oils is more expensive and essentially the same as an oil-massage, but with the addition of 2-3 oils of choice. We don't see the point for paying much more, as you might not even feel the fragrance of aroma oils unless your upper body is massaged.
"Honeymoon massage" is sometimes combined with spa treatments. The main differences: a beautiful setting, the couple is massaged on the adjacent tables at the same time. Not all parlors practice that.
"Massage with 4 hands." It's usually an Oil massage and is more expensive.
Massage with the use of objects: sticks, pebbles, herbal bags, balls, etc. It does not give special advantages, but you will feel new sensations.
“Fish Massage” which can hardly be called a massage and is known to everyone who has ever been to Thailand. Sit down and lower your legs in the aquarium, and let “hungry” fish do their job. We don’t recommend it for those who are very ticklish!

Not typical massage parlors in Thailand

We already gave you tips on how to find a good massage parlor in Thailand. Now we are going to recommend you some real Asian massage parlors that are unique and stand out from others.

Bangkok

Wat Pho

Wat Pho is not only an ancient temple but is also considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage with fundamental massage guidelines. Massage skills were honed and cultivated at Wat Pho for centuries, so you are in really good hands…literally! Wat Pho also has a school, so you have an opportunity to take a course in massage! We recommend that you book a massage before you go to the temple. An hour of traditional Thai massage costs 420 THB ($13USD), but the price is worth it to experience your own piece of history.

If you opt for a traditional Thai massage wear something loose, as you don’t take your clothes off during this type of massage. Alternatively, you will be provided something to change to.

In addition to the price above you also need to add on the cost of entry to Wat Pho (currently 100 THB or $3USD).

Location:
2 Sanamchai Road, Phra Borommaharachawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10020 (Immediately south of the Grand Palace)
Getting There:
By Taxi: Ask the driver to take you to Wat Pho (or Wat Phra Chetuphon as it is known to most Thais)
By MRT: The closest station is Hua Lampong; take a taxi from there.
By Boat: Take the Chao Phraya River Express to Tha Thien, the closest stop from Wat Pho.
Opening Hours:
Open every day from 8:00 – 18:00 hrs.

Massage by the Blind

It is believed that due to the lack of vision, blind masseurs are more in sync with their bodies and can provide better treatment. It is also an excellent source of income for blind people, who often struggle to find work in Bangkok. The Foundation for the Employment of the Blind in Bangkok created a massage parlor to provide a source of income for blind people, who often struggle to find work. Thai massage here is extremely good with only 200 Baht per hour ($6USD). Masseurs are very friendly, and you will relax and enjoy the experience.

Location: 2218/86 Chan Road, Chongnontri Yannawa, Bangkok (02 678 0763)
Getting There: By taxi or by taking the BRT from Chong Nonsi Station to Thanon Jan (Chan Road).
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 20:00
Phone number: +66 (0) 2 678 0763)

Perception Blind massage

On the pricier end is Perception Blind massage, the cost of one-hour Thai massage being 450 THB. This massage parlor has excellent Tripadvisor reviews. It is also more modern and the appointment can be made online.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Women's Correctional Institution

The concept is to help women prisoners adapt to life after release from prison by teaching them a new profession. This place has been open for 14 years and inmates are selected and trained scrupulously. Here you can only get body massage or foot massage for a rate of 200 THB per hour($6USD). Prisoners receive 50% of the money they generate which will help them get a fresh start after prison.

You can not make an appointment, so we recommend coming there as early as possible as a lot of people willing to attend this massage institution.

Location: 100 Rachawithi Road, Siriphum T, Muang Chiang Mai.
Phone: 053-21-0824
Opening hours: Mn-Fd from 8 am to 4:30 pm; St-Sun from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Alternatively, visit Women's Massage Center by Ex-Prisoners with polite and helpful staff, and high-quality Asian massage services.

Yam Khang fire massage at Ban Rai Kong Khing village

Thai Traditional Fire Therapy or Yam Khang is an ancient massage style that is found in northern Thailand.

This healing practice uses heat, oils, and only the feet to massage the body of the patient. Yam Khang massage is a rare find and you can get one in Ban Rai Kong Khing which is a small village located in the Hang Dong District outside of Chiang Mai.