Traditional Thai massage, Bangkok

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These are what we love most! We tried as many places as we can for almost every night…After at least an hour of massage, we went home & prepared ourselves for the next day…These feet are ready to walking again! Don't miss it when you’re in Thailand!

There is nothing more relaxing than a foot massage after a long day of sightseeing! I've been to this foot massage parlor just at the entrance of pat pong street but don't remember its name. The parlor is lined with lazy boys on the left and right. It is a one hour experience that you will never forget. At the end of the foot massage (from knees to feet) session, you are also given a quick head and shoulder massage. Not to be missed. Cost 250 BHT plus a 100 BHT well earned tip. I've had another foot massage at one of the parlors in MBK mall but was not half as good as this one.

I went to the South Sathorn road branch of this spa. Upon entering the building i was quite disappointed. The lobby was very noisy, packed with people, the receptionists busy on the phone or talking to someone. It didn't give me this peaceful feeling you should get upon entering a spa nor did it have the beautiful smells most of the Thai spas have. We were taken to their inside hall where we took off our shoes and wore slippers and then we were escorted to our separate massage rooms through a very long corridor lined with rooms on the left and right (very hotel like). The rooms were clean, each containing a shower. The two masseuse were waiting outside our doors until we took off our clothes and you could hear their very loud conversation and laughs.. The massage itself was good but the whole experience was far below my expectations. It gave me a feeling of "mass production" product. The price was very cheap comparing to a similar massage anywhere else but when i go for a massage, it is the overall experience i have to be content with.

If you want to experience a fabulous example of traditional thai massage in Bangkok then head over to the Shangrala Hotel. When you enter ask someone to direct you to the office tower. ( It's a little hike from the entrance). When you find the elevator head to the tenth floor to Maiden Massage. When you enter order two attendents for a two hour session. To give you an idea of the cost, my son, brother and myself had two attendents for two hour sessions EVERYDAY in Bangkok. for under $100. No point in descibing the incredible bliss of the experience, words won't do the experience justice. Don't cheat yourself go for it!!!!!!!!!

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You couldn't possibly visit Thailand and not go for at least a session. Amen.

Wat Pho and Marble House are already famous spots to grab good, clean, decent Traditional Thai massages. On the advice of a local friend, I decided to try out Health Land Spa. "Value for money", she claimed. And as always, the guru is never wrong. Amen.

As I was near Patpong, my entourage decided to have a go at the Sathorn main branch. The exterior of the building glowed amberish in the evening. Inside, I find more glowing bodies. Contented looking folks, seemingly walking on air. Amen.

My group opted for the Traditional Thai Massage. It was 450 Bahts for 2 hours. Compared to the price back home, it was practically a steal. Amen.

We were made to exchange our dirty shoes and sandals for Japanese style footwear in the outer waiting room and then our masseuses guided us to our room where all 5 of us will be getting our massages in group privacy...but not before you get out of those stinky clothes and don airy pyjamas. Very soon, the soothing humming of the air-con and the experienced hands of the masseuses were kneading each of us towards heaven. One of my mate fell into a snoring slumber, much to our amusement. Amen.

The massage ends with a serving of a sweet infusion, brewed I suspected from pandan leaves with a touch of lemongrass and ginger. A most wonderful way to end 2 hours. Amen.

CHOICES (Nov 07):
Aromatherapy Body Massage: 850 Bahts/1.5 hrs
Traditional Thai Massage: 450 Bahts/2 hrs
Body Polish: 750 Bahts/1 hr
Ayuravedic Massage: 300 Bahts/1 hr
Facial Treatments: 1500 Bahts/1 hr
Thai Herbal Compress: 750 Bahts/2 hrs
Foot Reflexology: 250 Bahts/1 hr
Tourmaline Sauna: 300 Bahts/1 hr

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Healthland massage is the best massage centre I've ever seen this place was gi-normous. Huge.

The centre is not one of those shop front places where there is little than a matress and a curtain. Here you are taken from the foyer into a reception area to change your shoes. Then you'll be introduced to your masseuse and escorts upstairs to a private room which can handle upto 3 people at one time.

Now from here you'll be given the robes to change into and then the massage commences.

I went for the 2 hour traditional thai massage both times. Brilliant value at the cost of 450 baht.

After the massage you change and are given a soothing jasmine green tea before departure.

It's open until 12am. But arrive before 10pm if you want the 2 hour massage. I went twice. It seems to be real busy about 9pm.

Ruen -Nuad is a charming wooden house with partitioned massage stations. We have some problem to find out where it was the place(there were no numbers in the buldings) but finally it was very a very nice place.
1 hour traditional massage 350 B, foot 350B

When you're a Thailand, you must try the massages. They're not very expensive, I think it's about 250 baht for a foot massage. It's stated Foot Massage but they do massage up to your thighs a little and give you a good (though short) back and head massage too.

The 'heavier' massage ladies tend to massage better!! Must GO.

One of the main attractions of going to Thailand is their affordable and therapeutic Traditional Massages. I have various kind of massages (of the non-sexual kind) and my feelings about them are as follow:

1. On my first evening in Bangkok, I tried the "Foot Reflexology Massage" at one of the most recommended orthordox palours in Bangkok, Marble House, and it was good. It melted away most of the fatigue felt in my feet after a full day of shopping. The 1 hour session cost 300 Baht (not including tips of 100 Baht).

2. On my second day, my friends and I visited Wat Po, and so tried out the massages at their very famous "Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School", where a lot of Traditional Thai Masseuse and Masseurs learnt their craft from. It was really fantastic!

After enjoying an 1 hour session of the Traditional Thai Massage with Ayurvedic Herbs, I felt very relaxed and calm. They also do "outside visits", but its more expensive at 980 baht, despite the slightly longer 1.5 hours session. The 480 Baht paid for the 1 hour session is a steal in my opinion.

The steamed Ayurvedic Herbs are quite hot though and after compressing your skin with it, it leaves a liquid residue that turns cold really fast due to the air-con blowing on it. If you think you will be uncomfortable with this, then just try their Traditional Thai Massage (without the Ayurvedic Herbs) at 350 baht..

Do note that the school has 2 massage centres, one within Wat Po itself, and another air-conditioned one a short walk away in Sanamchai Road.

3. On my third evening, I went for a 2 hour Thai Oil Massage at Marble House again and experienced the worst massage ever!!! I have another tip under the section of "Tourist Traps" which provides the details of this torture session I received and paid 1000 Baht for.

Oh you simply MUST get a traditional Thai massage. There is nothing like it in the world, and this from a girl who gets a home massage at least once a month and visits a spa about once every 3 months. It is unbelievable and an experience you will never forget. I came out feeling brand new!

The Healthland Spa is the perfect place for this indulgement. It's a large luxurious establishment with 7 floors of private rooms and a very competent staff. It is open from 9am to 11pm.