Traditional Thai massage, Bangkok

1 more image

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

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.

Imagine after a hard day work...er..i mean shopping and walking. =) There's someone massaging and soothing your tired muscles.
Isn't it great? =)

There are a few types of massage, most common ones are the Thai Massage or Aromatic Massage. For the former, if you have a low threshold for pain ( like me!!), pls request the masseur to go gently on you, it involves a lot of stretching of your limbs for Thai Massage. You would be surprised at how strong these Thai ladies are!!!

For Aromatic Massage, it's more gentle...no 'kong fu' involved definitely.

Prices for one session ranges from about 250 Thai Baht to 500 Baht.

Enjoy!

(date visited - Feb. 11, 2004)

Plan's Massage Center

1. Thai Massage - THB 140/hour
2. Swedish (Oil) Massage
3. Foot Reflexology
4. Herbal Massage
5. Massage Courses

Working time: 7 am - 00:15 am

Having a massage from a fat and heavy Thai girl made me laugh so much....I felt the pain too ' coz she was pressing my body too hard and I could not breath at all.....Thanks God I'm still alive....wanna try it?

(date visited - Feb. 11, 2004)

My Japanese friend Hiroto has a Thai friend who's working in this spa clinic and we were able to see the rooms.

Sikhara Spa - too expensive but it is really relaxing and the ambience is really magnificent!!!

Treatment Menu Massage:
1. Back Massage - 30 minutes
2. Thai Massage - 50/110 mins.
3. Indonesian Massage - 50/80 mins.
4. Hawaii Massage - 50/80 mins.
5. Sport Massage - 50/80 mins.
6. Aromatehrapy massage - 50/80 mins
7. Reflexology massage - 50 mins.
8. Thai Herbal massage - 80 mins.
9. Firming and Anticellulite massage - 50 mins.

Body Treatment:
1. Aroma Salt Scrub - 50 mins.
2. Fresh Coconut Body Scrub - 45 mins.
3. Tamarind Body Scrub - 45 mins.
4. Honey & Sesame Seeds Rub - 50 mins.
5. Mud Body Mask - 50 mins.
6. Cucumber Wrap - 45 mins.
7. Bath Tab - 30 mins.

Facial Treatment:
1. Pro-collagen Facial Treatment - 55 mins
2. Whitening Facial Treatment - 55 mins
3. Revitalizing Facial Treatment - 55 mins
4. Lifting and Anti-Wrinkle Facial -80 mins
5. Siam Honey Facial Treatment - 55 mins
6. Deep Cleansing Facial Treatment - 55mins.

1 more image

I love to get massage, and there's my favorite place in Silom road near Patpong. This place is across the Silom street to a building called United Center Building, where Siam Commercial Bank is located and a bakery called "Delifrance" in at the ground floor.

There is a small spa called "Sense Of Spa". Because I go to Silom often, and this place is cheap at daytime (They do happy hour until 3 PM for Thai massage), I like to get thai massage there. This is a small spa, but really quiet and you can get a clean single room to get massage. And at the daytime discount price, it's only 400 Baht, almost same price as street massage parlors, but with a single VIP room with orchid flowers on the sheet, background spa music during massage, this is just a best value for money. Also, if you are a lady looking for facial treatment, this place is famous for it's Decleor facial treatment courses.

Sometimes I try aromatherapy oil massage, and that's also great. My favorite therapist is called "Khun Rat", a small friendly lady but with a long years of therpist experience. (I forgot how old she is, but she was somewhere in late 30s).

Tired of Shopping? Walking and Sight Seeing? Well, its time for you to have the foot massage. There are lots of massage parlors in Bangkok that offer this kind of service. Very soothing and relaxing to your feet. They use scented oils and lotion.

Price ranges from 200-350THB

Spas and salons offering traditional Thai massage are as common in Bangkok as fruit vendors and dance remixes of 'My Humps'. Finding a location is not difficult, though discovering a high quality place that suits your particular fancy sometimes requires a bit of guidance. Many of the city's fine hotels these days sport their own lavish in-house spas too, where you'd be able to enjoy a wide range of spa and massage treatments. Also have a look at the advertisers on this page who are offering some great specials.

If you want to try the real thing, Wat Po (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha) offers Thai massage in its most traditional form, taken from the original inscriptions in stone commissioned by King Rama III, great-grandfather of the present king. The easiest way to get to Wat Po is by boat. Take the Chao Phraya River Express to the Tha Thien pier, then walk through the market and up the short street. Wat Po is directly across the intersection, on your right. On the left is the rear wall of the Grand Palace.

Open: 08:00 - 17:00 (massage available until 18:00).
Location: Maharat Road, about a half mile south of the Grand Palace
(Visitors must pay an entrance fee of 20 baht at the booths just inside the north or south, entrances.)

video from youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyFQpWcpa9Q&feature=related

Want to pamper yourself more? Try the fampus Thai Massage and Body Spa

There are numerous massage parlors and Spa centers which offer this kind of service. Most of the hotels offer in-room service so it will be less hassle on the part of the client.

Price ranges from 800THB-up (depending on the package you will avail)

1 more image

Wat Pho houses a venerable Thai massage school where the pupils are "unleashed" on willing temple visitors to practice what they have learned.

It is all perfectly decent, friendly, well visited by locals and tourists alike, inexpensive (though more so than the abundant high street options of less predictable quality and nature) and absolutely recommendable before, during or after a long day of visits in BKK. I recommend the 1,5 h massage with herbs (the herbs are sponged on your body in form of a fragrant hot lotion during the process. The lotion is a bit sticky and will stain your clothes so wear something washable). I believe it cost 300B. They have foot massages too.

In the end you are released into the remainder of the day well relaxed and with a cup of pleasant herbal tea to sip outside.