Whether you find yourself in Thailand as a traveller or an expatriate, one thing you must do before you leave is get a massage. Massages are extremely easy to come by in Thailand, and come in all types and price ranges. Here are a few options you have when looking to get a massage in Thailand:
1. The vacation-er massage
You’ve travelled all this way and spent all this money on coming to Thailand, you may as well get yourself a good massage. If you’re in Thailand, you must make sure you get the full Thai massage experience by spending at least an hour lying face down on a bed, preferably on a beach. Listen to the ocean as your entire body loosens and your mind becomes confused about where your masseuse’s hands are at the moment. Is she pressing down on your shoulders or rubbing your legs? Feels like both… Oh, that’s right. She’s standing on your back.
2. The backpacker massage
If you’re backpacking through Thailand, you’re most likely spending ten dollars on your nightly accommodation and maybe one more for each meal. Being on a budget is no excuse to not experience some form of massage though, because they do come quite cheaply. For less than ten dollars you can make the spontaneous decision to spend an hour lounging in a chair in the middle of the street, watching fellow travelers pass by as your masseuse oils and rubs your feet, calves and shins. By the time your hour is up your legs will be so refreshed that you’ll feel as though you’ve been lying in bed all day instead of walking around with a heavy backpack.
3. The flash packer massage
A flash packer, like a backpacker but with a bigger budget, should experience a massage that somewhat combines the two mentioned above. If you’re a flash packer on the beach, definitely go with the full body massage but instead of lying on a cushiony bed, do something more authentic and take up the offer you received in passing… to have one while lying right there on your own beach blanket. If you’re in the city, by all means grab one of the chairs on the street, but opt for the deluxe package. Treat yourself to an extended two-hour massage or get something that includes aromatherapy.
4. The expat massage
If you have your own apartment or condo in Thailand, you fall under our expat category. Expats can adopt the Thai massage as a way of life, as they are inexpensive and a parlor can be found as easily and frequently as a 7/11. The expat Thai massage should happen on a monthly or even weekly basis, always at the same parlor each time. Life as an expat comes with its challenges, so when the lifestyle gets hard, go easy on yourself with a neck and shoulder massage from your favorite masseuse. Speaking of getting massages as a regular benefit of being an expat, check out this post on all the other benefits of becoming an expat in Thailand.
5. The aspiring professional massage
If you’ve tried all of the massages above and just can’t get enough, you may want to consider learning how to do Thai massages yourself. The original Thai Massage School at Wat Po offers a variety of classes ranging from 30 to 200 hours, each of which you are guaranteed many free massages from your classmates.
