Little Wren’s Guide to finding great massage in Thailand

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Somewhere back in the day, someone jokingly called me a Spa Queen of Asia as I was always the first to say ‘Let’s have a spa day!’ When I moved to Thailand, I went in search of great value spa treatments. As a Zen Wren wannabe, this confirmed further my Spa Queen reputation. Today at lunch a friend asked for advice following a rubbish Thai massage. Far from being relaxed and zen she was sore and bruised. I decided to publish my Little Wren’s Guide to help her, and you, find a great massage in Thailand.

I have noticed that as tourism has returned, the demand for high-quality therapists is at a premium. There are some definite dos and don’ts to ensure you have the most amazing massage experience.

Little Wren’s Guide to what you should DO:

Do your research

Check Google or Trip Advisor reviews to find the best-rated reputable spa near you. Ask your friends or locals for recommendations. When arriving at a new massage venue, ask to check out the room before confirming the booking. You can tell a lot from the room! You want to make sure you’re getting a quality massage from experienced professionals.

I am lucky to have enjoyed some of Thailand’s top spas, however with the right therapist you don’t have to be ultra high-end to have a great massage.

Do ask for an experienced therapist

Ask for an experienced therapist, and show you are interested in the quality of your massage. The receptionist is told to rotate the bookings to ensure each therapist gets an equal amount of bookings. Unless of course, a guest specifically asks by name for a particular therapist, or you indicate you don’t want any new trainee!

Do choose the right sort of massage for your needs

Thailand is famous for its traditional massages, which are a combination of stretching, pressure point work, and deep tissue massage.

There are so many different types of massage available in Thailand, so it’s essential to select one that suits your needs. If you’re looking to relax, an oil massage might be best. If your body needs a post-jetlag recovery stretch, maybe opt for a traditional Thai massage. Or if you’re looking for a more intense experience, you could try a deep tissue massage and avoid a lymphatic drainage massage which has softer strokes.

Do confirm your needs with the therapist

Don’t be afraid to let your massage therapist know what you’re looking for. Whether it’s a particular area you want them to focus on, or a certain level of pressure, communication is key to getting the most out of your massage.

You often find the receptionists have the best English, so if there are any special requests, you can also let the receptionist know and check your therapist understands.

Do make a note of the name of a good therapist

I have found what you pay for you get, by and large! In cheaper places, you are very reliant on the skills of the therapist. If you get an excellent massage therapist get their name and don’t give it to your friends unless you’re a generous soul who won’t be peeved when your therapist is booked when you want them!

Do book a private room

Ask for a private room. Even attending together with friends or with Mr Wren, we rarely take a couples massage room as we’re not wanted to be distracted by the other person or give the therapists the chance to be discussing their dinner or whatever over our backs!

Do arrive early

Give yourself plenty of time to relax and prepare for your massage. Arriving early means you can enjoy the facilities, such as steam rooms or saunas, before your treatment.

Do dress appropriately

You should wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement during the massage. Many massage places provide you with traditional Thai clothes to wear during the massage.

Do upgrade your cheap & cheerful experience

If you are going for a cheap and cheerful massage as I call them, bring your own supplies! In this way, you can upgrade a 300 THB baby oil massage, with your own aromatherapy oils. You will be amazed how the therapists love it too. I’m sure you get better service when we’re all enjoying the scent of beautiful oil!

Keep and bring in your spa bag. the disposable pants and shower caps when issued as these are not always a standard offering at a cheaper spa.

Do relax and breathe

Once you’re on the massage table, take a few deep breaths and let go of any tension or stress. Try to clear your mind and focus on the sensations of the massage.

Do pay more

Know that the old adage that what you pay for is what you get rings true in Thailand. You can still find an hour’s massage for 300/400 THB in Thailand. However, we now go mid-range. For $500 THB/hour we expect aromatherapy oils, a private room, air conditioning, and a better-skilled therapist. Paying 1000 THB we’re probably in a lovely spa and at 1500 THB ++ we’re in a posh spa. For 2000 THB we’re probably in a five-star hotel spa and it better be a complete Zen bliss experience otherwise I’m cross!

Do mix up your Thailand massage experiences

One of the lovely things about Thailand is that you can try different types of massage from Foot massage, a traditional Thai massage, or an oil body massage, which can include hot stones. I know plenty of people who budget for a daily spa treatment whilst on holiday! And why not.

Do drink water

After the massage, drink plenty of water to help flush out any toxins that may have been released during the massage.

Do tip

It is customary to tip your masseuse if you are happy with the service, so make sure to bring some cash with you. The amount you tip will depend on the quality of the massage and your overall experience, although I seem to always give at 100 THB.

Little Wren’s Guide to the Don’ts (for Great Thailand Massage)

Don’t take the last spa appointments of the day!

I have a theory that most massage therapists are working hard, it’s physical work. I also believe that the best massage is emotionally draining too, the therapist needs to have a connection with the client. For this reason, you are unlikely to find me at the spa late at night, when everyone is tired!

Don’t eat a heavy meal before

It’s best to avoid eating a large meal before your massage, as this can make you feel uncomfortable or bloated. Instead, opt for a light snack if you’re hungry.

Don’t be late

Arrive on time for your massage appointment as a late arrival may cut into your massage time or cause inconvenience for other clients.

Don’t use your phone

Try to disconnect from your phone or any other devices during the massage to fully enjoy the experience and avoid distractions.

Don’t miss out on special promotions

Get the best deals by downloading the LINE App and following the Spas on Facebook. Here you will find more of the local deals that are offered within Thailand, not generally offered to Tourists.

Don’t let me stop you from having a great Thai Massage but…

Thai massage vs oil massage. Some people swear by a good Thai Massage, but you need to trust your therapist and be up for a good back crack. If you have any health issues at all, make sure these are understood. Personally, I’m wary of Thai massage, but I know some people swear by them!

Final Thoughts

For me to have a great massage in Thailand everything needs to be in unison; the treatment, the therapist’s skill, the music, and the temperature. I have a theory that some Thai massage therapists work on the idea of ‘do a good job at first and hope you fall asleep. Probably to be fair most people go for a massage to relax and most are probably happy with a 20-minute back massage and a 40-minute sleep. Not me.

I hope you have enjoyed my guide to the top dos and don’ts for having the best massage experience in Thailand. Lastly:

Do enjoy the after-effects

After your massage, take some time to relax and enjoy the benefits. You may feel more relaxed, less stressed, and have improved circulation. Don’t rush off to your next activity – take some time to savor the benefits of your massage.

So go ahead and indulge in a relaxing massage – you deserve it!

Full Disclaimer

I hope you’ve enjoyed Little Wren’s Guide for a great Thailand massage. This post is a collaborative experiment between Little Wandering Wren and Chatgpt‘s artificial intelligence (AI). What do you think?

Personally, I was hoping that Chatgpt might be doing a bit more of the writing!

I left out the section Don’t expect a sexual experience: Traditional Thai oil massages are therapeutic and should not be confused with sexual services. If any inappropriate behavior occurs, speak up and leave immediately. Because I thought my readers are nice and not inappropriate like that!

I think AI is the way of the future and I need to keep up with it in all its developments. Can you tell me which parts I’ve written and what has been written for me? Will you be using Chatgpt? Do let me know!

If you have enjoyed this post, check out my other Spa, Heath, and Wellness posts:

• The Sensational New Sense Cera Spa Bangkok
• Out of the Ordinary: The Oasis Spa Laguna Phuket
• Why Your Next Trip Should be a Wellness Retreat (in association with The Adventures of Poss and Ruby)
• Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui
• Mastering Menopause at Revivo, The Pavilions, Phuket
• Kamalaya Wellness, Koh Samui Thailand
• As featured in Expat Life in Thailand:  Mastering Menopause at Revivo, Phuket,  and Wisdom on Wellbeing from Kamalaya