Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Thai Massage - Learn Thai from a White Guy (2024)

One of the great things about Thailand is the ease with which high quality and affordable Thai massage is so readily available. If you have decided yourself on taking one, this lesson will make your experience a little easier and enjoyable.

If this is your first time taking a Thai massage, you will usually see a sign like this one showing which services are on offer. Whilst it is common most shops will advertise in English also, at many shops, it’s very likely that your masseuse หมอนวด(maw nuad) will not speak much English.

Contents hide

1 Types of Thai Massage

2 Useful Phrases when getting a Thai Massage

4 How to Say Body Parts in Thai

4.1 Lower Body:

4.2 Upper Body:

5 Happy Endings

6 How Much Does a Thai Massage Cost?

7 How much to Tip for a Thai Massage?

Types of Thai Massage

There are a number of different kinds of Thai massage, but perhaps the 2 most common are the traditional Thai massage and the oil massage.

Traditional Thai Massage can be referred to a number of ways in Thai.

Traditional Thai massage can be a bit rough on the body, and tends to be more painful than the oil, which is usually softer in its delivery, though if you have time maybe try both and see which you prefer.

Oil massage is more relaxing, but Thai massage is great when you need to get in deep and crush out some stiffness.

นวดไทย

Useful Phrases when getting a Thai Massage

Sample Dialogue
When you first enter a massage shop, the conversation might go something like this:

Important Thai Vocabulary/Phrases when Getting a Thai Massage

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(jep) vs ปวด (ppuad) –

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(jep) is used to refer to the sharp pain you feel when you stub your toe, get pricked with something sharp or pinched. ปวด (ppuad) is used to refer to deep aches and soreness. So you might be going to get a massage because some (or all) of your body is ปวด (ppuad). While getting that massage, if the masseuse presses too hard on a sore tendon, you might feel

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(jep).

Types of Pain:

Degree (of pressure during massage)

In addition to a hard or soft instruction, you can also specify if you’d like extra attention or pressure in a certain area. The Thai word “to emphasize” something is เน้น (nen). So, for example if you have overworked your right arm in a Muay Thai class you can ask for the masseuse to concentrate on this area you could say:

How to Say Body Parts in Thai

Here’s a list of body parts in Thai that are going to hurt eventually.

Remember that you can put ปวด (ppuad) in front of any of the body parts below to express that you have soreness or an ache in that area.

  • ปวดหัว (ppuad hua) – headache (ache+head)
  • ปวดเท้า (ppuad thao) – feet/foot ache
    • In spoken Thai, most of the time you don’t need to use any pronouns so saying ปวดเท้า (ppuad thao) to a masseuse (or anybody) means “My feet hurt.” or “My foot hurts.”

Lower Body:

Upper Body:

Happy Endings

At the end of a standard Thai massage, the masseuse will more often than not, ask you to sit up and lock your fingers behind your head. They might tell you to “relax” which isn’t easy. They then will bring one of their legs in front of you and proceed to try to tear your torso off of your body. What they are really trying to do is crack your back. This technique is called ดัดตัว (duht ttua) or you may just hear ดัด (duht).

If you don’t want them to ดัด (duht), you can say ไม่ดัด ครับ/ค่ะ (mai duht khrap/kha). If they ask why ทำไม (tham-mai), you might just say ไม่ชอบ (mai chawp) or “I don’t like (it).”

How Much Does a Thai Massage Cost?

The price of a massage in Thailand varies from place to place. As of 2020, you can expect to pay between 200 and 300 baht per hour for a Thai massage in standard massage shop in the center of cities such as Chiang Mai or Bangkok. Oil massages tend to be more expensive and foot massages are sometimes a little cheaper depending on the shop. Areas that get a lot of tourists can have much higher prices so if you see tour buses and touts all around you, expect to pay more. It’s also possible to go much cheaper. There are definitely places in Chiang Mai and Bangkok where you can get a massage for 150 baht or less .

*Tip: If you are going to be in town for a bit, don’t be afraid to ask your masseuse where they go get massages. Giving massages all day is demanding work and many masseuses will go get massages themselves and they are very likely to be going to go some place much cheaper than what the shop they work at charges.

How much to Tip for a Thai Massage?

Everyone you ask is going to have a different opinion on how much you should be tipping at a massage. The authors of this post generally tip 50-60 baht for 1 hour and 100 baht for 2 hours assuming we are happy with the service. I also asked on the Learn Thai from a White Guy Facebook Page and 80-100 seemed pretty similar to what everyone else was tipping though there were a few people who tip a set amount for the massage.

*Tip: If you ask for a 2 hour massage and the first hour feels like a waste of time, feel free to stop and leave. There’s no obligation to pay for time you weren’t actually getting a massage. It’s also possible to request to switch to another masseuse if there are any available. Massage shops know that some people have a preference like very strong or very soft massages and some workers are better suited to one type or another.

How much do you tip for massages? Please let us know in the comments (type, cost and tip) and we’ll update this post if we get any interesting data.

Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Thai Massage - Learn Thai from a White Guy (2024)

FAQs

What happens in Thai full body massage? ›

The therapist uses their hands (thumbs, elbows, forearms) and sometimes, even their feet to reduce tension in the muscles. The massage does not use oils or lotions. The therapist will move the person's body into yoga-like positions (assisted yoga) in addition to pulling and rocking the body in various other ways.

What to know before a Thai massage? ›

You are taking massage for the first time?
  • Eat something 1h before massage at the latest, eat some fresh fruits or collation.
  • Drink more tea or water, avoid coffee, don't drink alcohol.
  • Make some home-stretching – made before massage reduce pain after it.

Do I takeoff my clothes for Thai massage? ›

If you'd prefer to keep all or most of your clothing on there are options for that too. In fact, there are some modalities, like Thai massage, that are always done fully clothed as a matter of course. By the same token, if you'd like to remove all your clothing, feel free to do so.

What kind of person should avoid Thai foot massage? ›

People with certain health conditions, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, those who are pregnant, and those who have just undergone surgery should not get a Thai massage, as the technique could pose health risks.

What do men wear for a Thai massage? ›

Thai massages differ from the whole body and spa massages, where patients wear clothes. You will remain dressed entirely for a Thai massage, so ensure you wear breathable clothing and extend without any problem. Again, talk to the specialist to double-check what is allowed clothing-wise.

Does full body massage include bottom? ›

You can say which parts of your body you don't want to be touched. A full-body massage usually includes your arms, legs, hands and feet, your neck and back, your stomach and buttocks.

Do you wear a bra for a Thai massage? ›

Should Women Take Off The Bra For A Massage? ➪ If you're planning on a partially undressed massage, the choice to wear a bra or not is completely up to you, as is the option for a g-string. Towels will be used to keep you comfortably draped throughout your session.

Do I have to remove my bra for massage? ›

No you do not have to take your underwear or bra off during a massage. As always, you (the client) only undresses to your comfort level. If you want to take everything off that's up to you – whatever you're comfortable with.

Should I take off all my clothes during a massage? ›

If being partially dressed feels comfortable to you, then this is the best option. If any area you need work on is covered, it could hinder the overall calming experience you might be trying to achieve. That said, your therapist will work over or around whatever you wear.

What body parts are massaged in full body massage? ›

A full body massage will typically include the back, legs, arms, head, shoulders, and feet. Some providers may also offer a glute massage as part of your full-body treatment, but you'll be able to discuss this with your therapist beforehand if you'd rather opt out.

What is the difference between a full body massage and a Thai massage? ›

Key Differences

Equipment and Positioning: Thai massages are performed on a floor mat to allow a complete range of motion, with therapists using their entire body for the massage. In contrast, regular massages are typically performed on a massage table using hands, fists, forearms, and elbows.

Does full body massage include abdomen? ›

Areas like arms, hands, feet, legs, neck, back, stomach, and buttocks could receive attention when applicable; however, if there are any exceptions or certain parts of the body that need extra attention, ask ahead so it may accommodate accordingly!

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