Traditional Thai massage

Long-stay in Thailand
Healthy lifestyle activities
Traditional Thai massage
Herbal steam baths & hot springs
Meditation
Yoga
Health spas
Beauty treatments

Now an established practice in spas and fitness centres worldwide, traditional Thai massage is a therapy that combines yoga and acupressure techniques, manipulating the body's internal energy by using pressure points and yoga positions.

In Thailand the centres of learning and practice have always been the temples. Massage is regarded as a way of achieving inner tranquillity by easing the stresses and aches of the body. By force on pressure points, muscles and ligaments, sb;etching and bending and manipulations, the whole body is decompressed. A massage is performed with the recipient clothed, usually in loose pyjama-like garments supplied by the massage centre. King Rama III had all available knowledge on the subject gathered and inscribed on stone slabs in the early 19th century, and these can be seen at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Po), along with stone figures demonstrating classic massage postures. Today, the temple is still regarded as the centre of learning for Thai massage techniques.

You can enjoy the benefits of traditional Thai massage at any number of resorts and spas in Thailand as well as at Wat Po where intensive courses are also available for those who wish to learn more about the technique.

WHERE TO GO

Wat Po's Thai Traditional Medical & Massage School
2 Maharat Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10210 Tel: 0 2221 2974,022254771 watpottm@nepscape.l")et
The massage centre inside Wat Po is open daily from 8 am-5 pm. Private courses are given in English. General I 0-day/30-hour course followed by other ID-day courses teaching the treatment of disease. Graduates receive certificates.

Green Chart Ayurveda
12/90 Sri Nakharin Road, Bangkok 10260
Tel: 0 2746 0122
Fax: 0 2746 0118
Thai massage for health, relaxation and beauty.

Ayurved Vidyalai (Jivok Komarbhac)
16/2 Soi 5, Phaholyothin Road,
Phyathai, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 0 26195836-7. Fax: 0 2619 5837
Thai massage for stress relief and relaxation of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, every Tue, Wed and Fri from I pm-4 pm. Herbal steam baths every Mon, Thur and Sat from 10 am-4 pm. Herbal medicine Mon-Sat from 10 pm-4 pm.

Foundation for the Employment Promotion of the Blind
2218/86 Chan Road, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120 Tel: 0 2678 0763-8 ex! 114
Fax: 0 2678 0765
Thai body and foot massage for health and relaxation by skilled and experienced practitioners who are blind.

Body & Mind Solution Clinic
2189 PR Building, New Phetchburi Road, Bangkok 10320
Tel: 0 23191310,023192072-3
Fax: 0 23191314
kvichit@access.inet.co.th
Foot massage in combination with physical exercise and meditation supervised by experienced practitioners.

Dr Shivaga Komarpaj Foundation
78/1 Lua Rai Road, Chiang Mai 50100
Tel: 0 5327 5085
Ten-day "Nuad Thai" massage course in Thai leading to graduation certificate and membership of the Northern Thai Traditional Medical Club.

International Training Massage
17/7 Morakot Road, Chiang Mai 50300,
Tel: 0 5321 8632
Fax: 0 5322 4197
itm@infothai.com,
www.infothai.com/itm
One to six-week courses in basic and advanced Thai massage (six levels) by Chongkol and Atchara Setthakorn

Besides massage, herbal steam baths are another major element in Thai traditional healing. These are designed to improve circulation, reduce stress and muscular aches, improve the respiratory system, ease allergies and cure skin ailments.

Herbal steam baths evolved from the ancient Thai practice of applying herbal blends to hot water, the steam being absorbed through the nose and skin. The mixture of herbs would be formulated for the condition being treated. The heat also sweated out toxins and cleansed the pores of the skin. Herbs have also long dominated the beauty and skincare regimens of Thai women. For example, sour tamarind works well as a body scrub, crushed turmeric rubbed into the skin keeps it soft and smooth.

Apart from the herbal steam baths, the healing qualities of hot sulphur springs in Thailand have long been recognised. Many of them are tapped as baths connected to hotels and such at various locations around the country. Steam baths, meanwhile, are available at a wide assortment of hotels, spas and health resorts nationwide.

WHERE TO GO

Klaeng Hospital
Klaeng District, Rayong 21210
Tel: 0 38677537-80
Herbal remedies, massage and steam baths at a traditional Thai medical clinic.

Pluak Daeng Hospital
272 Moo 1, Pluak Daeng, Rayong 21140
Tel: 0 3887 8203-4, 0 3865 9117
Fax: 0 3865 0005
Herbal remedies, massage and steam baths.

Wangjan Hospital
349 Moo 1, Wangjan District, Rayong 21210
Tel: 0 3866 6174-5 ex! 112. Fax: 0 3866 6198
Herbal remedies for general ailments, massage for muscle and rheumatoid problems and herbal steam baths for muscular ailments and to improve circulation.

Hin Dard Hot Springs
Km 107 on Highway 323, 135 km from Kanchanaburi . Mineral steam baths for cleansing and relief from many ailments.

San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
San Kamphaeng, 30 km east of Chiang Mai
Tel: 0 5392 9077
Popular with both Thais and visitors, these hot springs are surrounded by mountains. Accommodation is available in bungalows and in camping areas.

Ranong Hot Springs
Wat Tapotharam,
2 kilometres east of the town of Ranong
A thermal spring where the temperature of the water is about 65 degrees Celsius. The deep forest surrounding the spring is maintained as Raksa Wann public park. Rest pavilions and bathing rooms are provided.

Fang Hot Springs
Ban Pin, 163 kilometres north of Chiang Mai
Fifty hot springs occupy a 10-acre forest setting, three of which boil continuously with a strong smell of sulphur. Water temperatures at the springs range from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius.