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There are hundreds of massage parlors and day spas in Bangkok
ranging from the very cheap to the
more luxurious. Districts such as Khao San Road are
loaded with cheap massage options. Sukhumvit area also has an extensive
range of massage parlors.
Typical Massages
Thai massage is where you remain fully clothed - typically
fisherman trousers and a light weight button-on shirt are given - so
that you can change from your street clothes. Your feet are usually
washed in warm water before your massage. Your massage should be in a
private curtained part of a room or in its own room. You lie on your back
and stomach during parts of the massage and the masseuse will use their
hands with mainly their thumbs to push and massage on pressure points. Thai
massage also usually involves some minor stretching. A true Thai massage is
a very strong massage - however many masseuses' |
often give lighter massages
for tourists. In any case you should indicate the level of strength to your
masseuse.
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Foot Massages usually last from 30 to 90 minutes. Your feet
are initially washed in warm water - it is a good idea to show up at the
massage parlor wearing shorts instead of long pants as the foot massage
covers not only your feet but your legs as well. If you have long pants on,
the massage parlor will typically give you
fisherman trousers to change into.
The Masseuses will use oil and
sometimes wooden instruments for the harder massage work. These can be
extremely relaxing and we have almost fallen asleep several times during
foot massages. Often after a foot massage the masseuse may have you sit
up and will give you a head and shoulder massage.
There are several things to look for when getting a foot
massage. The masseuse needs to use enough oil so as not to
cause chaffing on your legs (especially for men) and the oil should be
removed after the massage with talcum powder and a towel. |
Swedish Massage or
Oil Massage typically involves removing all of your clothes and
lying down on a raised massage table or on a soft mat. You will lie under a
small towel. The
masseuse will slowly massage your body and incrementally cover you in oil as
the massage is being done. If you don't want oil in your hair, tell them to
wash their hands before massaging your scalp.
Spa Information
Spas include more services than the basic massage businesses. You can get a
variety of massages, enjoy bubble baths, steam rooms, possibly hot "rain
showers", ozone therapy and more. Most spas offer packages from 1 hour all the way up to 5
hours or more. If you want pure pampering the spa experience is certainly
the way to go! Some spas serve snacks or meals either during the spa or
after. Couples spas are popular with one room devoted to a couple during the
entire spa treatment. See below for some of the massage businesses and spa's
that we have used in
Bangkok.
| Recommended Massage Businesses |
One of our favorites is
Ruen Nuad located at 42 Convent Rd in Silom Tel 02
632 2662-3 (see photo to the right). Ruen Nuad is located almost across from the big BNH Hospital - exit the
SkyTrain stop at Sala Daeng. They are in a small building in the
back of a small courtyard.
We have had massages here and they are very
professional and provide a true example of a strong Thai massage. Prices
start at several hundred baht. Email:
ruen_nuad@yahoo.com -
Location:
Silom Skytrain Sala Daeng
Baan Sa-Bai Thai Massage
provides good massage at an affordable price
if you
are in the Khao San area.
They are located
at Soi Samsen 6
(small street just
off of the main
Samsen street) - near the Rajata Hotel.
This is about a 15 minute walk from Khao San Road. |
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Their massage is located
in a small room - but their masseuses are quite good and the price is
excellent. Harder massages given per request. They provide full body and
foot massages. Space is limited and they become more crowded in the evenings
so you may have to wait or come back if they are full. Phone: (02) 628-5792
or (08) 1430-2762
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Location:
Khao San Road Area
Hello
Spa is another massage shop located in the D&D Inn right in the middle
of Khao San Road. They are a full service salon and spa located on the 7th
floor of this hotel. Their motto is "quality on a budget"! Look for discount
coupons to this spa/salon located on the first floor. Waxing, hairstyling,
Face Treatments and Face Masks offered. Phone:
(02) 282-7961
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Location:
Khao San Road Area
K1 Traditional Thai Massage is located on Soi Kasemson 1 Rama Road
near the National Stadium. They offer 6 different style massages ranging
from their very relaxing foot massage, to traditional Thai massage to herbal
massages. They are very centrally located as they are within 5-10 minutes
walking distance of the MBK & other area shopping districts as well as the
Skytrain. We've tried their massages several times - the traditional Thai
massages we've had have been somewhat soft, yet relaxing. If you enjoy very
strong Thai massages this may not be the place for you. Simple yet clean
decorations. Friendly staff. Reservations not required. Phone: 02 612 5574
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Location: Sukhumvit Skytrain National Stadium
If you are looking for cheap Thai massage try
Phunnee Massage. They
have two locations, one
is at "593/6 Sukhumvit Road. Soi 33-35 opposite Suanbenjasiri Wattana Bkk."
Phone: 0-2258-2909,
0-2258-2905.
Their other location is at "9/1 Soi 20 Sukhumvit Klongtoey." Phone:
0-2261-0412,
0-2261-0410.
The prices are the same at both shops. A two hour Thai massage is 250
baht. The girl we usually ask for is "Ian" (Ian is the closest we can come
to the phonetic pronunciation of her name.) Her hands are
not too hard, and not too soft. She will work at their location on Soi
33-35, but you can request her to come to the one on Soi 20 (both
locations off of Sukhumvit Road).
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Location: Sukhumvit & Silom
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The Touch
- is located at
11/2 Ruam Rudee (small side street). This small
clean & quiet massage business has one main room with a number of
chairs as well as smaller private rooms. The chairs do not recline
all the way as at some massage businesses. Their focus in the main
room is on foot massage although they offer a variety of massages as
well as packages that include discounts. The one massage we had here
was extremely strong. Free WiFi is available
should you want to surf the net while having a
foot massage (not sure why you would want
to)!
The atmosphere is
relaxed, no appointment is needed for regular
massages but you might
want to make an appointment for a longer treatment.
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Special
promotions are often offered for longer massages or combination
massages. From the PloenChit skytrain stop its about a 10 minute
walk here. Phone (02 6515 722) or visit:
www.thetouch1.com
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Location: Sukhumvit Skytrain PloenChit
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Thanomchai Aree Massage. There are literally hundreds of cheap Thai
massage businesses in Bangkok and many cater to tourists. We've seen some
blocks with 7 or 8 Thai massage places all lined up next to each other.
Thanomchai Aree Massage is refreshing because it has not yet been
discovered
by tourists, is affordable, and the massage
therapists are quite good. The massages are conducted upstairs -
curtains separate the individual floor cushions.
This business is located across from the Old S
Siam Plaza near the
Bangkok Bank Samyod at 39-41
Sabsin Road in
Wangburapha. |
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Phone: 02-2228373 |
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| On Nut, Sukumvit 77 Area.
To reach this small soi take the Skytrain to On Nut
(stop E9) on the Sukumvit Line. Reference our Skytrain info and map
Here. The following directions are assuming you
are taking the BTS Skytrain: at the On Nut
station, face the direction the train is traveling to reach this
last stop on the line and then exit left - walking back down the
street towards the way you came on the train. You will be walking almost under the Skytrain
at this point and |
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just a short distance down the street on your right side,
look for the blue and white Sukhumvit 77/1 sign. Walk down this
street you will see a plethora of *very* cheap massage businesses
with all starting at 100 Thai Baht per hour for a foot or Thai massage. Several
of these businesses are run by the same owner and if there are no
employees in one of the shops they will call the other shop.
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Location: Sukhumvit Skytrain On
Nut |
Recommended Spas
The following spas are typically higher priced than the massage businesses listed
above, they provide top notch customer service and are typically very
well decorated.
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Baan Dalah
(a family-friendly spa) is one of many massage businesses on Soi 8
(number 2) and is located less than a minute's walk from the main
Sukhumvit Road and the Nana sky train stop. However, unlike many of
its "cheaper looking" massage neighbors, Baan Dalah is much more
classy and definitely a step up both in quality,
ambiance and price.
This
small multi storied spa focuses on |
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1 to 2 hour treatments. We can recommend the 90
minute "Deluxe Thai & Head/Neck Massage" massage. In our experience, the
masseuses are well trained and take their time offering the max in
relaxation practices. Been walking all day in Bangkok - hot tired, and achy
feet? Be sure to try their "Emotional Rescue" a unique to this spa foot
massage. A wide variety of other massages are also available including Thai,
Swedish, Oil and general body care. Visit:
www.baandalahmindbodyspa.com -
Location:
Sukhumvit Skytrain Nana
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Chivit Chiva Thai Massages & Spa
is a boutique spa
located across from the Westin Hotel at 16/1-2 Sukhumvit Soi 19 -
North Klongtoey. Look for the small church and several small massage
businesses next door. A number of the travel guides call this a
"budget spa" but in actuality their prices are very similar to other
area spas - there is an upstairs and downstairs - simple but
elegantly
decorated. This is a small spa. Their prices
start at about 500 baht for a foot massage
and go to about 2500 for the
more
involved longer massages. Consider any of their packages which range |
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up to about 4500 baht. Their
packages usually run up to several hours and include a variety of
massages. All their massage therapists have completed International
massage courses. For more information visit:
www.chivitchivaspa.com, email:
contact@chivitchivaspa.com or Phone: 02 2530607-8
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Location:
Sukhumvit Skytrain Asoke |
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| Divana Spa Divana Spa
has several locations in Bangkok. The flagship business that we have
visited several times is located at the end of the very small 7
Sukhumvit 25 road which is about a 10 minute walk from Skytrain
Asoke station. This is a high-class spa run by a group of women
flight attendants. |
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These ladies have traveled the
world and have tried many different spa and massage businesses and Divana Spa is a culmination of the best spa features from the spa's
visited by these ladies. Divana has wonderful indoor and outdoor
ambience and decorations. Alarge variety of massage
and spa packages area offered.
When we are here we go for the full pampering and always choose the 5 hour Spa
Specialty package. Plan on this taking most of the day and about 6.5
to 7 hours including a very late romantic style lunch outdoors next
to the ponds. Once you arrive you will be given a choice of various
scrubs and salts with each one offering different benefits. The very
long massage included in this package is extremely relaxing. A nice
facial and aroma hot bath is included. The hot bath is in small
wooden tubs and if you are tall you will have to scrunch up to fit!
The lunch is out of this world. We enjoyed a special Pad Thai and a pomelo lemongrass prawn salad. Wooo! A number of their own specialty
products are available in the main shop at the entrance. Visit
www.divanaspa.com
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Location:
Sukhumvit Skytrain Asoke
| Lavana Spa is
located at Sukhumvit Soi 12 - about a 2 minute walk in from
the main Sukhumvit Road. This almost looks like a hotel
building but there is no hotel here, the first floor
entirely contains the spa. For an excellent value to quality
of treatment ratio this is one of the better spas in this
area. |
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The staff is extremely
welcoming when you walk in (certainly not this way with all
the spas we've experienced). We always opt for the 4 or 5
hour blissful treatment which includes the rain shower
surprise. The massage therapists are very detailed and
attentive to your needs. As with levels of spiciness in Thai
foods you can also have levels of strength in massages and
you are given a card to fill out before your spa indicating
massage strength. The main spa room is tastefully decorated.
A very nice creamy dessert covered with sprinkled pistachios
is provided after your spa treatment and tea is given during
select breaks throughout the spa. This is a spa we
definitely return to. For a unique touristy restaurant next
door, try Cabbages & Condoms! Visit:
www.lavanabangkok.com
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Location:
Sukhumvit
Skytrain Nana |
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Leelawadee Spa
is located at
Prachachuen : 89/462 Soi
Summakorn 2, Thedsabansongkor Rd. Ladyoa, Jatujak - Phone: (02)-550-5003-4
Email:
info@leelawadeespa.com We have heard
very good things about this spa, but have not yet tried their services. Have
you? If so, email. us: We
will try this spa the next time we are in Bangkok later this year and will
write a review here. Visit:
www.leelawadeespa.com
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Location:
Skytrain Mo Chit |
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| Le Vimarn Home Spa is located just
off of Silom Road (Baan Silom 651, Room A6). We've tried
more than our fair share of massage businesses in this part
of Silom and often they are cheap but the massages are
rather average. As a result it is refreshing to find this
boutique massage and spa. It is in a small shopping center
next to a Holiday Inn. There are a number of nice hotels in
this area and the tourists have found this little very
boutique spa. As a result be sure to |
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full in the afternoons. Excellent customer service. You pay
a bit more here than the surrounding cheaper spas, but it is
worth it. Their prices are still quite reasonably when
compared to the larger spas. Phone: 02 266 7470
Visit:
www.levimarnhomespa.com/home2.html
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Location:
Silom, Skytrain Chong Nonsi |
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Sareerarom Tropical Spa is located
at 117 Thonglor Soi 10,
Sukhumvit 55.This spa also provides a number of Yoga like services. There are
nice grounds and an open courtyard behind the main gate.
This spa was recommended to us by a fellow traveler but
we have not yet sampled their spa services.
Visit:
www.sareeraromspa.com
- Location:
Sukhumvit, Skytrain Thong Lo |
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Sukhothai Spa & Wellness Center
is located at 11 Sukhothai Road -
Dusit. This is a more upscale full service day spa offering a variety of spa
services and products. They offer the basic massages and then also a full
suite of Spa Packages which combine massages with other services. If you
want complete relaxation choose from one or more of their Spa Packages!
After treatments you are served healthy food and drink. They are open 7-days
a week and can provide free transportation to and from your Bangkok hotel.
Visit:
www.sukhothaispa.net
Phone: (02) 243 6697.
Location:
Dusit
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Suk Spa is located at 1/30 Sukhumvit
11 right across from the Ambassador Hotel. It is in the same
small street as Suk11 Guesthouse. This is a mid range
Thai Spiritual Herbal Spa offering a wide variety of massages and spa
packages. Prices start at about US $20. Sometimes you
can find 10% discount cards at
nearby hotels.
Local travelers have recommended their services to us.
Visit:
www.sukspa.com, Phone:
(02) 651-2672
email: info@sukspa.com |
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- Location:
Sukhumvit, Nana Skytrain |
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| Urban Retreat & Spa - see our
recommended spa information at the top of this page:
www.urbanretreatspa.net |
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Featured
Spa:
Urban Retreat Spa operates three spa's
in Bangkok, their original location is on a quiet street off
of Sukhumvit and due to demand two other locations followed
including at the Asoke and Phrong Phong Skytrain stops along
the Sukhumvit line. We've walked by their Asoke location a
number of times (always in a hurry to get somewhere) but
recently took one of their blissful 2 hour packages and
found this spa an oasis of serenity among all the hussle and
bustle of this part of Bangkok.
About
Dave's Pick