Thai Massage in Bangkok: Types, Prices, Etiquette and Where to Go

A Thai massage is one of the great pleasures of Bangkok and one of its best bargains. Traditional Thai massage (nuad thai) is even recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Here’s how to get a good one.

The types

Type	What it is	Typical price (1 hr)
Thai massage	Stretching, pressure points and yoga-like positions, fully clothed, no oil	฿300–500
Foot massage	Feet and lower legs with cream and a wooden stick on pressure points	฿250–450
Oil / aromatherapy	Smooth, relaxing full-body massage with oil	฿400–800
Herbal compress	Hot bundles of herbs pressed on the body (luk pra kob)	฿600–1,000
Tok sen	Northern Thai technique using a wooden hammer and wedge	฿500–900

Prices are for neighborhood shops. Mid-range spas charge ฿800–1,500, and luxury hotel spas ฿2,500 and up.

What to expect

Pick your massage and length at the counter. Ninety minutes is the sweet spot for Thai massage.
Your feet get washed first.
You change into loose clothes they give you (for Thai massage), or undress to your underwear under a towel (for oil).
Relax and breathe. Thai massage can be intense: your therapist will stretch, press and even walk on you.

Say it in Thai

“Bao bao” (เบาๆ): gentle, please
“Nak nak” (หนักๆ): stronger, please
“Jep” (เจ็บ): it hurts
“Sabai” (สบาย): comfortable, good

Where to go

Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage School: massage at the temple where it was taught for centuries. Book ahead or expect a queue.
Your neighborhood shop: small shops on every soi are often just as good as expensive spas. Look for one busy with locals.
Hotel spas: for a special occasion, Bangkok’s luxury spas are world-class and still cheaper than at home.

Local tip: a busy shop with an older team of therapists is usually a better bet than a quiet one with someone standing outside calling to you.

Etiquette and tipping

Tip ฿50–100 for a one-hour massage directly to your therapist if you’re happy. Tips matter a lot to their income.
Tell them about injuries, pregnancy or anything that hurts before you start.
Legitimate shops have bright lights and open fronts. Dim lights and curtained doors in nightlife areas usually mean something else.

When a massage is a lifesaver

After a temple morning, before a long flight, or on a rainy afternoon, a massage is the best way to spend the hottest hours of the day. Add one in the itinerary planner by ticking “Massage & spa”.

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