Massages in Thailand

[Londoner]

I'm a little diffident about posting this. I have no intention to pry, I am merely seeking information from our travellers and correspondents.

Here are two concerns  and I hope  not too personal.

When massages are given in BKK and Pattaya, are both masseur and customer expected to wear masks? Have the shops policies regarding this?

And secondly, do  the guys declare their vaccination status? again, do the shops (for example, the ones near Tarntawan Hotel, or those in the JC) have policies in place to ensure that the masseurs are vaccinated?

Finally, what do out fearless travellers feel about it?  I ask because, were I fortunate enough to be there in March as planned,  I must confess I'd be rather diffident about close contact with strangers. P and I have been talking about what changes to our routines- taxis and restaurants, for example-  may be required.  Both of us are medically vulnerable in different ways. 

[Guest]

There are a lot of businesses around declaring 100% vaccinated staff.   I'm fairly sure massage shops would be the same, but my priorities are checking for cute masseurs and going where I might get a good massage.  I think SHA compliant massage shops would be claiming 100% vaccinated staff.

Masseurs tend to wear masks.  Personally, I'm not bothered about this, as I assume I'm going to be exposed to COVID virus if he has it.  Which is low probability.  

I also expect to catch COVID several times during my life and getting the milder Omicron variant 3 weeks after a booster should not be too bad.  I understand and respect that some people may need to be more careful. 

[TMax]

I've seen that Adam massage in soi 4 are saying all their staff are fully vaccinated and I would imagine that they would all be or at least most massage shops would be 

[macaroni21]

2 hours ago, Londoner said:

Finally, what do out fearless travellers feel about it?

While I don't quite consider myself a fearless traveller, the thing that has so far put me off making firm plans to visit is the risk of quarantine either in Thailand or on return, not the risk of catching Covid.

This Bloomberg story dated 16 December 2021 says 43.8 million second shots have been administered, with another 4.4 million booster shots. Out of a population of 69 million, the 43.8 million with second shots represent 63%. The story further says that "At the current pace of vaccinations, the country should reach 90% coverage by March".

Given these numbers, even if massage parlours don't visibly declare their staff to be fully vaccinated, the chance of meeting an unvaccinated person is low, and getting lower.

I would also bear in mind that a vaccinated person can transmt the virus -- for why else do we have an Omicron surge in Western countries despite their high vaccination rate? It would therefore seem to be just a matter ot time before we bump into someone who is going to transmit it to us. Even people who have recovered from Covid-19 have come down a second and third time! I think we have to resign ourselves to the high likelihood that we will get it.

The good news is that so far, Omicron appears, despite its high transmissibility, to cause less severe symptoms. Virologists would say this is entirely expected. Viruses tend to evolve towards greater transmissibility but lower lethality.

[Guest]

Vaccines are already available for everyone who wants them.   So getting to 90% vaccinated by March actually requires the unvaccinated to want vaccines.  

 

[vinapu]

I just returned from Thailand where I had numerous massages and other close connection contacts with young( 23-33 )  part of male Thai population. While most massage places and bars are posting something about having premises sterilized and staff vaccinated I did not bother with neither following on that  nor  being worried.

My logic is I'm vaccinated in order not to be afraid of other people. Or like I said to my cousin ;" Margaret,  if somebody must be sick , it better you than me ".

So far it seems to be working.

I'd find close encounter , with either masseur or regular bar off in masks weird and asking about status  fun killing so I took calculated risk of not bothering about either. 

So my advice to Londoner and other with similar and it must to be admitted,  valid concerns. Ease up your worries and let them go or stay home. Otherwise your vacation will become nightmarish string of worries with every person you encounter potential killer. That is not a receipt for happy holidays.

If you are longing for reunion with P, just go and stay with him somewhere leaving massages and other debaucheries for future  trip.

Good news is that 100% of population is wearing masks , if in 25 days I saw 30 people on street without mask that's it. And all of them seem to be western slobs, mainly in Pattaya. So my guess risk of catching something in LOS is the same as catching something on the plane or airport.

Just go and have fun.

[18past19]

On 1/1/2022 at 4:23 AM, Londoner said:

what do out fearless travellers feel about it?

I havent been to any other massage place yet except Sabaidee since its guys have been keeping me busy ever since after i was introduced to that place by my senior member here. though quite big and not easy to fill, i've been trying to follow his exact footsteps. on my first visit to Sabaidee, i felt a bit quite uncomfortable to put my face down on the pillow and sheets. Adding to this, the sheet appeared to be used already, soiled with oil. 

I exchanged contacts with the guy and also with mamasan. Since then I've been using outcall services only - not completely taking away the risks of infection, but at least i would trust hotel sheets than Sabaidee's. 

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, 18past19 said:

I havent been to any other massage place yet except Sabaidee since its guys have been keeping me busy ever since after i was introduced to that place by my senior member here. though quite big and not easy to fill, i've been trying to follow his exact footsteps. on my first visit to Sabaidee, i felt a bit quite uncomfortable to put my face down on the pillow and sheets. Adding to this, the sheet appeared to be used already, soiled with oil. 

 

sounds like you had bad luck as I was there numerous times this trip and had no problems with sheets and pillows. Not to mention last thing crossing my mind was danger of infection.

But I agree hosting in own room brings more comfort and usually longer session.