Long-time Thailand visitor- standard/normal massage virgin.

[newalaan]

I have had tons of massages over the last 15 years or so I've been visiting Thailand, but they have always been full-body oil style massage in the likes of Blue House (Pattaya) or Bonnys (Bkk). I like a lazy massage, just like to get pampered, usually after a few days of clubbing, bar hopping and walking around to get the batteries re-charged.

 

But I have passed the small massage shops dotted around Tuk-com/ Pattaya, Silom-Suriwong/Bkk and sometimes considered maybe just having a 'normal' head/shoulders or foot massage. The boys who sit outside at these places are always trying to get you inside.

 

Do many here use the massage shops for standard massages as well as full-body/happy-ending massages? If so what is the etiquette?

 

For feet/lower legs massage, just off your footwear and roll up jeans/trouser legs? Do they wash feet first? and head shoulders do they just massage over shirt/tee-shirt or is it top off?

 

How long for these massages, oil is usually 1 hour, but foot, head/shoulders, are they normally 30 mins or more?  

 

And cost? I've never stopped to check the price list for each massage type. I assume normal massages always done on the lower ground massage shop on the benches/chairs you can see when passing.

 

Tips for a 'standard' massage?

 

Another trip is due soon and just want a bit of info. Thanks for any detailed replies.

 

 

 

 

[farangyai]

I freqently enjoy a real massage while in Thailand. Most of the time I do it without any sexual overtones. 

 

I especially like a one-hour foot massage after a long day of walking. I like a particular place on Silom where they have low lighting, you sit in a chair, they wash your feet first and then give a nice long slow foot massage and sometimes if time allows give a brief shoulder, neck, scalp massage also. I find these totally relaxing and a chance for relaxed conversation. I normally tip at least the same as the cost of the massage.

 

For a body massage, I prefer a long two hour massage so that by the time it is done, I feel like a bowl of jello. If possible I like to have these in my own room, otherwise the comfortable/bed or table is preferred to a thin floor mat. Again, I normally tip at least the same as the cost of the massage and more if the guy does an outstanding job. I have certain guys I use and have always been satisfied with.

 

I prefer cream to oil. I prefer strong Thai massage techniques to rubbing. If I have a mild pain from the strength of the massage that is good. I like it when they use the arms and elbows even if it makes be grunt a bit while it is being done. GIve me a strong Issan rice farmer doing this and it is bliss.

 

I also have been known to stop by Wat Po and let the students do their thing on me, whether male or female. Yes, maybe a bit touristy, so I enjoy the small places more. One of the better massages I have ever had in Thailand was by a blind masseur. They just about had to carry me out I was so relaxed. I also like to participate in the whole routine including the herbal tea and small talk.

 

But that is my personal taste and I prefer to keep real massages separate from the fun ones.

[anddy]

- Do many here use the massage shops for standard massages as well as full-body/happy-ending massages? If so what is the etiquette?

 

yes, I use the "normal" massage shops in the Silom/Surawong area all the time, in fact I never use the gay ones like Bonny. I think I never had a bad massage, the worst ay have been a mediocre one, but usually they range from good to excellent. I do both Thai massages as well as oil massages. 
The etiquette: for the Thai massage you change into a very loose fitting shirt and pants they provide. That massage therefore is almost never with any extras. For an oil massage you're obviously naked, and in the Silom area almost everywhere they will also do a HE if you want, especially if you get hard during the massage (an obvious sign that you might want it haha). Some ask if you want it, some ask how much you would tip for it, some just do it, some don't do it at all, it all depends on the individual guy, not the shop. You can always decline a HE when asked if you don't want it, no pressure.

 

- For feet/lower legs massage, just off your footwear and roll up jeans/trouser legs? Do they wash feet first? 

 

yes and yes

 

- and head shoulders do they just massage over shirt/tee-shirt or is it top off?

 

I think massage over shirt/t-shirt, as it is usually done without oil.

 

- How long for these massages, oil is usually 1 hour, but foot, head/shoulders, are they normally 30 mins or more?

 

as long as you like. The "standard" time for foot massage is 1 hour, too, though you can vary that as you wish. Head/shoulders I'm not sure, as thst's not offered by many shops (at least usually not listed on the sign boards outside the shop)

 

- And cost?

 

Thai massages: price for 1 hour from 250 Baht to maybe 400; I highly recommend to do at least 1.5 hours though, makes a big difference
oil massages: 400-600 Baht/hour
foot massage: same as Thai

 

 

-  I assume normal massages always done on the lower ground massage shop on the benches/chairs you can see when passing.

Yes and no. The chairs you see are for foot massages only. If you get a Thai (or oil) massage, it is done in massage rooms, usually with a table or on a floor mat, depending on the shop. The better shops have floor mats for Thai massages and tables for oil massages, some smaller shops have only floor mats. Personally, I am indifferent to table vs. mat.

 

- Tips for a 'standard' massage?

 

I think farangyai is super-generous with his tips. Technically, you don't have to tip at all. But as foreigners, we kind of feel bad not tipping, and we might as well support the locals by tipping. Having said that, a 100 Baht tip for a 1 hour foot or Thai or oil massage (without any "extras, of course), is perfectly fine and appreciated. Anything higher than that will be VERY much appreciated, but is not expected in any way. 

 

 

Shops I like for consistently good massages are Pranee (small, relaxed and cheap shop right on Silom, about 50-100m up from Thanyia, on the second floor above the 24-hour Boots pharmacy, right next to the BTS exit) and The Prime (Silom Soi 6).

[farangyai]

I should probably mention that one of the reasons I tip a bit more than others is that I am a giant. So for example doing a foot massage on me takes them a lot longer. The guys always joke about it and want to try on my shoes which they can do even when keeping their shoes on. Seriously. I can't even buy shoes or sandals in Thailand unless I have them handmade. 

 

Similarly, for a guy to hit on the bodyparts and do a decent massage is not an easy job. The main guy I use for full body massage is sweating and tired out by the time he is done working on me for two hours. My arms are the size of their legs or bigger. I do a lot of walking so my legs are solid.  I have had all the massage folks laughing at Wat Po when the woman tried to lift up my leg to put it on her to massage.

 

When a guy finishes my foot massage that they charged me 200 baht for, another 200 baht tip for a job well done seems like a bargain. My foot massage always goes over an hour. It only seems fair that I pay a bit more.

 

I do not tip for the sake of tipping. I tip because I know they earned it when they massage me!

[vinapu]

I should probably mention that one of the reasons I tip a bit more than others is............

 

I do not tip for the sake of tipping. I tip because I know they earned it when they massage me!

As long as you feel that you are getting value for your money you can and possibly should to tip whatever YOU consider fair and affordable.

 

If you tip a bit over the odds probably you are not getting much poorer because of your generosity and certainly you are helping to put some food on Thais table / or fund their gambling habit, but why not to take a chance money will be

well spend ? /

[anddy]

good point farangyai, I would do the same in your situation. given your description of yourself, maybe you should change your name to farangyaimaak hahaha ;-)

[newalaan]

Thanks for helpful information and replies.  

 

 

I especially like a one-hour foot massage after a long day of walking. I like a particular place on Silom where they have low lighting, you sit in a chair, they wash your feet first and then give a nice long slow foot massage and sometimes if time allows give a brief shoulder, neck, scalp massage also. I find these totally relaxing and a chance for relaxed conversation. I normally tip at least the same as the cost of the massage.

 

For a body massage, I prefer a long two hour massage so that by the time it is done, I feel like a bowl of jello.  

I prefer cream to oil. I prefer strong Thai massage techniques to rubbing. If I have a mild pain from the strength of the massage that is good. I like it when they use the arms and elbows even if it makes be grunt a bit while it is being done. GIve me a strong Issan rice farmer doing this and it is bliss.

 

 

 

 

Never thought just a foot massage would be 1 hour duration, I only have 1 hour for full body oil massage and find that just about right timewise inc happy endings! But the only way to find out how long is ideal is to try it. Thanks for the detail in the reply.

 

Your idea of a full-body oil massage differs from mine. I don't like 'stong techniques'! I always ask for bao-bao, soft soft, I just like my muscles to be gently massaged, except maybe for upper thighs which were used to strongish massages when I played football/soccer especially as I was still playing to my mid-forties and needed all the help I could get to recover.

 

 

 as long as you like. The "standard" time for foot massage is 1 hour, too, though you can vary that as you wish. Head/shoulders I'm not sure, as thst's not offered by many shops (at least usually not listed on the sign boards outside the shop)

 

Thai massages: price for 1 hour from 250 Baht to maybe 400; I highly recommend to do at least 1.5 hours though, makes a big difference
oil massages: 400-600 Baht/hour
foot massage: same as Thai

 

 

I think farangyai is super-generous with his tips. Technically, you don't have to tip at all. But as foreigners, we kind of feel bad not tipping, and we might as well support the locals by tipping. Having said that, a 100 Baht tip for a 1 hour foot or Thai or oil massage (without any "extras, of course), is perfectly fine and appreciated. Anything higher than that will be VERY much appreciated, but is not expected in any way. 

 

 

 

Thanks for the helpful reply and as I noted in farangyai's reply I was surprised that a foot massage is still expected to last 1 hour. Tipping details were especially helpful as I have just no experience with non-full body oil massages where I always tip Bt1000, never less. So it's good to know reasonable tips are appreciated.

 

And fair comment to farangyai's reasons for a slightly higher tip level.  

 

I definitely plan to fit in some normal massage shop massages on my up coming visit to Thailand, seems I may have missed out some nice relaxing moments this last 15 years! ha.

 

I will use the Bkk silom/suriwong area shops but with regards to Pattaya massage shops around Tuk Com, has anyone visited the one directly opposite the rear exit/entrance to Tuk Com? When I have an oil massage I always pick the masseur I prefer irrespective if they run a list, when having a foot/standard massage do you still have the choice of masseur or is one assigned to you? Not that it's an issue for a foot massage, but would hope to chat during the massage so would prefer someone I specifically like as many of the massage lads stop me to chat when I pass their shops around Tuk Com as I go back and forth to my apartment in Mosaik, it would be nice to have one of those who makes an approach to do the massage.

[baobao]

I always ask for bao-bao, soft soft...

 

I don't recall you asking for me. I must have been off that day 

 

Seriously, though - after hobbling about for a day after my first massage in Thailand my friend laughed and suggested I say "bao-bao" to the massage therapists, also. He said it meant gentle or gently. Since people say that's me overall I picked it up as my online handle.

[TotallyOz]

The best massage I have ever gotten in Thailand was at the Thai Blind Institute.  It was a great massage and very firm.

 

The worst is when I was on a bike trip and I saw a cute young guy at a hotel and asked him for a massage and he sent over his grandmother who tried to have sex with me about 40 times.  I can still picture her teeth (or lack thereof) and singing to me as she massaged.  I always wondered if I was on the Thai version of Candid Camera.

[Bob]

....I can still picture her teeth (or lack thereof) and singing to me as she massaged.  I always wondered if I was on the Thai version of Candid Camera.

 

The video is on Youtube, Michael.  And, yes, it's hideous (well, she isn't so bad looking....).  

 

But I do think that the two worst (or at least hurtful) massages I've ever had in Thailand were both at the blind institutes - one by a guy at the blind institute in Jomtien in the complex off of Thepprasit Road and the other by an old woman at the blind institute here in Chiangmai near Suan Dok gate.  And I've somewhat concluded that both masseurs were also hard of hearing - as my continued yelps of "jep" and "jep maak" only seemed to spur them on to greater imitation of the Marquis de Sade.

 

The massage at the institute here in Chiangmai also didn't start out so well.  They hooked me up with the old lady who then escorted me to an old 2-story teak house.  As she led me through the door, she flicked the light switch at the bottom of the stairs - as it was darker than hell in there.  Unfortunately, being blind, she had no clue that the lights weren't working and she ended up pulling me up the stairs and around the room as I wasn't moving on my own (couldn't see a damn thing).  When she slammed me down on a mat on the floor, I actually thought about retaliating (however, lashing out at the pitch black didn't seem like a good idea). 

 

The most consistent and best Thai massages I've had here in Chiangmai have been at the Olde Thai Medicine Hospital (behind and near the airport Rim Ping market) which is major massage school up here.  For years, I always asked for Turd (yep, that was how he spelled his name in English) who was a few years younger than me but that, of course, never stopped them from their usual response: "Oh, you want old man!"  Unfortunately, the Turd has now retired at the ripe old age of 57. 

[ChristianPFC]

I sometimes have a foot massage (1 hour) after a day of walking or to observe coming and going in a massage place (to check if there are cute boys around for more next time).

 

I wear shorts anyway in Thailand, food massage goes up to knees. If you wear long trousers, roll them up to your upper calves. Fott massage usually ends with head and shoulder massage.

 

Beware of places that have no chairs for foot massage! I had such a case in Silom Soi 1, JJ massage, when it was Semra (?) some years ago. I was led to a massage room and lay on my back with legs at an angle. Not comfortable and nothing to see!

[Guest abang1961]

My nightmarish experience with Thai massage was not in Bangkok but in Ho Chi Minh City.

Just last weekend, I was there on a 3-day whirlwind visit when the impossible happened.

 

I walked into one reputable massage places in District 1 and wanted a good massage.

But it turned out to one of the most dangerous one.

The lady did not start with the soles of my feet but went straight to apply pressure on the upper back.

After 3 minutes of mis-massage-ment, I shouted for her to stop.

 

I told her I've learnt Thai massage (which is a FACT) in Thailand and what she just did was simply wrong.

I did not know what COURAGE I've got, I left the place after telling the mamasan that the massage was executed wrongly.

Luckily for me, there was no burly bouncers at the door and I just walked out without paying a single cent.

 

So for newbies to Thai massage, it should always start from the lowest region of your feet and moves gradually upwards.

The groin and bums area should NOT commence within the first 20 mins of the massage.

Tip generously if you can afford...

If the boy is cute, give more...

[farangyai]

 

The best massage I have ever gotten in Thailand was at the Thai Blind Institute.  It was a great massage and very firm.

 

The worst is when I was on a bike trip and I saw a cute young guy at a hotel and asked him for a massage and he sent over his grandmother who tried to have sex with me about 40 times.  I can still picture her teeth (or lack thereof) and singing to me as she massaged.  I always wondered if I was on the Thai version of Candid Camera.

Did you last through #39?

Normally the massage with no teeth and singing or humming costs extra and should be tipped the same as a happy ending! It certainly sounds worthy of being filmed.

[Moses]

Let me give you some "insider" info. Boys and girls who are working in massage shops live on tips: their salary is about 100 baht per day +50 baht from each massage (from oil usually 100 baht). That why they are sitting in front of shop and trying to catch customers. Working day lasts 12 hours, 4 day off per month including sickness. Penalty for each additional day off 300 baht. At high season they have 4-6 customers per 12 hours of work, at low season 2-3. 

 

They call customers who don't pay or pay small tips "Cheap Charly". Usually they expect tips about 50% from massage price for nonsexual service.

[Guest abang1961]

Thank Moses for the insider's info...

I am too ignorant of their allowance..so pittance..cant even afford meals and transport..

Now I know better.. thanks..

[farangyai]

Thanks Moses for the detailed information.  I always try to be reasonably generous. I know a few hundred baht means a lot to the young Thai worker.