Bangkok Spas & Massage - Thai Massage
- Thailand
 Spas
Thailand enjoys a world-wide reputation for its tranquil spas and
retreats. In Bangkok, the traditional arts of Thai massage, a rather
vigorous but highly invigorating experience, have been combined
with a series of modern, holistic treatments such as body wraps,
facials and mud-baths to give a visitor to one of Bangkok’s
many spas a soothing and relaxing experience; the perfect way to
escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
There is a large choice of spas and retreats around Bangkok, which
range from the brief but refreshing short-stop treatment to the
complete and utter luxury of a full day’s pampering. Most
of the high-end hotels such as the Oriental, Holiday Inn, Dusit
and the Marriot all contain their own in-house spas. Also, there
are a number of world-class private spas dotted around the city,
the most notable of these being the Mandara and Aspara Spas.
A perfect blend of ancient Eastern traditional treatments with
the more modern, Western approach, these spas in Bangkok are simply
wonderful. All the stresses and strains of modern life will be scrubbed,
massaged and cleaned away, leaving you feeling like a new person.
 The
Ananda Spa, (tel: +66 (0) 2 255-7200) located next to the
President Solitaire Serviced Apartments on Sukhumvit lane 11 allows
guests to escape the busy streets of Bangkok and enter another world.
The spa has a number of private rooms which all contain Jacuzzis,
showers and relaxation areas. The spa offers a huge range of spa
treatments at competitive prices.
The
Divana Spa,(tel: +66 (0) 2 661 6784) a notabl e
name in Bangkok spas treatment, has recently opened a new spa and
wellbeing centre called ‘DVN’ on Sukhumwit lane 35,
opposite the Emporium Department Store and very close to the Prmophong
BTS Station. Placed in a two-storey Thai house and surrounded by
lush tropical gardens, the centre contains nine private couple rooms
and 17 treatment beds. Each room has its own design and theme. The
spa offers a wide range of treatments all designed to relieve stress
and relax visitors.
The
Mandara brand is a well-known name to spa users. Their
unique blend of Eastern and Western techniques is sure to soothe
even the most stressed out of visitors. The Mandara Spas ’
signature treatment is performed by two therapists working together
in perfect harmony for the ultimate massage. The Mandara Spa has
outlets in the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel (tel: + 66 (0)
2 261 9000), the Royal Sheraton Hotel and the Bangkok Marriot Resort
and Spa (tel: + 66 (0) 2 476 0022).
The
Aspara Spa at the Hotel Plaza Athenee (tel: +66 (0) 2 650
8800) offers four separate ‘Couple Spa Packages’. For
just 5,800 baht, a couple can enjoy a full range of treatments in
a perfect romantic day together.
The
Orientist Spas is a unique and exclusive place where visitors
can truly relax and escape the stress and strain of modern life.
The Spa uses traditional Thai herbs and techniques to give visitors
the full benefit of thousands of years’ experience. The Orientist
Spa has two branches; one is at 69 Phaholyothin Road, Soi 6 (tel:
+ 66 (0) 2 278 2240). The other is 1111/148 Lad Phrao Road, Chantatakrasem,
Chatuchak (tel: + 66 (0) 2 513 7605).
Spa I Am is a haven of peace and relaxation within the heart of
bustling Bangkok. Its 26 private rooms are all fitted out with Jacuzzis,
saunas and steam rooms. There is a beauty salon on hand to ensure
you look as good as you feel. Spa I Am is based on Ladprao 18, Bangkok
(tel: +66 (0) 2 938 4888).
Another popular form of cleansing that has taken root in Bangkok
over the past few years is detoxification. Always popular in the
East, but now being practised by health-nuts and party-goers alike,
these techniques aim to rid the body of toxins over a relatively
short period. Places like the Rasayana Retreat and Hydro Health
over a selection of different programmes that range from one day
to a month.
As advantageous as all the luxury and tranquility of these spas
and retreats are, a visitor to Bangkok should not neglect the more
rustic and down to earth relaxation on offer on the streets of Bangkok.
There are often small and friendly massage venues dotted around,
which offer one or two hours of massage for a very small fee. Also,
exercise and relaxation can easily be found in Bangkok’s parks
and temples.
If you cannot make it to the Bangkok spas there are plenty more
provided in the beach resorts as well as Chiang Mai which has an
abundance of good value spas.
Massage
Thai massage is one of the skills that makes the country famous
and it isn’t because of sleaze either. In fact, there are
many qualified Thai massage practictioners across the city who have
been properly trained in this ancient art that derives from Ayurvedic
medicine and has been passed down through the generations. Most
famously it is taught by the monks at Wat Pho and is considered
a very healthy and rejuvenating treatment.
Of course, many visitors to Bangkok imagine a trip to a massage
shop as something entirely more discreet and dirty, and if that’s
what you are after we recommend you read our page on body massage.
For the rest of us, receiving a Thai massage in Bangkok is one
of those activities that ought to be top of your list, and it’s
a great way to soothe the aches and pains and relieve the stress
of a busy day hitting the pavements in Bangkok. It’s surprisingly
cheap and during a one or two hour session you will be gently kneaded,
stretched, contorted and ‘re-aligned’, leaving you a
relaxed and rejuvenated.
Massage is an integral part of life in Bangkok as it is through
the rest of Thailand. Within Thai families it is a common practice
for family members to massage one another, especially young people
massaging their elders as a sign of respect and affection. Often
individual family members pass down techniques in massage that have
survived through the generations.
Not surprisingly then, there are hundreds of Bangkok massage shops
dotted throughout the city offering a full range of massage services
at excellent prices. Massage services can be found in small shops
throughout the city and in the lobbies of many hotels. Prices for
an hour of traditional Thai massage can range anywhere from Bt150
per hour and up. It’s cheaper if you visit an out-of-the-way
shop and only have a basic massage. It’s far more expensive
in hotels, luxury spas and if you choose extras such as using herbs
etc.
There are actually several different massage types and techniques.
Thai
massage: which involves vigorously treating more than 100
areas of the body, using hand pressure and the masseuse’s
own body to apply forces that aim to work pressure points, and re-align
energy lines in the body. Ideally, this process takes at least two
hours and can be a little uncomfortable at times, but leaves you
feeling very relaxed.
Oil
Massage: is gentler than Thai massage and involves deep
muscle tissue treatment using specially blended therapeutic oils.
Of course it leaves you a little oily afterwards, requiring a shower
to freshen up, but can be a very sensual experience.
Foot
massage: works the internal organs of the body through
manipulation of pressure points on the soles of your feet in much
the same way as reflexology. This is another skill that has been
passed down through the ages and can be quite effective in producing
a mild detox effect on the body.
The centre for massage in Thailand is the school of natural medicine
at Bangkok’s Wat Pho. The Temple of the Reclining Buddha,
Wat Pho is well renowned for its massage school and for preserving
the practice of Thai massage, which has been a practice passed down
for centuries in Thailand.
Visitors to Wat Pho can enjoy a massage at the skilled hands of
the practitioners there for 250 baht an hour, or 350 for a massage
using herbal medicines and hot compresses. Visitors to Bangkok can
also take some of the ancient techniques of Thai massage home with
them by enrolling in a 10- to 15-day massage course at Wat Pho,
which costs about 4,500 baht.
Those looking for a good massage should keep an eye out for massage
shops run by blind people in Bangkok, as many blind people study
and become quite adept at providing Thai massage services.
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