Thai Massage Guide

It can feel intense but it should not be painful. Traditional Thai uses firm pressure and deep stretches, so some strong sensation and mild next-day soreness are normal. Sharp pain is not. Control it with the pressure words: say bao for lighter, and jeb if something genuinely hurts, and the therapist will ease off straight away.

No. A traditional Thai massage is done fully clothed, usually in loose cotton clothes the shop provides, so you stay covered the whole time. Only oil and aromatherapy massages involve undressing to your underwear under a towel. If a shop asks you to undress for a standard Thai massage, treat that as a red flag and leave.

Yes. Wat Pho is the home of the country's most famous traditional massage school and runs a public massage service at the temple. A 60-minute traditional Thai or foot massage is priced at 520 baht, about Rs 1,482, with shorter and longer sessions also available. It is a popular option, so expect a wait at busy times.

Traditional Thai is clothed, uses no oil, and works through pressure and stretching on a floor mat. An oil massage uses long strokes with oil on a bed, and aromatherapy adds scented oils for a gentler, relaxing session. Foot and herbal-compress massages are softer still. The full Thai massage guide explains each type and who it suits.

Wear something loose and comfortable. Most places hand you a clean cotton top and drawstring trousers to change into, so you only need comfortable underwear underneath. Skip tight jeans or anything restrictive, since the session involves a lot of stretching and bending.

A tip of 50 to 100 baht, roughly Rs 145 to Rs 285, is standard, with a little more for a long or excellent session. Hand it directly to the therapist who worked on you rather than leaving it at the front desk. Tipping is expected but modest, and it is always in cash.