Everything you need to know about Thai massage in Thailand: complete guide 2026

The complete guide to Thai massage, the different types offered in salons, vocabulary, history, techniques…

Thai massage is not just a relaxing interlude, but an ancient ritual recognized by UNESCO, which combines bodily harmony, medicinal tradition and millennial know-how.

Here is your complete guide to choose, name, practice… and fully appreciate it during your stay in Thailand.

The Thai massage is, like the smile, a specialty of Thailand that you shouldn't miss.

Whether it's for an energetic massage, specific to a health problem or just for an oil massage to relax, you won't have any trouble finding a massage parlor in Thailand, even in remote areas of the country.

The different types of Thai massage

Before entering a massage parlor, you need to know what you're there for, as there are several types of massage:

Foot massage: nuad tao

Foot reflexology: diagram of vital points in the feet.

Thai foot massage is a very relaxing massage that promotes a long-term sense of well-being.

It begins with a foot bath in scented water, then after quickly applying massage oil to one of your feet, it will be wrapped in a towel while the masseuse works on the other.

Stick used for foot massage.

The massage will be done with the hands and the help of a small wooden stick used to apply pressure to certain areas of the foot (acupuncture points) that are linked to important organs.

This massage actively stimulates the muscles, lymph, and energy points of the body.

It will help relieve circulatory disorders, digestive problems, nervous system disorders, and joint pain.

Body massage: nuad bo rarn

Thai massage

Before practicing this massage, you will be asked to wear cotton pajamas.

This massage helps harmonize the energy networks necessary for the proper functioning of the organs, as well as nervous and emotional relaxation.

But you should know that it can be painful, often the masseuse will ask you if you want a strong or light massage.

If you don't want to suffer, you can just say "bao bao" light…

But you should know that in general the masseuse knows what she's doing and that a massage can be painful because there's a circulation problem and that's why she'll insist on the point where it hurts.

Thai oil massage: nuad nam man

Thai oil massage.

It's a very pleasant, sensual moment of relaxation and it's also an olfactory journey, with the application of essential oils.

For this massage, you will have to remove all your clothes, even underwear (if you don't want to find them with oil), you are given just a towel to cover your intimate parts.

It's a massage from feet to head, the masseuse practices fluid and linear movements with oils to stimulate the energy lines of your body and revitalize your muscles.

In some massage parlors, you will also be offered special massages with medicinal plants:

Thai medicinal herbal massage: nuad samunprai

Pouches for herbal medicinal massage.

The herbal massage is practiced with pouches filled with medicinal plants steamed to vapor

For this massage, you will be given a cotton pajama.

It's a very pleasant massage during which the masseuse alternates deep pressure with ballotins and superficial touch, from feet to head, to relax the muscles deeply.

The ballotins are applied directly to your skin so that the plants release their active ingredient and relieve tension.

See also: Medicinal plants in Thailand

Intimate massages and soapy massages

Soapy massage parlor in Pattaya. Photo: pattayamail.com

Then, you should know, whether you are a man or a woman, depending on the salons and if the massage is done in a private room, it is possible that the masseuse will offer you a more intimate massage by asking you for a supplement.

There are also large massage parlors, the soapy massage parlor where the masseuses are behind a display case with a number attached to their chest.

Here, it's a matter of "special massages" where a sexual relationship is included in the service.

Massage prices in Thailand

Massage prices at Ban Tamnan Thai massage parlor in Bangkok.

The price varies depending on the region, it's always more expensive in tourist areas unless there is strong competition, the type of parlor, whether the massage is done in a large room or a private room, whether there's air conditioning or not…

Body massages in small villages are done in communal rooms and can cost just 150 bahts for an hour.

Prices in tourist areas in 2026:

• Traditional massage: 250–600 bahts/h
• Oil massage: 300–800 bahts/h
• Herbal massage: 500–1,200 bahts/h

It is customary to leave a tip of 40/50 baht (or more) for the masseuse if the massage is well done, but if the price is above 500 baht, it is probably already included.

Traditional Thai massage (nuad bo rarn)

Stretching during a traditional Thai massage.

When we talk about Thai massage, nuad bo rarn, we are talking about body massage, or nuad toua, it's the most practiced massage in the country.

Three elements characterize Thai massage

Dynamic and fluid stretching exercises

These exercises are generally based on yoga postures, but no prior knowledge of this discipline is required, the masseuse takes care of everything, you just have to let yourself be treated.

Energetic work

It involves applying pressure to specific regions or points along the body's energy lines called sen, which are acupuncture points.

The practitioner applies pressure using their palms, thumbs, fingers, arms, forearms, elbows, and feet.

Thai massage, Nuad Bo Rarn.

Massage should be done with a meditative attitude

You can really feel it with the good massage therapists, they are very focused, trying to harmonize with the patient.

Wat Pho Massage School in Bangkok.

Origins of Thai massage

Thai massage was born around 2,500 years ago, following the arrival in Thailand of doctors and Buddhist monks from India.

Drawing its origin from Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Thai medicine considers that all forms of life are animated by an invisible energy, prana.

According to Indian medicine, energy, prana, circulates in the body through the nadis, a network of 72,000 energetic channels.

When energy is blocked or restricted, there is an imbalance that leads to health problems.

Thai massage focuses on the 10 main nadis, which are, in a way, the major energy routes, called 'sen', and which allow the entire body to be treated.

Mural paintings of Wat Pho.

In ancient times, Thai massage was transmitted orally, from master to student, in Buddhist temples or in the families of masseurs.

Theart of Thai massage arrived in Europe from the 1960s, but it was in the 1980s, with the publication, in 1990, of the first book written in English on the subject, that Thai massage spread to the West.

In Thailand, massage is considered a therapeutic treatment that is practiced both in temples and in hospitals.

Benefits of Thai massage

Thai massage relieves muscle tension, energy blockages (when prana, energy, cannot circulate), and makes the body more supple and mobile.

Thai massage has a relaxing effect that calms the mind and gives a feeling of overall well-being.

It helps to cure circulation problems, back pain, headaches, anxiety, fatigue and stress.

You really shouldn't deprive yourself of it if you're in Thailand, as Thai massage makes life more harmonious, keeps you healthy and makes you feel good, happier.

To go further, see: The benefits of traditional Thai massage

Video: traditional Thai massage techniques

A presentation of Thai massage techniques by Ban Sabai massage salon.

Learning Thai massage

Traditionally, it was taught in Buddhist temples like the Wat Pho massage school in Bangkok, which is open to foreigners and offers classes in English.

However, due to the growing interest of travelers, you can now find Thai massage schools with English-language instruction, and sometimes French, in most major tourist cities.

See also: Massage schools in Thailand

View books on Thai massage on Amazon.

You can also find accessories for Thai massage on the Thai Massage store on Amazon.

Sources: wikipedia.org; Photos: Traditional Thai massage: Bhattharasinthorn Kosawan & Chot-Anan Kittiraweechot Thai massage stretching: Hochgeladen Massage pavilion at Wat Pho: Heinrich Damm Mural paintings at Wat Pho: Heinrich Damm; Thai massage cobra position, Thai massage 2, Thai massage sitting position: Marcin Bober;