Your First Thai Massage: What to Expect

On your first Thai massage you will stay fully clothed in loose clothes, lie on a padded mat on the floor, and be pressed and gently stretched from your feet up to your head for about one to two hours. It should feel firm but never painful, and you can ask for softer or stronger at any time. Book one hour for a first try, or two hours if you want the full experience, and book ahead if you can.

Lots of our guests are trying Thai massage for the first time, and most of them are a little unsure what happens. Here is the whole visit, step by step.

Arriving

Our shop is in Chang Phueak, north-west of the Old City and a short ride from Nimman. We are in front of Huen Jao Ban Hotel, and you can park for free in the hotel. Directions are on our location page.

When you arrive, tell us which treatment and how long you would like, and mention any injuries or areas to avoid. You will see the prices on the menu, and those are the prices you pay. There are no surprises at the end.

If you walk in without booking, you may wait 10 to 15 minutes while a therapist is called in. Booking ahead avoids that.

What to wear

Traditional Thai massage is done fully clothed, so the easiest choice is something loose and soft that you can stretch in: think yoga clothes, light trousers or shorts, and a loose T-shirt. Jeans and tight skirts get in the way of the stretches.

Many Thai massage shops provide loose cotton clothes to change into. If you are not sure what to bring, ask when you book.

An oil or aromatherapy massage is different, because the oil goes on bare skin. If you are unsure what that involves, just ask us.

What the massage feels like

You lie on a mat on the floor. The therapist often starts with your feet and legs and works upwards, using palms, thumbs, elbows, knees and feet to press along the muscles. In between, they move you into stretches: lifting a leg, turning your hips, gently twisting your back.

A few things first-timers often notice:

It is slower than you expect. The pressure builds steadily rather than suddenly.
Some points feel strong. That is normal around tight spots like the hips and shoulders.
The stretches feel like being moved, not doing work. You simply relax and let the therapist do it.
Many people fall asleep. That is completely fine.

Pressure and speaking up

Pressure is personal, and there is no right level. Our therapists check the pressure with you during the massage, but please say something whenever you want a change. "Softer, please" or "stronger, please" is all you need.

Tell your therapist straight away if anything hurts in a sharp way, if a stretch is too much, or if you feel dizzy. Please see a doctor before booking if you have an injury, are pregnant, have had recent surgery or have blood-pressure problems, and mention it before you start.

Talking during the massage

You do not need to talk. Many guests stay quiet and drift off. If you want to chat, or need to say something about the pressure, that is fine too. Just do whatever helps you relax.

Afterwards

When the massage ends, take a moment before you stand up, especially after a long session. We serve water after every massage, and drinking a little more over the rest of the day is a good idea. Some people feel slightly tender the next day after strong pressure, which usually passes quickly.

Tipping in Thailand

Tipping is not required, and you should never feel pressured. That said, it is common in Thailand to give your therapist a small cash tip if you enjoyed the massage. Travel guides often suggest something in the range of 50 to 100 baht for an hour, a little more for a longer session. If you do tip, it is best to hand it to your therapist directly, in baht. Whatever you decide is up to you.

How long to book

Length	Good for
1 hour	A first try, or one focus area
1.5 hours	More time on the back and shoulders
2 hours	The full, unhurried Thai massage

A traditional Thai massage at our shop is 350 THB for 1 hour, 500 THB for 1.5 hours and 700 THB for 2 hours. See every treatment on our services page.

Booking ahead

Booking is easy and helps us have your therapist ready when you arrive. On our booking page you pick the treatment, the time and your therapist, and it sends us a WhatsApp or LINE message. Our hours are 10:00 to 23:00 on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 to 22:00 on Wednesday, and 13:00 to 23:00 on Saturday.

Robin H. put it simply in a Google review: "Best massage in Chiang Mai, good quality, kind staff and great price!"

Ready for your first one? Book your Thai massage here.