Thai Massage vs Oil Massage: Which Should You Choose?

Choose a Thai massage if you want to feel looser and more flexible: it is done fully clothed on a floor mat, with firm pressing and stretching and no oil. Choose an oil massage if you want to unwind and be soothed: it is done on a bed with long, gliding strokes and warm or scented oil. Thai massage starts at 350 THB an hour at our shop, and oil massages start at 600 THB.

That is the short answer. The rest of this article helps you decide when you are still not sure, which is very common. Many of our guests try both during their stay.

The quick comparison

Thai massage, in more detail

Traditional Thai massage, Nuad Thai, is pressed and stretched rather than rubbed. You lie on a mat in loose clothes and the therapist works with hands, thumbs, elbows, knees and feet, moving you through stretches for your legs, hips, back and shoulders.

Many guests find it may help with:

• stiffness after flights, long bus rides or desk work,
• tight hips and hamstrings,
• feeling heavy or sluggish,
• moving more freely for a day or two afterwards.

It can feel firm, and some stretches are strong. Our therapists check the pressure with you, and you can always ask for softer. If you have never had one, our Thai massage page explains it in more detail.

Oil massage, in more detail

Oil massage is closer to what many people know from spas at home. You lie on a massage bed and the therapist uses warm oil and long, flowing strokes along the back, legs, arms and shoulders.

At our shop there are two main kinds:

• Aromatherapy (600 / 900 / 1,100 THB for 1h / 1.5h / 2h). You choose lemongrass, jasmine or eucalyptus.
• Hot oil (750 / 950 / 1,200 THB). Warm massage oil, for guests who want the warmth to do the work.

Many guests choose oil massage when they want to relax deeply, sleep well, or soothe muscles that feel tired rather than tight. You can compare them on our oil massage page.

How to decide

Ask yourself one question: do you want to be stretched or soothed?

1. Stiff and want to move better? Thai massage.
2. Stressed and want to switch off? Oil massage.
3. Sore after walking or hiking? Either works. Thai massage stretches tight legs, and hot oil feels lovely on tired muscles. A foot massage is another good choice.
4. Sensitive skin or allergies to perfumes? Thai massage, since it uses no oil.
5. Going straight out afterwards? Thai massage, so there is no oil on your skin.
6. Not comfortable undressing? Thai massage keeps you in loose clothes.

Somewhere in between

Not every choice is one or the other. Our menu also has treatments that sit between the two:

• Thai balm massage (400 / 550 / 750 THB) uses Thai balm.
• Thai herbal compress (500 / 700 / 900 THB) uses a warm, steamed ball of herbs pressed along the body.
• Hot candle massage (500 / 700 / 950 THB) uses warm, melted massage candle wax.
• Back, shoulder and head (400 / 550 / 800 THB) focuses on the upper body only.

The full list is on our services page.

A few practical notes

• Length: one hour is fine for a first try. For Thai massage, many people find two hours the most satisfying, because there is time for every stretch.
• Health: please see a doctor first if you have an injury, are pregnant, have had recent surgery or have blood-pressure problems, and tell your therapist before you start.
• At your hotel: both Thai and oil massage are available at your hotel or condo anywhere in the city, for the menu price plus 200 THB. See hotel massage.
• Booking ahead helps. Walk-ins sometimes wait 10 to 15 minutes while a therapist is called in.

Whichever you pick, the sheets and pillowcases are changed after every guest, and the price on the menu is the price you pay.

Stretched or soothed, you can book your massage here.