Any current recommendations for a REAL massage, by that I mean properly trained, nice premises etc. No happy ending wanted.

 

And the cost would be nice.

 

Prefer around Victory and North to MorChit but I will go anywhere of it's good.

In spite of the usual story, happy endings aren't offered so often except in certain districts. In most respectable looking places with nice decor and a reasonable price on the main drag it won't even be mentioned as an option, this is even true of many of the shops in Pattaya. Never heard much about dodgy massages in the area you mention, with the exception of the naughty area near Sutthisan. Expertise is a different story, really depends on the individual. They can be certified to work in a few days here, and a pretty girl with ten days experience draws more punters in than the fat yai with twenty years... there's also the male masseurs who can work more strongly if required. Horses for courses really, depends what you prefer. A lot of people swear by the blind massage shops around town, cheap and experienced. My negatives about Thai massage are usually more related to the slow strokes and wide application of pressure they tend to use here that I find doesn't really stimulate the muscles, deliberate blocking and release of blood flow in the femoral artery, and their pseudo expertise in bone cracking and aligning, these can be dangerous given that they're not medically trained and also not familiar with the western skeleton and it's different flexibility and structure than the Asian one. For a bit of pampering on the other hand by a sweet young lady in pleasant surroundings, it's generally a bargain, and sometimes you really do find one with the magic touch. 

I just moved to Ari and found a new massage place last week...9massage&spa.  It would be a short walk from Sanam Pao or Ari BTS.  330 baht for a 1.5hr thai massage.  Good massage at a good price.

 

2 Phahonyothin Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900

11 minutes ago, Days Off said:

I just moved to Ari and found a new massage place last week...9massage&spa.  It would be a short walk from Sanam Pao or Ari BTS.  330 baht for a 1.5hr thai massage.  Good massage at a good price.

 

2 Phahonyothin Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900

Nice premises? Or relatively nice 5555....Thanks!

I've been to worse.  It's not bad for the price.  If you want a good, cheap massage then go for it.  If you are looking for more high end spa...this ain't your place.

A few on Soi Rang Naam near the Phaya Thai end past Century Mall. Advertised 200-250b/hr for a regular Thai session. Certainly don't look sleazy any of them. And the masseuses sitting outside that I see aren't 20year old pretties, so happy endings don't seem to be on the menu.

 

In the middle of Rang Naam seems a rather snooty looking place with an ornate lobby but I haven't been nor do I know prices.