If You Own A Massage Shop...

[hellodolly]

Very occassionally i like a relaxing massage, however I find the Thai massage pretty brutal and at times painful. (maybe I'm a wimp with a low pain threshold) Now I always ask for a mixture Oil & Thai massage and ask them not to do so hard (bow bow). Some of these ladies do not know their own strength. My wife loves a Thai massage andhas them done in the home. I cringe when I see the way she is pulled about but she says she feels so good after it. I think she might be a masochist and the masseur a sadist.

Most of the Thai ladies who work in these massage shops do have to go to a school and pass a course before the owners will allow them to work. (A previous GF of mine paid 15,000B for a course in Bangkok). However this is just to ensure they know the correct procedure for Head, feet or body (Thai) Oil massage. They are not taught in depth about the anatomy of the body, how it works, and how to treat conditions one may suffer from. They are not trained Chiropractors or trained as highly as Physiotherapists so one should not go to these places if they have a pain problem and expect them to sort it our for you.

Never had a problem with noise levels or ladies chatting too much. But again when they get paid about 50B an hour I don't expect too much.

My wife has a certifacate showing she comppleted a course in Thai massage. She was teaching her sister but hersister had to stop fora while as the pain in her arms got to much. I hate it when you get the foot massage where they use a stick on you.

If pain is your game go to the blind massage in the old city on what is Lo Kroh on the East side of the city and ask for a medium massage. I shudder to think what a maximum massage would be. The mild one involves a little pain.

I think it is just past the first set of traffic lights you would come to in the old city on the left hand side of the road. Or coming from Chiang Mai gate (the main one on the south side of the city) take a left at the traffic light.

[eyecatcher]

Just a few points for clarity; and to those who claim massage (thai massage/oil massage) is waste of time and money.

Benefits of full body massage include:

• It alleviates physical and emotional tension
  
• It releases and relaxes muscles for improved flexibility
  
• Relief from general muscular aches and pains
  
• Muscolo-skeletal realignment
  
• Sciatica Pain
  
• Improves circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system
  

And faced with the on going question of cheap v moderate just consider the following becasue this is why;

Cheap Massage…..Why was that??

Maybe…. You went to a high turnover in and out shop

Maybe…. You played a lucky draw that your ‘therapist’ was skilled and trained professionally or more likely an incompetent amateur

Maybe…. You choose to have a simple air fan or no fan

Maybe… You don’t get a choice of aroma oil

Maybe.… Your ‘aroma’ oil was vegetable oil cut with petroleum

Maybe… You get no footbath or at best a ‘foot splash’

Maybe… You lay on a thin mattress or a sheet on the floor.

Maybe… The shop didn’t have ambient relaxing music

Maybe… The shop didn’t have genuine essential oil aromas burning

Maybe… The oil burning was bought from the local market made from manufactured chemicals

Maybe… The hot oil was not hot because they don’t keep it heated

Maybe… Your masseuse is exactly what you paid for-also working bars; restaurants; or shops part time.

Maybe…. Your masseuses only motivation is to work towards a ‘special’ massage

Maybe… You were very lucky even to be offered a drink of water afterwards

Maybe…. You didn’t realise drinking cold water can be dangerous after aroma oil massage.

Maybe… You did not have a private room/area

Maybe…. You did, but your privacy only guarded by cheap hospital curtains

Maybe ….You had to suffer the constant chatter of other masseuses, customers?

Maybe… You had to have massage in your own clothes or underwear.

Maybe… You didn’t get offered a shower

Maybe… You did get a shower but tried unsuccessfully to rid yourself of the vegetable oil and petroleum

Maybe… You don’t mind your masseuse answering her mobile

Maybe… Your towels were used by the last 4 customers

Maybe… The mattress sheets were changed just once a day (or worse)

And they say you pay for what you get….and you get what you pay for.

NOT MAYBE…..DEFINATELY

yes you can get lucky, but not often,

maybe we will get the opportunity prove my points....but appreciate I cannot advertise.

[mcgriffith]

Sounds like you are pretty passionate about this massage thing, eyecatcher!

I love a good, professionally done Thai massage.

Some friends who are long-timers here are dismissive on the idea- never had a massage or had one bad one, and think it is a waste of money, etc.

That's fine for them- but I will always continue to get my massages- I find them very relaxing and at the same time enervating.

Stimulates the muscles and nerves, gets the old blood flowing through the (clogged) arteries- money well spent IMO.

[muchogra]

I go to a place that does medicinal massage and they do a great job, however, if there is anyone else in the room and there often is, the Thais - customers and staff - chat the whole time. However, the price is right and my masseuse is so good that I figure it is worth putting up with.

I have relatives coming in from Canada early next month. They are my elders, in the early 70's but very healthy and agile. They love the massage in Thailand. As I'm quite new to CM, I would appreciate if you could recommend some decent places - clean and good for ordinary folks!

Go to Nong Massage in Nong Hoi, in front of Riverside Condo next to 7-11, central sound system, the best prices with the best masseuses in CM, no monkey business, the most popular place for Holiday Inn and Riverside Condo. Facebook...nong.massage

Thanks. My wife and I will try it out at the end of the month when we return from Bangkok. It's better if we try it out first before taking our guests there.

[muchogra]

I go to a place that does medicinal massage and they do a great job, however, if there is anyone else in the room and there often is, the Thais - customers and staff - chat the whole time. However, the price is right and my masseuse is so good that I figure it is worth putting up with.

I have relatives coming in from Canada early next month. They are my elders, in the early 70's but very healthy and agile. They love the massage in Thailand. As I'm quite new to CM, I would appreciate if you could recommend some decent places - clean and good for ordinary folks!

Perhaps you might ask them where to go.

Seems like every one expects some thing different from a massage. For myself I expect to have a good feeling after the massage. It would be nice to have it during the massage but my experience with that has been nothing after the massage was over. A Thai massage to the best of my knowledge has some pain in the process. I think it is Swedish where the whole thing is enjoyable. Could be wrong on that.

I don't mind the ladies chatting amongst them selves it gives me time to sink into myself mentally.

There's almost always some pain during the massage but I feel much lighter and relaxed afterward. Every time I go I need to tell the masseur bou bou noi (lighter or softer).

Had some really good foot massage in China a fw years back. You put your feet in a basin with agitatig warm water and pebbles at the bottom. Afterward you get your feet massaged. When I left the place I felt so light walking didn't feel tire at all. It wasn't expensive neither inside a 4-star hotel, about 40 rmb then for an hour. I guess progress has made the price more expensive now.

[hellodolly]

Lets be frank about this. Most, yes most, ie "the vast majority" of so called massage shops are BULLSHIT, unqualified, or barely qualified staff who mostly have no real idea what they are doing. I ve heard of many people who have gone for a massage when theyve had a slight twinge and ended up WORSE than when they entered!!

Fully professional trained staff are mostly in the higher end Spa type places which most of us cant afford. If you want a cheap thrill or to waste, yes, waste an hour or two, then good luck.

Me? I dont go to any massage at all, and I m a fully fit 64 year old without aches pains or anything. Massage here? Total and complete waste of time. ANOTHER area where there should but wont be a licensing system because its yet another area that gets Thailand a bad name.

Now let me get this right you consider a Thai massage to be equal to the sex trade for giving Thailand a bad name. You have never had one WOW you are like most of the people in the rest of the world.

You are fully fit 64 year old without aches pains or anything. Do you attribute that to never having a Thai massage, or any kind of massage?

You have never had a massage but you know where to get the best ones and the ones that are just a cheap thrill. Makes no sense to me but I guess it does to you.

What is your idea of a qualified Thai massager? You do realize their are different kinds of massages other than Thai.

I had a few massages in Canada before I came here by a licensed massager. She had two years of training. It hurt like hell some of the time and never left me feeling any better than the ones you are putting down here. If they are so bad why do many people continue to use them? Do you feel they are not as intelligent as you?

[hellodolly]

Lets be frank about this. Most, yes most, ie "the vast majority" of so called massage shops are BULLSHIT, unqualified, or barely qualified staff who mostly have no real idea what they are doing. I ve heard of many people who have gone for a massage when theyve had a slight twinge and ended up WORSE than when they entered!!

Fully professional trained staff are mostly in the higher end Spa type places which most of us cant afford. If you want a cheap thrill or to waste, yes, waste an hour or two, then good luck.

Me? I dont go to any massage at all, and I m a fully fit 64 year old without aches pains or anything. Massage here? Total and complete waste of time. ANOTHER area where there should but wont be a licensing system because its yet another area that gets Thailand a bad name.

Have you ever gone to any massage shop in Thailand?

MSPain

Hardly ever. Dont need them. Massages are mostly bullshit. Dont feel any different coming out than when I went in. Its another "emperors new clothes" thing, youre in Thailand, they do massages, you have one and pretend you feel better. But you dont. Not really.

First you say you don't go to them now you say you do.

No I do not want to buy your bridge.

[hellodolly]

I go to a place that does medicinal massage and they do a great job, however, if there is anyone else in the room and there often is, the Thais - customers and staff - chat the whole time. However, the price is right and my masseuse is so good that I figure it is worth putting up with.

I have relatives coming in from Canada early next month. They are my elders, in the early 70's but very healthy and agile. They love the massage in Thailand. As I'm quite new to CM, I would appreciate if you could recommend some decent places - clean and good for ordinary folks!

Perhaps you might ask them where to go.

Seems like every one expects some thing different from a massage. For myself I expect to have a good feeling after the massage. It would be nice to have it during the massage but my experience with that has been nothing after the massage was over. A Thai massage to the best of my knowledge has some pain in the process. I think it is Swedish where the whole thing is enjoyable. Could be wrong on that.

I don't mind the ladies chatting amongst them selves it gives me time to sink into myself mentally.

There's almost always some pain during the massage but I feel much lighter and relaxed afterward. Every time I go I need to tell the masseur bou bou noi (lighter or softer).

Had some really good foot massage in China a fw years back. You put your feet in a basin with agitatig warm water and pebbles at the bottom. Afterward you get your feet massaged. When I left the place I felt so light walking didn't feel tire at all. It wasn't expensive neither inside a 4-star hotel, about 40 rmb then for an hour. I guess progress has made the price more expensive now.

O think that was talked about here quite a while ago some place towards the air port Mall not sure. Sounds great.

[hellodolly]

I go to a place that does medicinal massage and they do a great job, however, if there is anyone else in the room and there often is, the Thais - customers and staff - chat the whole time. However, the price is right and my masseuse is so good that I figure it is worth putting up with.

I have relatives coming in from Canada early next month. They are my elders, in the early 70's but very healthy and agile. They love the massage in Thailand. As I'm quite new to CM, I would appreciate if you could recommend some decent places - clean and good for ordinary folks!

Go to Nong Massage in Nong Hoi, in front of Riverside Condo next to 7-11, central sound system, the best prices with the best masseuses in CM, no monkey business, the most popular place for Holiday Inn and Riverside Condo. Facebook...nong.massage

Thanks. My wife and I will try it out at the end of the month when we return from Bangkok. It's better if we try it out first before taking our guests there.

I am sorry but I am really having a hard time believing the best prices and the masseuses in Chiang Mai.

All in the same shop.

Reminds me of the old saying you can have it good, fast or cheap. But only two of them.

[eyecatcher]

The Thai authorities are now trying to regulate the number and standards of massage shops throughout becasue of this sliding reputation and whilst most are still setting up sub standard places; those that are regulated are the ones to visit.

below I attach the certificate which is accredited to spas and massage shops which have achieved the following in standards and health and safety.

• the premises are safe and clean
  
• the therapists have all got their full training certificates
  
• operating procedures and systems in place
  
• there are fire extinguishers inside
  
• there are no locks on the doors
  
• the kitchen prep area is spotless
  
• the products come from reputable sources
  
• air con and extract fans
  
• shower facilities for customers
  

this certificate is available for massage shops aswell as spas; but for a little bit of assurance on standards and quality, if you look for this logo you know they have had a dozen officials from the ministry of health around to inspect every aspect of the business. We are proud of ours, thats for sure.

a tip: go for Thai massage is you need re-energising; go for oil for relaxation; not t,other way round.

[amexpat]

If you're like me and don't really care about

• operating procedures and systems in place (Windows, Unix, Ubuntu?)
  
• there are fire extinguishers inside
  
• there are no locks on the doors
  
• shower facilities for customer
  

then you can skip the certificate, pay half as much, enjoy a massage, go home for a shower and a nap. Ahhhh.</p>

[eyecatcher]

If you're like me and don't really care about

• operating procedures and systems in place (Windows, Unix, Ubuntu?)
  
• there are fire extinguishers inside
  
• there are no locks on the doors
  
• shower facilities for customer
  

then you can skip the certificate, pay half as much, enjoy a massage, go home for a shower and a nap. Ahhhh.</p>

Which is exactly the point I made in my first post "you pay for what you get...and you get what you pay for"

Thats the choice people make.

so you can share noodle soup on the roadside with rats for half price

or you can buy a cut and shut car with no seatbelts for half price

or you can go to a nightclub with no means of escape in a fire for free

or you can choose not to take out life insurance for free

some people value health and safety for their personal wellbeing and asyou know its priority number 1 in the west everywhere.....

but I will tell my girls that if ever you come by, to try and perusade you to have a coffee body scrub for half price then send you home for the shower.

[Cheesekraft]

Go to the woman prison massage , no phones there and a good relaxing massage !

When I went there, my therapist was on the cell phone yapping with one hand and the other was resting on my leg for a good five minutes, then she left the room and continued talking for a minute or so. =(

Where are the best Thai massages?

[amexpat]

Which is exactly the point I made in my first post "you pay for what you get...and you get what you pay for"

Thats the choice people make.

so you can share noodle soup on the roadside with rats for half price

or you can buy a cut and shut car with no seatbelts for half price

or you can go to a nightclub with no means of escape in a fire for free

or you can choose not to take out life insurance for free

......

You are a funny guy. I don't know anyone who does any of those things. Nor do I overpay for goods or services.

"you pay for what you get...and you get what you pay for" I hear this a lot. Sometimes it's true but just as often what you are paying for is glitter, advertising, or just more than you can really use.

Please continue puffing your wares in your highly exuberant fashion. It's fun to read. Just don't scare me too much about all the things that can happen to me if I go somewhere else for a massage.

[hellodolly]

Sounds like you are pretty passionate about this massage thing, eyecatcher!

I love a good, professionally done Thai massage.

Some friends who are long-timers here are dismissive on the idea- never had a massage or had one bad one, and think it is a waste of money, etc.

That's fine for them- but I will always continue to get my massages- I find them very relaxing and at the same time enervating.

Stimulates the muscles and nerves, gets the old blood flowing through the (clogged) arteries- money well spent IMO.

Well I like your description of the benefits.

But I am a little confused about the professional idea. If a person does it for a living are they not a professional or is it figured by the surroundings or the cost.

What goes into them being a professional. If they give me a massage and I enjoy it and walk away feeling great and they give you the same massage and you walk away feeling all bent up. Would that make a difference into their qualifications.

I had a professional in Canada who took two years of schooling and she told me she could not sense the spots that needed the most work for the first year it was something she developed.

But I digress she was not a Thai massager. I thought a Thai massage was a way of doing some thing that should be a universal practice of all who give Thai massages. Well close to the same.

I often wonder if people get a Thai massage and think it is no good because it did not give them the same feelings as a Swedish massage. The message there is do people know what they are asking for when they ask for a Thai massage?

Just had a wonderful foot massage this morning feet are tingling a lot less. (diabetic) Does that make her a professional or an amateur. I don't know nor do I care.It was and is wonderful.

I think some of these people running what they consider to be a professional massage don't mean Thai only. They mean to say trained is more than one way to do give a massage.

[hellodolly]

If you're like me and don't really care about

• operating procedures and systems in place (Windows, Unix, Ubuntu?)
  
• there are fire extinguishers inside
  
• there are no locks on the doors
  
• shower facilities for customer
  

then you can skip the certificate, pay half as much, enjoy a massage, go home for a shower and a nap. Ahhhh.</p>

Which is exactly the point I made in my first post "you pay for what you get...and you get what you pay for"

Thats the choice people make.

so you can share noodle soup on the roadside with rats for half price

or you can buy a cut and shut car with no seatbelts for half price

or you can go to a nightclub with no means of escape in a fire for free

or you can choose not to take out life insurance for free

some people value health and safety for their personal wellbeing and asyou know its priority number 1 in the west everywhere.....

but I will tell my girls that if ever you come by, to try and perusade you to have a coffee body scrub for half price then send you home for the shower.

You may bee right about all you say there. But what if you feel like sh t with all that around you.

One other thing are you really sure you want to say you has a bunch of inspectors who work for a corruptio center of Government OK your buildings and it's contents.

quote

"operating procedures and systems in place (Windows, Unix, Ubuntu?)

there are fire extinguishers inside

there are no locks on the doors

shower facilities for customer

" an admirable list but what about the people who want a good Thai massage?

[hellodolly]

Which is exactly the point I made in my first post "you pay for what you get...and you get what you pay for"

Thats the choice people make.

so you can share noodle soup on the roadside with rats for half price

or you can buy a cut and shut car with no seatbelts for half price

or you can go to a nightclub with no means of escape in a fire for free

or you can choose not to take out life insurance for free

......

You are a funny guy. I don't know anyone who does any of those things. Nor do I overpay for goods or services.

"you pay for what you get...and you get what you pay for" I hear this a lot. Sometimes it's true but just as often what you are paying for is glitter, advertising, or just more than you can really use.

Please continue puffing your wares in your highly exuberant fashion. It's fun to read. Just don't scare me too much about all the things that can happen to me if I go somewhere else for a massage.

almost well said.

But after reading a lot of posts I think there are some who would pay half price for some of those things.

[FolkGuitar]

to try and perusade you to have a coffee body scrub for half price then send you home for the shower.

What is a coffee body scrub and what are the supposed benefits? Why would someone want this?

[eyecatcher]

to try and perusade you to have a coffee body scrub for half price then send you home for the shower.

What is a coffee body scrub and what are the supposed benefits? Why would someone want this?

ask your g/f or wife; then try google........then walk around the city and take note of whats on most massage shops menus...but I have to go to Rimping now for more coffee;

[FolkGuitar]

to try and perusade you to have a coffee body scrub for half price then send you home for the shower.

What is a coffee body scrub and what are the supposed benefits? Why would someone want this?

ask your g/f or wife; then try google........then walk around the city and take note of whats on most massage shops menus...but I have to go to Rimping now for more coffee;

So, in other words, you don't know, but because other massage shops are offering it, you figure you can offer it too and make more money. I get it. Thanks.

[nikster]

There's so many massage places in Chiang Mai, just go to one that has a good ambience. Some don't, many do. Money doesn't have much to do with it.

[hellodolly]

There's so many massage places in Chiang Mai, just go to one that has a good ambience. Some don't, many do. Money doesn't have much to do with it.

So to get a good massage you need ambience

[FolkGuitar]

to try and perusade you to have a coffee body scrub for half price then send you home for the shower.

What is a coffee body scrub and what are the supposed benefits? Why would someone want this?

ask your g/f or wife; then try google........then walk around the city and take note of whats on most massage shops menus...but I have to go to Rimping now for more coffee;

So, in other words, you don't know, but because other massage shops are offering it, you figure you can offer it too and make more money. I get it. Thanks.

This really was unfair of me, and I apologize. I did look it up and found quite a few references for coffee scrubs.

Although the majority of what I found said that the effects were rather short term, (minutes or hours, versus days) I'm sure a lot of people want their cellulite to appear to be less, even if it's only for a few hours while at the beach. Then they can go back to looking fat again.

As for the wonderful anti-oxidant properties which DO exist in coffee and CAN affect the skin, but again temporarily, a bottle of sun screen cost the same as a massage and lasts a few weeks rather than a few hours.

On the positive side, it would appear that one comes out of the massage smelling like coffee, which for many people, is rather pleasant, and often better than their usual smell.