Health / Massage
While a massage can be a valuable treatment for some aches, there is a certain risk in Thailand that those looking for a legitimate massage may stumble into a kind of brothel. We therefore quote at this instance the information given in two sources which are beyond the suspicion of promoting commercial sex.
The Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group advices: "There are hundreds of massage parlors throughout Bangkok, some less salubrious than others. Prices vary greatly depending on service required!! Bonafide massages (i.e. no "special" services provided) are available in the various health clubs in Bangkok, some of which are attached to hotels. There are also women masseuses who will come to the privacy of your home. Ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations."
The Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group gives the following addresses (original comments):
Ambassador Hotel Health Clinic
Expensive but very good.
Blind Training School for Massage
Center Development for the Blind
78/2 Tiwanon Road, Pakkred, Nontaburi
Tel (02) 588-3327
Siam Health Club
1-17 Chula Soi 12
(near Mah Boonkrong Center)
Tel 214-0570
Joe Cummings, the author of the Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit on Thailand recommends in the March 1990 edition of his book: "Other places to get traditional Thai massage in Bangkok include Buathip Thai Massage (Tel 255-1045), 4/13 Soi 5, Sukhumvit Road, and Marble House (tel 235-3519), 37/18-19 Soi Surawong Plaza. Fees for traditional Thai massage should be no more than 150 Baht per hour, though some places have a 1.5-hour minimum."
This author was very surprised to read Joe Cummings' following sentence in a book published by Lonely Planet. The sentence in question: "Be aware that not every place that advertises traditional or ancient massage can offer a really good one; sometimes the only thing ‘ancient’ about the pommelling is the age of the masseuse."
This is of course clearly a male chauvinist and sexist pun. Would Mr. Cummings make equally disrespectful remarks on men who have probably just passed the age of 40 or 50? And what role, Mr. Cummings, does the age of a masseuse play, if you are looking only for a legitimate massage, with no sex involved? Not the attractiveness of a woman as sex object should be of importance but just her professional ability as a health worker.
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