more on traditional (therapeutic) thai massage
[quote=nicfrenchy][post=997406]massage parlors :traditional thai massage[/post][/quote]nic, as a fan of thai massage, i really appreciate your [post=997406]report on traditional thai massage[/post]. a few comments specifically about [b]therapeutic massage shops[/b], as opposed to the places that focus on sexual services.
[b]prices vary.[/b] last night i had first-rate massage 2 hours for 350 thb on soi 20. the lady was 36 and weighs 70 kg - which makes her perfect for a strong therapeutic massage. it was one of the best massages ever for me. in chinatown you may find even lower prices, especially in a place that does not offer services. i have also seen 2 hours for 500 baht or more in a regular shop, usually not better. generally quality has little or nothing to do with the price, and more to do with age and looks of the masseuse.
[b]one or two hours?[/b] if i don't know the lady, i ask a few questions first (can you give strong massage? is key), then go for one hour. if she is good, it will be obvious quickly, and (unless it's near closing) you can always ask to make it 2 hours instead. but do that early on, as 2 hours is a different routine.
[b]quality[/b] most masseuses give worthwhile massages, unless they are there more to give other services, in which case they may not have had therapeutic massage training. some are truly talented. older, plain-looking masseuses tend to be more talented for therapeutic than attractive younger women... they have to be, to stay employed.
[b]outcall[/b] most of the time a lady can do the massage in your hotel, usually at a somewhat higher price. this can also change availability of other services (see next paragraph). i prefer to go to the shop, as the shop is set up better for therapeutic massage.
[b]service availability varies.[/b] some places do not offer any services, not even he - or if they do, they are not supposed to. the aforementioned 36 yo thoroughly massaged me all over except dick and balls - even though dick obviously needed massage. she noticed and we discussed, but she said more than once cannot do he in this place. otherwise she was very nice and affectionate.
imo the quality of therapeutic massage is always better in places that do not offer services. otoh women who are good with therapeutic massage usually excel in pleasing a man with her hands, too. i go to one shop for therapeutic, and another for services. some places (e.g. tulip) mostly do not offer any massage, only services... in which they excel. there are places (e.g. naree on soi 4/nana) that do well with both massage and services.
[b]shower etc[/b] many places will let you take a shower for free if you ask ("ahb nahm dai mai?") and this is great if you're hot, sweaty, etc. to ask for toilet say "hong nahm (you tee nai)?". they may understand these requests in english, too. one time i arrived drenched from a sudden downpour - they hung my clothes to dry while i was getting a massage.
sometimes when exploring chinatown, a shower and massage is a great way to cool down and rest, recharging me for more exploration. of course cheap sex in chinatown (300-600 baht) serves a dual purpose, too.
[b]tipping.[/b] (this applies to a massage without services.) the masseuse gets a lot less than half of the house fee, so you should you should always tip her even if she offers no service. a good amount for decent quality massage is about 100 baht for one hour, 200 baht for 2 hours, more or less depending on quality.
if you pay for services (he bj fs etc), the tip for such service (e.g. 500 of he) is the tip for the whole session, no more is expected. for services, the expected amount of tip varies depending on age and attractiveness of the provider. for example fs with an older woman should cost less than with a young attractive lady (1500 baht), even though the older woman may be better at it.
[b]etc[/b] talk to her about whatever problems your body has. she may have knowledge and techniques that could improve your ailment.
if you find an especially good one, tip her well and keep going back to her. she will learn more about what your body needs and take care of you... as well as deeply appreciate your returning business. get her phone number to make sure she is ready when you visit.
remember, prices here are 10% or less of therapeutic massage in us and europe. here you can afford to go every day if you like! ...and its even cheaper, by about half, in laos.
