Massage Chiang MaiGetting a massage in Chiang Mai is something it seems most visitors to the city do. It's a place where many Thais come to learn massage and, increasingly, many tourists too. What most learn is what is called 'Thai traditional massage'. All of the places where you can get a massage in Chiang Mai offer this type - most also have foot massages and oil massages. To find out more about what is involved in these different types of massages, head to my THAILAND MASSAGE page. (coming shortly!) Prices in Chiang Mai are probably the cheapest in the country - Thai traditional normally costs between 100-150 baht an hour, oil between 200 and 250 baht hourly and foot massage will cost you about 150 baht for an hour. You won't have to seek out a place to get a massage...they're everywhere - literally! There are hundreds of shops here competing for business which, in terms of the massage, is nice, because it's often quiet inside the shops. You can also get a massage in the open air!
On Sunday nights, head to the walking market area along Rachadamnoen Road and the surrounding roads (see Chiang Mai map) to get pampered on the pavement!
There are 2 temples that I came across that also offer a massage service (see my Chiang Mai information page). In terms of quality, most, if not all, seen to have massage training certificates on the walls. Naturally though, some massagers will be better than others....ask locals or travelers if they know of a good place. Along Ratchaphakhhinai road inside the moat is awash with shops. I've given one recommendation on this page because the lady put me to sleep (a good sign for me!) and her prices were very cheap. Check out my Thailand massage page (coming shortly) for tips on making sure you get 'just' a massage. A Chiang Mai oil massage might involve more so be careful!
Chiang Mai Massage SchoolThere are numerous schools to learn massage too. Most teach Thai traditional massage - some also teach oil and foot massages. I haven't learnt myself so I can't give a foolproof recommendation as to which school is good. If distance to the school from your hotel is a consideration, have a look at the massage schools I've included that were inside the moat, closer to most hotels and guesthouses. I've also included a training school inside a temple which may be a nice setting for the teaching. Again, think about asking people you meet if they're learning massage (many, it seems, are) and if their place is good. A good place to head to might be Blue Diamond Restaurant (see the restaurant section here to find it) where many longer term stayers in Chiang Mai swarm! There are 3 big, popular and well established places to learn.
The Thai Massage School at the Old Medical Hospital (opens in new window) has been teaching since 1962 and has taught countless foreigners. (To get there, see my Chiang Mai map - travel south along the Saturday Night market road - Wualai Rd - it joins with another road...continue...the hospital will be on your right, 300 or so meters before the airport plaza). The International Training Massage School (opens in new window) is another popular place to study. See their map (opens in new window) ....notice that what they've written on their map - 'Jang Hua Lin' is the top left section of the central square map of my map. The Sunshine Massage School (opens in new window) is about 2 kilometers from the eastern side of the central moat, towards the bus station on Kaeo Nawarat Rd. See their map. (opens in new window) Prices vary but an average course seems to cost about 5,000 baht for a 10 day course with about 50 contact hours. Depending on the school and the course you do, you can study for an internationally accepted certificate and work as a massager in other countries which is the aim of many of the massage students I've chatted to.
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