Uncover the secrets of Thai massage
A sacred art & healing tradition
Thai massage is more than just a spa treatment. It’s a centuries-old healing art deeply woven into the spiritual and cultural fabric of Thailand. With origins dating back over 2,500 years, it’s traditionally attributed to Shivago Komarpaj, the legendary physician to the Buddha. This revered figure is honoured in Thai massage schools to this day, with practitioners often beginning sessions by reciting a prayer of gratitude in his name. Rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, ancient Chinese acupressure, and indigenous Thai healing traditions, Thai massage developed not in royal palaces or commercial wellness centres, but in Buddhist temples, where it was passed down through oral tradition.
Early practitioners believed that physical and spiritual health were intimately connected. The goal of Thai massage was never just to relieve tension or loosen muscles, but to unblock energy pathways (known as sen lines) and restore holistic harmony. Healers, often monks, would study anatomy through experience, memorizing points of tension and energy through direct practice. In some villages, the local masseuse was held in the same esteem as the midwife or shaman.
Unlike Western massage, Thai massage is performed fully clothed on a mat, without oils, and involves a series of rhythmic compressions, deep stretching, and assisted yoga-like movements. This flowing dance between giver and receiver is as much about breath and intention as it is about pressure — a moving meditation that aligns body, mind, and spirit.
Today, Thai massage is UNESCO-recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a testament to its enduring importance. From bustling Bangkok alleyways to peaceful countryside retreats, it remains a living tradition. A way to experience not just physical healing, but a direct connection to Thailand’s ancient wisdom.
Sit back, relax, and explore the fascinating history, techniques, and cultural importance of Thai massage.
Wat Pho: the temple of healing and heritage
The temple of Wat Pho in Bangkok is intimately connected to the tradition of Thai massage, serving as its historical and educational epicenter for centuries. Beyond being one of Thailand’s oldest and most revered temples, Wat Pho is considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage as a formalized practice. This renowned temple is not only a significant religious site, but also a cornerstone in the preservation and dissemination of Thailand’s ancient healing arts.
The temple’s connection to Thai medicine dates back to the 18th century, but it was during the reign of King Rama III (1824–1851) that Wat Pho was transformed into a center for public learning. At a time when much of Thailand’s medical knowledge was passed down orally or held within monasteries, Rama III ordered the compilation of this wisdom into a more permanent and accessible format. Dozens of stone inscriptions and diagrams, many of which can still be seen on the temple grounds today, were engraved with information on herbal remedies, energy lines, and massage techniques. These carvings represent the first public medical textbook in Thai history, and they remain a UNESCO-registered part of the Memory of the World program.
The temple later established the Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School, which opened its doors in 1955 as Thailand’s first official school of Thai medicine. Since then, it has trained thousands of Thai and international students in the therapeutic art of Thai massage, reflexology, and herbal medicine. The school not only maintains traditional practices but has also been instrumental in formalizing standards and ensuring the longevity of Thai massage as both a local tradition and an exportable wellness service.
Today, visitors to Wat Pho can experience a traditional massage within the temple walls, surrounded by history and spiritual reverence.
There are several types of Thai massage, each with its own focus and benefits. While traditional Thai massage is the most well-known, Thailand offers a variety of styles that blend ancient healing practices with modern wellness.
Traditional Thai Massage (Nuad Thai)
Focus: Stretching, pressure points, joint mobilization.
Style: Often described as “passive yoga.” The therapist uses hands, elbows, knees, and feet to move your body into stretches.
Benefits: Improves flexibility, circulation, and energy flow.
Thai Foot Massage (Reflexology)
Focus: Reflex points on the feet that correspond to different organs and systems.
Style: Pressing and massaging specific points on the soles and feet, often using a wooden stick.
Benefits: Promotes internal organ health, relieves fatigue, and enhances relaxation.
Thai Herbal Compress Massage
Focus: Healing through heat and herbs.
Style: Uses warm compresses filled with traditional Thai herbs (like lemongrass, turmeric, and ginger), applied to the body along energy lines.
Benefits: Eases muscle tension, improves circulation, and relieves pain.
Tok Sen Massage
Focus: Energy lines and muscle release.
Style: Uses a small wooden mallet and stick to rhythmically tap on the body.
Benefits: Said to release deeply held tension and promote energetic balance.
Let’s dive deeper into the topic of energy lines and what they do:
Sen lines
Traditional Thai massage is based on the concept of energy lines, known as “Sen,” that run throughout the body. Life energy, or “Lom Pran,” flows through these Sen lines. Practitioners apply pressure to specific points along these Sen lines to stimulate the flow of Lom Pran and release any blockages. Key elements include assisted stretching and yoga-like poses, which enhance flexibility, reduce tension, and invigorate energy flow.
1. Sumana
Location: Runs from the navel to the tip of the nose
Purpose: Balances the body’s central energy
2.Ittaha
Location: From the left side of the navel to the left nostril
Purpose: Affects emotional and mental balance
3.Pingkhala
Location: From the right side of the navel to the right nostril
Purpose: Complements Sen Ittha in bodily balance
4.Kalathari
Location: Starts at the navel and goes to the tailbone
Purpose: Influences respiratory and digestive systems
5.Sahatsarangsi
Location: From the navel to the right toe
Purpose: Aids circulation and muscle function
6.Thawari
Location: From the navel to the left toe
Purpose: Involved in lymphatic and immune systems
7.Lawusang
Location: From the navel to the right hand
Purpose: Regulates internal organs and energy flow
8.Ulangka
Location: From the navel to the left hand
Purpose: Maintains overall energy balance
9.Nanthakrawat
Location: Circles the waist
Purpose: Influences flexibility and joint movement
10.Khitchanna
Location: From the right side of the mouth to the right foot
Purpose: Aids in joint mobility and flexibility
Experience the art of Thai massage for yourself on tour!
Authentic Thailand & Phuket
From the picture-perfect landscapes and soft sand beaches to the opulent temples and royal palaces, Thailand is packed full of riches. Dart through the noisy hustle and bustle of modern life in Chiang Mai on a Tuk-Tuk. Peer into the lives of Thai royalty at the Grand Palace and Ayutthaya Historical Park. Splash around in the tranquil waters of a 1,500-metre-long waterfall, in a pond with an elephant, and on the pristine beaches of Phuket. Sample the wide range of traditional Thai flavours, effortlessly blending savoury, spicy and sweet. Run your hands over artisan-made silks and teak carvings. Awaken all your senses at once in this timeless paradise.
Departures: October & November 2025January, Febrary, March, October & November 2026 (+$100)
