Sorry more questions- Wat Po massages
 

Ok so already i have received some very good advice re my trip so now i would like to know what people think about the massages at Wat po?
Am thinking of going to the Grand Palace (have been b4 but my BF hasn't and i think it's very important for him to see it) anyway GP early a.m then walk to Wat Po see the Fab Buddha etc then have a massage?? Has anyone done this? Any opinions would be greatly received.
Thanks
Smeagol

The massages at Wat Pho are fine. Not high-end spa quality, but for what you are paying, they do the trick. Be aware, you do not have a private room. You are in a big room with lots of other people getting massages. We were a little uncomfortable with that, so we just got foot massages there.

I highly recommend getting a different massage at a different place every day!

Also, remember that the massages at Wat Po are traditional Thai massage (done with clothing on, pulling and stretching type; this is not Swedish massage.). There is an non-airconditioned area for massge and an air-conditioned area for massage. You can also arrange for Wat Po practitioners to come to your hotel room to provide massage.

Wat Po is interesting site to look around for about an hour. Talk to the monks and take some pictures while there. I dont understand the fascination with a massage in a hot room and where there is no privacy.

I would want a massage in a less public place. Lots of places advertise that their massage people are "Wat-Po-trained" but I doubt that most of them are. It is like a Good Housekeeping seal of approval for massage people in Bangkok and other major cities.

Go out and try some of the massage places in the area of your hotel. I like to get an older larger woman as my masseuse because they are usually experienced and know what they are doing. The best foot massage place I have found is in a shopping center near Rachadapisaek and costs B130 per hour. This is in contrast to average places near Sukhumvit or Silom that charge 250-300 or more per hour.

Thai friends (who are in the spa business) have warned me that some of these "pros" dont have any idea of what they are doing and can hurt you. They can be brutal so learn the word for PAIN! (Jep) to let them know when you are hurting.

There is a technique that most use to cut off blood circulation to your leg by pressing on the artery near your hips. I can't imagine any doctor would say that is a good move esp. if you have blood pressure or heart issues.

Try a foot massage first. If you like it then go for a thai massage. I actually prefer oil or aromatherapy massage much better than Thai Massage.

I suggest that you get them to come to your hotel room. You can book this while at Wat Pho, just ask around. Also, get the 2 hour massage. This is no place to save Baht.

Thank you all.
Actually not to bothered about having a massage, just wanted the experience of a trad Thai one and thought Wat po was the one, but now well maybe i won't bother (BF will be relieved he really didn't fancy it) maybe i will just get my aching feet done as suggested and wait till i get to Krabi for a more luxurious one to ease those sightseeing muscles.

Thanks
Smeagol

Do bother. You don't have to plan far in advance. There are many massage places on every tourist-oriented corner. You're hotel will have them probably. Get a massage while the BF is hanging around the pool or otherwise relaxing.

Gpanda

That sounds like a good idea. We are staying at the Oriental and i am a bit concerned that they will charge mega bucks!!! maybe i will check out Nancy's map and see what i can find.

Have a great day
Smeagol

Smeagol-If you're at the Oriental, you can get a good massage upstairs at the Gallery Cafe (a very good and relatively cheap restaurant). The Gallery Cafe is just up from the Royal Orchid Sheraton. It's a very short taxi ride or you can hop on the river ferry and take it to the ROS stop (I forget the number, but the stop is right next to the hotel.) If you take the ferry, you walk out the alley and go straight. The Portugese Consulate will be on your right. The gallery Cafe is up on your right before you get to the New Road (the big road that runs perpindicular). If you do this, just make reservations or have the concierge do it for you.

I don't understand why people object to having a massage in the same room as others. I had a massage at Wat Po coupled with a visit to the Grand Palace and loved it. You don't take your clothes off and it relaxes the whole body. It is very reasonably priced and the practioiners are trained. What is the problem?

I also enjoy the temple massage. There are others around, but its not like this is an intimate experience! Think of it more like being in a yoga class with the instructor working separately with you.

I find the background noise (mostly the masseurs murmuring "please roll over madam") and warmth of the room very relaxing. A great value at $7 for an hour and a half and you feel so refreshed walking out of there.

This is a very comfortable way to be introduced to Thai massage. I found it a lot less awkward than having a stranger come and give you a massage on the bed of your hotel room. Of course we did that too! And went to a fancy spa, and had a foot massage at the night market, etc!

I know for me, getting a massage in a public place is uncomfortable because of my body issues. If I weighed 50 less pounds, maybe I wouldn't care so much, but for now, I would rather be bent around and flexed in privacy.

Well, I'm someone who's long past her prime, but unless you start yellling or moaning, there won't be anyone looking at you!

You'll be flat on a mattress with the masseur kneeling over or next to you. Everyone around you will be either flat on their mattress enjoying their massage or working.

But whatever. You can walk by the school towards the back of the Wat property and see how it is. There's usually a short wait, so sign up, then cancel if it doesn't look like your cup of tea.

THanks everyone for all your opinions.I think i am going to go to wat po, keep an open mind, check it out and if i fancy it, go for it, if not go to one of the other suggestions

Cheers guys have a great weekend
Smeagol
(look out for me again, more questions will be on there way i'm sure!!)

Make sure you do not eat for several hours before massage time.

Smeagol-- a massage at the Oriental will be expensive by thai standards but still cheaper than if you have it done in a spa in the U.S. And the place is gorgeous, private and obviously very convenient.

Sorry for gate crashing this post but do you think I could book a couple of massages from either the UK or when we first arrive in BBK - Friday later afternoon? We don't intend to go to the Wat Po until the second part of our holiday but would like a massage the first or second day at the Sofitel, help us get over any jet lag. What do you think?

Gpanda thanks for telling me that i don't think i ever knew that!!! wouldn't want to be sick very embarrasing.
Anyway think i have finally decided well, not to decide. I am going to keep in mind all the opinions and then wait and see. I may even have one at Wat Pho and then one at the oriental (in fact may even have a few!! who knows, i guess thats what you can do when you are on holiday!)
Thanks Fodorites
X
Ps Itinerary post coming real soon!!!