In the weeks leading up to Christmas I'm going to be collating some of the information from the vast archives of this site into more member-friendly pages, starting with the well-received Bangkok restaurant reviews made by emdee. I thought we could expand the idea to produce a number of pages of personal recommendations for different establishments in Bangkok (and then the rest of Thailand).

So how about starting with Thai massage? I find it's always a bit hit and miss in Bangkok, as it depends on the skills of the masseur - but can you personally recommend any places you've found to be decent?

Here's my recommendation: Lavana, Soi 12 Sukumvit. The place just oozes quality and relaxation as soon as you step in the front door. You sit down with a drink of tea and browse the, er, massage menu, and choose your therapy. I'm not into the new-age herbal stuff - I just want someone to unknot my back muscles! - but that's all catered for if you're so inclined. Then you head off to a room playing soothing music for a massage of the duration you've paid for. The quality of the masseurs varies, but in my experience it's generally good. If you go in the morning you get a small but tidy breakfast beforehand included in the price. The place is very popular with Japanese/Korean tourists, and this is reflected in the price! - but it's still very cheap by Western standards.

Any other recommendations for Thai massage in Bangkok?

Good idea Steve.

I tend to like the cheap and cheerful variety, but one up-scale place that is a must try if you want to spoil yourself is Face on Suk38.
This place is a Bar and Restaurant that has added a Spa and it really is world class and still very cheap by western standards.. Spa @ Face Bangkok-The Face Bangkok spa is a Thai traditional Spa to its complex that offers invigorating massage therapies embracing Thai massage techniques . Our Spa in Bangkok is small and intimate, offer the best massage bangkok has to offer ...combine dinner with one of their treatment packages for a memmorable night out.

One of the best and most painful foot massages that I have had was at the Suan Lum night market. There are several practioners here, but the one on the corner nearest to the central "temple-like" structure is the one that I like best. I hope that this place stays open, as the land has been sold and a redevelopment is touted, but was still operating in June. Take the MRT to Lumphini and have a great night out at the market/beer garden/food court and cap the night with a 250baht, 1 hour foot and shoulder massage in this little air-conditioned gem of place.

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I love Thailand this much

Thanks for those suggestions shanek! I'm normally quite a cheap and cheerful fellow too when it comes to massage - if you're lucky with the masseur, a 120 Baht hour-long "lying down in a room on a mattress together with dozens of others" can be the just as good as any lah-de-dah place 10-20 times the cost - but I know it's not for everyone

Anyone else have any specific massage recommendations, be they cheap, middle-range or luxury?

Bringing this thread back from the dead now the forum is more active. Any more Thai massage Bangkok suggestions - any budget?

Does massages with happy endings count?

No - I'm after a list of establishments where they relax muscles, not stimulate them!
Any serious suggestions?

Does massages with happy endings count?
No - I'm after a list of establishments where they relax muscles, not stimulate them!
LOL

Guess that eliminates you from participating in this thread whiterabbit

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The Truly Wise Man Never Plays Leapfrog With A Unicorn

I will just crawl back down my rabbit hole for that one then.

In general, if selecting somewhere cheap it is unlikely for management to maintain training and quality of staff month by month.

how much does it cost ?