Retired & Roaming

Thai Massage – yoga for lazy people!

If, like me, you were born before the invention of “me time”, you may have a lot of catching up to do in the pampering department. Thailand is just the place to make up for those lost decades at prices that would have seemed very reasonable even thirty years ago!

Far from being one of those hot, “new” treatments, Thai massage (Nuat phaen boran) originated in India about 2500 years ago. It is more rigorous than other classic forms of massage with the therapist using her hands, elbows, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure are also used during treatment. Thai massage is both relaxing and energizing and has often been described as “yoga without the work”!…

A typical Thai massage is 60 minutes to two hours long and as no oil is applied, you do not need to undress but it is advisable to wear loose clothing – this is sometimes provided.

Merits accredited to Thai massage are that it:

* relaxes
* reduces stress
* improves circulation
* increases energy
* increases flexibility
* improves range of motion
* centres the mind and body

In addition to Thai massage, most massage parlors offer many other types of treatment: Swedish, sports, relaxing, anti- cellulite, aromatherapy, foot, neck and shoulders, and a range of body scrubs and facial treatments.

Precautions
Some types of massage are not recommended for certain people. If you have any doubts about your suitability consult your GP before you leave home.

Where to go?
As in most areas of Thailand, Phuket has literally thousands of massage parlours to chose from and prices vary hugely. To give an idea of what’s available I have selected five in the Chalong area most of which I have visited and would recommend.

Sukmark
Sukmark is a lovely, traditional wooden Thai house set back from the road. It has a relaxing ambiance; the staff are charming, welcoming and soft spoken; the background music is pleasant and unobtrusive. By the time you have selected your oil fragrance or decided on your preferred treatment whilst sipping your welcoming cold drink, you are already starting to relax! The massage rooms are cool and comfortable. I chose a jasmine relaxing oil massage and an anti-aging facial both of which were fabulous.

The prices here were mid-range but still very inexpensive by European standards and worth every baht! It was a wonderful experience and if the treatments didn’t actually make me look forty on my sixtieth birthday I certainly felt it!
Facials 700 THB
Massages 400 – 1,000 THB
Body scrub 700 THB
Shampoo & blow dry 200 THB
www.sukmarkspa.com

Perfection
The spa here is connected to the ‘Fashion Cafe’ which also houses a hairdressing salon. It is very much on a par with Sukmark regarding ambiance, staff and surroundings although the prices are higher.

Their fantastic body scrub was followed by a relaxing massage and facial; a treatment ‘to die for’!

Having completed the pampering, you can continue the self-indulgence with a slice of cake or a pastry and delicious coffee in the cafe.

There is often a 20% discount on the prices below:
Facials (Jurlique / Lydia Jordan / Rejuvenating)1400 THB
Massages 1,000 to 1650 THB
Body wrap 1650 THB
www.perfectionphuket.com

Cheraim Spa
This is a large and popular spa on the tourist route, as can be seen from the many tour buses in its car park. It has all the bells and whistles of an up-market spa: lots of ponds, fountains, water lilies and soothing ambiance. The prices are correspondingly high and for this reason I resisted the temptation to indulge in any treatments here. However, the list of therapies and spa treatments is impressive and all include 15-20 minutes complimentary use of hydro-therapy services.

Facials range from 2,000 to 2,700 THB
Massages from 1,000 to 3,000 THB
Spa body treatments from 1,800 to 3,800 THB
www.cheraimspavillage.com

Su Massage
In a shop premises rather than a purpose built spa, Su Massage is very Thai and quite basic. However, it is clean, respectable and offers a variety of massages at very competitive prices. It’s on Chaofa Road, Chalong near Fatty’s Restaurant.

Facials range from 200 to 400 THB
Massages range from 200 to 400 THB

Jungceylon
Although Jungceylon is in Phuket Town and not in Chalong I think it deserves a mention since there are a number of massage parlours offering a wide variety of treatments at very competitive prices. Their foot massage is excellent and the hot stones massage exceptional.

Facials and Massages range from 200 to 900 THB

Pro Beauty Hairdressing Salon
Having shunned shoes whenever possible throughout my life, I firmly believed that no amount of money could compensate any pedicurist for the job! However, as a surprise birthday treat, a friend whisked me off to her favourite pedicurist and insisted on accompanying me on the grounds that the best ‘girl times’ are to be enjoyed when you are up to your calves in bowls of warm water, sipping cups of herb tea or better still glasses of wine, with a stack of magazines in hand (just in case the gossip runs out!) She was right – this is one of life’s great luxuries!

So, having waited until I was forty-five to indulge I have now become an addict and visit the pedicurist once a fortnight whilst in Phuket. Instead of vying for my custom, I rather expected the pedicurists who greeted me at the door to generously relinquish the possibility of a good tip in favour of one of her colleagues, but not a bit of it! There were no snide comments about the size or condition of my feet and no reluctance to address the problem. We discussed the removal of dead skin from my soles and heels which I heartily agreed to. This was done with an instrument somewhat similar to a chef’s mandolin or parmesan shaver though much smaller and as my pedicurist ran the blade expertly over my soles and heels the parings fell rapidly to the floor. At this point I decided it was better ‘not to look down’ and concentrated on the selection of nail varnish colours I had been invited to choose from. I must add here that my burgeoning confidence had, by this time, encouraged me to have a manicure as well!

About an hour later this very satisfied customer paid the princely sum of 150 THB and added a fairly generous tip! Musing that I couldn’t even buy a bottle of cheap nail polish for that in most places, I promised myself I would return regularly.

Gail Phuket, Useful Stuff