Massage, Krabi

Brutally frank:

Massage places are all over Ao Nang and prices seem uniform (probably due to intense competition).  A 60 min Thai massage at a spa would cost 350B.  Occasionally, you may find a 60 min Thai massage at 300B.  Other types of massages (60 min oil massage, 60 min coconut oil massage, 60 min foot massage etc) are also available but prices may differ from 350B.

I tried the 60 min Thai massage at Chaba Massage (Ao Nang Soi 8, same street as Red Ginger Chic Resort) which only charges 200B, presumably because it’s off the main tourist centre/ craziness at Ao Nang beach and also probably because it’s located on Level 1.  Hence, it does not have a visible shop front.

There is a sign out front, on the street, indicating Chaba Massage and you enter by going to the back, passing a tour desk and up the stairs.  It’s all lit and it’s not creepy.

This is not a spa per se (featuring Thai/ exotic/ Asian decoration), just a Spartan, no frills place offering different types of massages eg Thai, oil, foot etc as well as scrubs.

This place seems reasonably clean. The sheets and the pyjamas you change into smell laundered, which is always a good sign.

You step into an airconditioned room and there are approx 5 mattresses on the floor (no individual rooms, no massage tables with a hole for your face – this isn’t a spa per se, remember?).  They pull the curtain around your mattress and you change into the pyjamasy-thing they provide provide for you.  When done, they pull open the curtain and the massage begins.

I was the only customer then.  I wonder if there had been other patrons, would they have drawn the curtains on your mattress or you get massaged in the open, next to a stranger.  They play soft music though.

I usually request for a male therapist as I like my massages strong. They only have female therapists but she was able to give me a strong massage.  During the massage, other staff walked in and out of the room to use the bathroom but then again, this isn’t a spa and it shouldn’t matter considering the price.

The massage is good and can be painful (like all Thai massages, depending on where your energy is blocked). When you are on your back (stomach up), they place a little (laundered) towel over your eyes to block out the light, which I thought was a nice touch.

In all, this place is good value for money – clean place, good massage, only a few steps away from my hotel. I recommend it.