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Pai Spas: Where to Get a Massage
Getting a massage in Thailand is like eating pasta when you’re in Italy: if you didn’t do it, did you really go there? This small town has plenty of options for you to get stretched and pulled — here are our favorites!
On Massage
If you want to experience a traditional Thai massage in the Kingdom for an affordable price, On Massage is the place to frequent in Pai. Thai massages work wonders on relieving stress and tension in your joints and muscles, and the staff here were amazing at working out all the kinks. A Thai or foot massage is ฿200, an oil or back massage is ฿250, and an herbal massage is ฿350. On Massage is not on Google Maps, but it is across the street from Art in Chai, one of the most popular coffee shops in town.
Mad Monkey Insider Tip
- Be sure to tip your masseuse! While it is not expected to tip at restaurants, a tip for hair services, massages, and other beauty treatments is typically expected. We suggest tipping at least ฿100 for a massage that is ฿250 or more.
Location: Chai Songkram Road, Wiang Tai, Mae Hong Son — VIEW MAP
Hours: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Massage Lalita
If you’re looking for a massage that’s borderline painful, you’ve come to the right spot. This massage hurt so good; even the most masochistic of travelers will be on the verge of shouting out the safe word. Slightly kidding — but really. While Thai massages are known to be on the painful side, these women teeter the line between pain and pleasure, often detouring and lingering on the pain spectrum. Using every part of their body, from their forearms to the heels of their feet, they leave no tendon or nerve unattended. The tighter you are, the deeper they’ll knead. Try not to tense up as they want to ensure you leave without any knots. Needless to say, you’ll float right out of Massage Lalita once your hour is up.
Location: Rural Rd Mae Hong Son 4024, Wiang Tai, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 97 208 3645
Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Sapaiya Spa and Clinic
For those looking for a bit of luxury, head to Sapaiya Spa and Clinic. Once you enter, you’ll be greeted with tea and a refreshing, moist towel. This tranquil and professional spa has a full-service menu with treatments ranging from herbal steams and body scrubs, to hot compresses and traditional Thai massages. The rooms here are immaculate, and the service is impeccable. Before your treatment, you’ll fill out a form where you can specify which body parts need more or less attention, and how much pressure you’d like so you get the best experience possible with personalized service.
If you opt for the traditional Thai massage, you will be brought to a comfortable and spacious room with many floor mats (pictured above). For something more relaxing, try the Aromatherapy Hot Oil Massage. They will first introduce several different oils and explain their medicinal purposes. You will choose which oils you’d like to use and then you’ll be brought to a private room for a massage that will most likely lull you to sleep. After your massage, you’ll again be treated with tea and also some fresh fruit. Sapaiya Spa also offers complimentary pick-up and drop-off to complete your lavish experience.
Location: 412 Moo 8, Wiang Tai, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 81 236 6644 | Website
Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
PTTM Pai Traditional Thai Massage School
Hidden down an alley in the center of Pai is PTTM Pai Traditional Thai Massage School. This modest building offers massages and a school to learn the art of Thai massage therapy. This place books up quickly, so make sure you book several hours or a day in advance. Once you enter this modest building, you’ll be advised to wash your own feet. You’ll then be given a change of fresh clothes and lead into a typical Thai massage room with mats lining the floor. The expert hands of these women will find your problem areas and aim to work them out patiently. Using firm, but not too painful pressure, they’ll be sure to alleviate any tension in your body and put you at ease.
PTTM Massage School
If you would like to learn how to give a Thai massage, then sign up for one of their classes. Their most popular course is the three-day “Classic Thai Massage” where you’ll learn the basics of stretching, acupressure points, energy lines, and accurately using the thumbs, palms, elbows, knees, and feet when giving a massage. This course costs ฿3,500 per person and begins every Monday and Friday. There are subsequent one-day/three-hour advanced classes to learn even more skills in different positions. These classes cost ฿1,500 and are available Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. Additionally, they also have a Thai Foot Reflexology course for ฿2,000, available during the same times as the advanced courses.
Location: Wiang Tai, แม่ฮ่องสอน ถนนเทศบาล 1 อ Pai, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 83 577 0498 | Facebook
Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Other Ways to Pamper Yourself in Pai
This beautiful town surrounded by nature is the ideal place to get a bit grounded during your travels. Discover a few unique ways to loosen up and clear your mind.
Good Life Dacha
Tucked away on a small, quiet road just south of the main town center is Good Life Dacha. This charming space is home to a tea house, restaurant, music venue, library, guest house, and sauna. Visitors come here to meditate, relax, and meet like-minded travelers. Good Life Dacha offers a sauna complex that will melt all your stress away. Experience the herbal steam dome sauna, Finnish dry sauna, an infrared sauna, and warm and cold plunge baths overlooking the river. For ฿250, these services are available to you all day and include tea, towels, shower facilities, and skin treatments. Good Life Dacha also offers fermentation classes where you can learn how to grow and make your own soft cheeses, kefir, and kombucha!
Location: 298 Moo 8 T, Wiang Tai, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 81 031 3171 | Facebook
Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Soak in the Hot Springs
We know what you’re thinking — hot springs in this heat? It might not sound appealing at first, but soaking in a hot bath always manages to dissolve any tension you may have acquired from that bus ride from Chiang Mai or intense yoga sesh from this morning. There are two main natural hot springs in Pai: the Tha Pai Hot Springs and Sai Ngam Natural Hot Spring (also known as “Pai Secret Hot Springs”). If you’re looking for easy accessibility, check out the Tha Pai Hot Springs. ฿300 will give you access to a collection of therapeutic hot springs, surrounded by lush greenery. Multiple springs vary in temperature, so be sure to walk along the path to check them all out while also enjoy Thailand’s gorgeous natural beauty.
Location: Unnamed Rd, Tambon Mae Hi, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The not-so-secret Pai Secret Hot Springs is popular with the locals and costs far less at ฿20 per person (plus ฿20 more for a moto). The ride to these hot springs is an adventure in itself — take a winding, hilly road 30 minutes north of the town center through numerous hairpin turns. Some of these hills are quite steep, so make sure to be safe and get a powerful moto (at least 125cc) for this thrilling journey. The pools at Sai Ngam are a bit less touristy and will instantly wash away all of your worries. Come here in the morning if you want a bit more peace and quiet while you relax in the jungle.
Location: U-Mong, Tambon Mae Na Toeng, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More Information About Pai Spas
Did you love this article about where to get the best massage in Pai? Do you want to know even more information about Pai spas and where to get pampered? Then check out these articles we have rounded up for your reading pleasure!
- Hot Springs, Spas and Traditional Massage from Rough Guides
- World’s Best Massages: Where to Get and Learn How to Give Them by Anthony Chase from Condé Nast Traveler
- Hot Springs in Pai: 3 Best Spots for a Soak in Nature from Go To Thailand
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