Last week I found myself in medical scrubs, laying face down on a table at the mercy of the hands of a female prisoner in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
No, I wasn’t in trouble with the law (although the treatment I received was borderline torture).
I was getting a massage from an inmate who was soon to be released from the Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution.
You see, Chiang Mai has a pretty cool rehabilitation program for their female inmates. Prisoners who are set to be released within the next six months are entered into a massage program that helps them to earn up some savings to fall back on, and re-integrate into society with some marketable skills.
Awesome! I’d been wanting a Thai massage, and when I heard about this I though it was a great cause.
It turned out to be a great massage as well.
First, guests change into scrubs and sit down to have their feet washed. It’s a bit strange, having someone wash your feet, but that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Then the fun began–Thai massage is nothing short of an acrobat routine and it is way more intimate than a Western massage.
Before I knew it, I was being pulled in all directions, pushed into yoga-like poses and cracked thoroughly. It was the most entertaining hour of my life. I couldn’t stop laughing at the sheer amount of ridiculous poses she put me in.
My toes were cracked, my back was popped, my legs were pounded.
I left feeling like a zenned-out noodle.
The cost for this was 180B for an hour (a whopping $6), but tips are encouraged to help the women, many of whom ended up in prison on drug charges.
I tipped, I liked and I’ll be back again.
Masochistic?
What about you? Have you ever had a Thai massage?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, getting a massage for a good cause! I went for a 1 hour massage when I visited Thailand. It was kinda painful but I did feel better the next day!
I’ve had a Thai massage – but not like this! What a great rehabilitation program!
I’ve heard of Thai Massages and how intense they can be. I’m confident in getting one if you said you would even go back for more! Was it really done over a table lined with cardboard though?
That actually sounds very cool although I can imagine it feeling a little intimidating at first. Unusual story!
What a cool rehab program, the massage sounds pretty interesting as well. If I’m ever in Chiang Mai I’ll have to check this out! 😉
What an interesting program. I once had a massage in Singapore which almost crippled me, but am yet to ‘enjoy’ the Thai massage experience!
Welcome back!!!
Thanks lady!! Hope your trip is going well also!