Thai Massage VS Oil Massage

Living in Bangkok, Thailand, for a few weeks, I’ve had my fair share of massages. It’s incredible to have such high-quality treatments readily available, and with prices ranging from €7.50 to €16, it’s a no-brainer. I’ve indulged in lunchtime foot massages, evening Thai massages, and soothing oil massages. Today, I decided to revisit the traditional Thai massage, which I hadn’t tried in quite some time.

Oil Massages

Oil massages are always deeply relaxing. I often find myself drifting off during the session. The pressure is gentle, primarily using the hands, and with the option of coconut oil, the experience is enhanced by a soothing, sweet fragrance. It’s a predictable but thoroughly enjoyable experience every time.

Thai Massages

Today’s Thai massage, however, was a revelation. Unlike the oil massage, the Thai massage involves more intensive use of the hands, fingers, and even elbows by the masseuse. Despite her petite stature, my masseuse applied incredible pressure, using her entire body weight to deliver a powerful massage. It’s impressive how much strength such a small person can have. The experience was quite painful at first, especially in my back and legs, likely because those areas are the tightest for me. I had to focus on my breathing to manage the discomfort, but as the session progressed, the pain subsided. The Thai massage feels like a combination of stretching and foam rolling, but with someone else doing the work. And the results are fantastic—I feel much more relaxed now, in a different way than after an oil massage. It’s more like the relaxation you feel after a good workout when your body finally releases tension.

So, which one is better?

Both types of massages are amazing, but they serve different purposes. I opted for the Thai massage today because I pushed myself hard during yesterday’s run—I’m training for a half marathon—so I woke up feeling sore. The Thai massage was perfect for relieving that soreness. On days when I’m in a more laid-back mood, the oil massage is my go-to. It really depends on what you need at the moment, and I’m grateful to have both options available. I highly recommend trying both to see which suits you best. Hopefully, this post has helped set your expectations a bit! 🙂