Massage, Spas and Wellness in Phuket: Prices, Licences and Etiquette

Types of places

• Local massage shops, common in towns and beach streets, offering Thai, foot and oil massage.
• Day spas, offering oil, aromatherapy, herbal compress and facials in more comfortable settings.
• Resort and hotel spas, with premium treatments and wellness programmes.
• Specialist clinics for sports and medical massage, often near gyms or hospitals. See the gyms guide for sports training.

What people report paying

Guides disagree, because prices depend on area, venue and season. A common pattern is a traditional Thai or foot massage at a local shop for about 250 to 400 baht an hour, with beach streets such as Patong ranging more widely, from about 250 up to 600 or even 1,000 baht. Oil or aromatherapy at a day spa is often quoted at about 400 to 800 baht an hour, and some mid-range spas at about 800 to 1,300 baht. Resort and hotel spas generally start around 1,500 baht and rise to several thousand baht a treatment, with luxury programmes costing far more.

Some resort spas run discounts for residents with a Thai ID or work permit, and guides suggest asking, with 20 to 30 percent off mentioned in one guide. Low-season rates can also be lower. Include a regular massage in your budget using the cost of living guide.

Choosing a reputable place

• Look for a licence displayed and clean premises, with clear price lists in English.
• Read recent reviews from residents and ask neighbours. Businesses away from the busiest tourist streets often offer better value.
• Check that therapists are trained. Reputable schools run certificate courses for therapists, and good shops are proud of them.
• Tell the therapist about injuries, pregnancy, blood pressure or medical conditions before you start, and ask for lighter pressure if you want it. See the pregnancy guide for care during pregnancy.
• Avoid places that pressure you into add-ons or ask for payment before you see the treatment room.

Etiquette and tipping

• Tipping is not compulsory but appreciated, and guides suggest about 50 to 100 baht at local shops and about 100 to 200 baht or 10 percent at day spas and better venues.
• Arrive on time, shower if you need to, and follow the staff's instructions about clothes.
• Speak up if something hurts. Thai massage can be strong.
• Respect the therapists, and keep your voice down in shared rooms.

The etiquette guide covers wider customs.

Health and safety

Massage is generally safe, but avoid strong techniques if you have a spinal, joint or circulation condition, are pregnant or recently injured, and take advice from your doctor first. If you have pain after a treatment that does not ease, or numbness, see a clinic. The health and insurance guide explains how hospitals and insurance work, and the emergencies guide lists the numbers. Take care with personal items, and see the scams guide for pricing tricks.