The traditional practice of Thai massage is known as “nuat phaen boran,” which stands for “the ancient massage,” and it dates back to more than 2500 years ago, having originated in the traditions of Yoga and Ayurveda on the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, it is believed that the practice of Ayurvedic massage was popularized in Thailand by an Ayurvedic healer named Jivaka Kumarbhaccha, who was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha, and had reputedly met him in person.

Thai massage, also known as Thai Yoga massage, is a part of the greater art of Ayurvedic healing, influenced by the religious philosophies and medical practices and theories that emerged in India a couple of millennia ago. Traditional Thai massage therapists claim that their techniques bring the usual benefits of massage therapy, including relief from stress, pain and anxiety, treatment of certain diseases and disorders, peace of mind, and an increased ability to focus.

Besides what most people would recognize as the actual physical practice of massage, traditional Thai massage also includes yoga techniques, and meditation, which is considered equally, if not more important than the massage proper. Many practitioners of traditional Thai massage have decried the fact that the art of Thai massage has been “tainted” with the use of massage parlors as legitimate fronts of the sex trade industry in Thailand.

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