The Wat Po temple (above) in Bangkok is reportedly where authentic Thai massage was born
Current facilities include the main floor
registration area; a classroom for theory; two large practice rooms, each equipped with massage mattresses; a consultation room; and a rooſtop cafeteria where students can eat for as little as thb20 (us$0.60, €0.48, £o.40) per helping of rice, stir-fried vegeta- bles, spiced pork and other Tai dishes. In line with the massage pavilion, all schools also offer massage services to the public.
A BROAD APPEAL
More than 10,000 students are welcomed at Wat Po TTM each year. Advertising is based solely on word-of-mouth, although there is a website – but this is somewhat con- fusing, oſten outdated and poorly translated. Te courses have a broad appeal, with par- ticipants coming from all walks of life and ranging in age from 16 to 70. Almost a third are foreigners, who wind their way through the steamy back streets of Bangkok in search of what is widely considered to be a source of traditional knowledge.
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WAT PO TTM CURRENT COURSES Courses
BASIC COURSES: General Tai Massage Foot Massage
Five days/30hrs Five days/30hrs
ADVANCED COURSES: Professional Tai Medical Massage 10 days/60hrs Level II, Tai Medical Massage*† Oil Massage & Aromatherapy Infant & Child Massage
Woman’s Healthcare Massage Spa Terapy Body Treatments* Facial Care and Massage* Nail Care & Nail Art* Ruesri Dat Ton*
*available only at Chetawan Health Schools †
26 days/165 hrs Five days/30hrs Four days/21hrs Five days/30hrs 20 days/140hrs Five days/30hrs Six days/42hrs One day/6hrs
Course content is the same for locals and
foreigners alike and although the teachers only know some English phrases, the courses apparently have enough practical sessions so that language barriers aren’t an issue. Tis is especially important since Wat Po TTM selects its massage teachers based on overall
Length of course & hours of study Cost of course
thb8,500 (us$260, €210, £170) thb6,500 (us$200, €160, £130)
thb12,000 (us$370, €290, £240) thb24,000 (us$740, €590, £490) thb6,500 (us$200, €160, £130) thb5,000 (us$150, €120, £100) thb6,500 (us$200, €160, £130) thb22,000 (us$680, €540, £450) thb9,500 (us$290, €230, £190) thb12,000 (us$370, €290, £240) thb2,000 (us$60, €50, £40)
this course can go up to 200 hours to provide more in-depth knowledge
knowledge, aptitude and experience rather than teaching in English. Tis is, perhaps, one of the reasons why
the Wat Po TTM faculty has grown from 10 to more than 100 teachers. And it is believed that this growth will continue as satellite facilities broaden their scope of courses.
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