Massage & Spa

1. ขอนวดแผนไทยครับ / ค่ะ

   Khǒ nûat phǎen thai khráp / khâ

   Thai massage please

   Usage

   Thai massage focuses on stretching and is done fully clothed. Different from oil massage

   Grammar Note

   "Phaen thai" = Thai style. Other options: "phaen yunan" (Chinese style), "nuat nam man" (oil massage). Thai style is done clothed

2. ขอนวดเท้าครับ / ค่ะ

   Khǒ nûat tháo khráp / khâ

   Foot massage please

   Usage

   Perfect after a day of sightseeing. Typically 200–400 baht per hour

   Grammar Note

   "Thao" = foot (below ankle). "Kha" = the whole leg (thigh to ankle). Foot massage is reflexology-style, typically 200–400 baht/hour

3. นวดนานแค่ไหนครับ / คะ

   Nûat nan khâe nǎi khráp / khá

   How long is the massage?

   Grammar Note

   "Nan" = long duration. "Nan khae nai" = how long. "Mai nan" = not long. Key word for time-related questions

4. แรงไปครับ / ค่ะ

   Raeng pai khráp / khâ

   Too hard / strong

   Usage

   Don't hesitate to speak up. "Chep" (it hurts) also works

   Grammar Note

   "Pai" after an adjective = "too": "phaeng pai" (too expensive), "phet pai" (too spicy). A very useful pattern across situations

5. เบาลงหน่อยได้ไหมครับ / คะ

   Bao long nòi dâi mǎi khráp / khá

   Could you go softer please?

   Grammar Note

   "Bao long" = lighten down = softer. "-long" adds "down/reduce". "-khuen" is the opposite (up/increase)

6. สบายดีครับ / ค่ะ

   Sàbai di khráp / khâ

   That feels good

   Usage

   "Sabai" is one of the most important Thai words, meaning comfortable and at ease

   Grammar Note

   "Sabai di" works both as a greeting response (I'm fine) and as "that feels good" in massage context. Thai words are highly context-dependent

7. ขอนวดน้ำมันครับ / ค่ะ

   Khǒ nûat nám man khráp / khâ

   Oil massage please

   Grammar Note

   "Nam man" = oil (water + fat). "Nam man maprao" = coconut oil. Thai oil massages often use aromatic essential oils

8. มีราคาให้เลือกไหมครับ / คะ

   Mi rakha hâi lûeak mǎi khráp / khá

   Do you have a price list?

   Usage

   Confirm prices beforehand to avoid disputes. Be cautious of prices far below average

   Grammar Note

   "Hai" + verb = cause to/allow to: "hai lueak" (allow to choose), "hai du" (show), "hai long" (let try)

9. ต้องจองก่อนไหมครับ / คะ

   Tông chong kòn mǎi khráp / khá

   Do I need a reservation?

   Usage

   Street-side shops usually take walk-ins, but hotel spas and popular places are best booked a day ahead. Evenings are the busiest time with tourists

   Grammar Note

   "Tong + verb + mai?" = "Do I have to…?" The common reply "mai tong" means "no need". "Chong" also works for "chong to" (reserve a table) and "chong hong" (book a room)

10. แนะนำแบบไหนดีครับ / คะ

    Náe nam bàep nǎi di khráp / khá

    Which course do you recommend?

    Usage

    Typical menu items: "nuat phaen thai" (traditional), "nuat nam man" (oil), "nuat thao" (foot), "khat phio" (body scrub). Sessions usually run 60, 90 or 120 minutes — 90 is enough for a thorough full-body treatment

    Grammar Note

    Sentence-final "di" invites the listener's opinion — same pattern as "kin arai di?" (what should I eat?) and "pai nai di?" (where should we go?). "Nae nam" also means introduce: "nae nam tua" (introduce oneself)

11. ไหล่ตึงมากครับ / ค่ะ

    Lài tueng mâk khráp / khâ

    My shoulders are stiff

    Usage

    Say this before the session so they focus on the right area. Pointing and saying "nen trong ni noi" (please focus here) makes it unmistakable

    Grammar Note

    Thai expresses stiffness as "tueng" (tight). If it actually hurts, use "puat": "puat lai" (my shoulder aches). The area from neck to shoulder is "ba" — masseuses often hear "nen ba noi" (focus on the shoulders)

12. ควรให้ทิปเท่าไหร่ครับ / คะ

    Khuan hâi thíp thâo rài khráp / khá

    How much should I tip?

    Usage

    Tipping is customary at Thai massage shops: roughly 50–100 baht for a one-hour session, 100–200 baht for two hours. At upscale or hotel spas, around 10% of the bill is common. Hand it directly to the therapist rather than at the till — and there is no obligation if a service charge is already included

    Grammar Note

    "Khuan" is the advice modal ("should"); the negative is "mai khuan" (shouldn't). "Hai thip" = give a tip, using the basic verb "hai" (give), as in "hai ngoen" (give money)

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