The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

Bangkok’s soapy massage spa experience: who they serve and where they are

Written By: herbrunbridge - Jan• 27•11

Chao Phya 2 on Bangkok’s Thanon Sri Ayutthaya

Bangkok’s multistory standalone soapy spas have parking lots, and often have full service bars and karaoke lounges, unlike most smaller Storefront Spas.  They occasionally have curtained-off individualized carports to ensure privacy.  Many of these establishments will offer masseuses providing different massage services, at varying price points.  Spa management have indicated to WoWasis researchers that their clients include men, women, and couples. Couples will be expected to avail themselves of the services of two masseuses. Services and prices vary, but the entire massage process doesn’t vary all that much from spa to spa. Standalone spas are often located in clusters of adjacent spas, providing the customer with several choices within an easy walking area.  Two of the more popular areas for Standalone Spas are located on Sri Ayuttahaya and Ratchadaphisek roads, easily accessible by BTS Skytrain and MRT subway, respectively.

Selected Soapy Massage Spas
Common spa-related terms include:

  • Body-to-body (BTB) massage: This generally occurs on a pool-size rubber air mattress, adjacent to the large bathtub, either by “soapy” or “oily” massage.
  • Thai massage (TM): Standard Thai massage, utilizing traditional techniques.
  • Hand massage (HM): Massage using hands only.
  • VIP: No massage, erotic service only.

The following soapy spas are categorized into two geographical areas within Bangkok:

 
 

Phaya Thai-Sri Ayutthaya area.  The following spas are located within a half kilometer walking distance from the BTS Phaya Thai station.

J-One (Chao Phya 1) (This business has closed, but remains listed for archival purposes)
Sri Ayuttaya Road
GPS: N13°45.393’  E100°32.322’
Offering BTB massage for 2,500 baht, 2 hours.  Best selection of masseuses occurs after 6 pm.

Chao Phya 2 (Chao Phraya 2)
537 Sri Ayuttaya Road
Tel: 02-455-7403
GPS: N13°45.393’  E100°32.466’
Open 12 noon – 11:30 pm
Offering VIP 2,000 baht, BTB 1900 baht, HM 1700 baht, all at 2 hours.

Ratchadaphisek area.   The following spas are located within a half kilometer walking distance south of the MRT Hway Kwang subway station (Exit 3), along the western side of Thanon Ratchadaphisek. 

Ratchada Thai Massage
167/3-66 Ratchadaphisek Road
Tel: 02-276-8546
GPS: N13°46.637’  E100°34.403’
Open 12 pm – 12 am
Offering  TM, 300 baht for 2 hours; Oil massage, 800 baht for 2 hours

Emanuelle Health Spa & Entertainment Club
55 Ratchadaphisek Road
Tel: 02-275-7474
GPS: N13°46.598’  E100°34.401’
Open 2 pm – 12 am
Offering  BTB, 2500 baht for 2 hours.  Most masseuses arrive after 6pm.

Nataree Massage Karaoke (This business has closed, but remains listed for archival purposes)
167/17-20 Ratchadaphisek Road
Tel: 02-692-9144
GPS: N13°46.588’  E100°34.400’
Open 12 pm – 12 am
Offering  BTB, 2000 baht for 2 hours; Also Sideline (2600) and VIP 3200) BTB.  Nataree has more working masseuses at any given time than any Men’s Spa in the area, due to the fact that masseuses are able to come and go as they please, without having to pay a “fine” to management.

Subway Thai Massage
167/23-24 Ratchadaphisek Road
Tel: 02-692-8105
GPS: N13°46.556’  E100°34.403’
Open 12 pm – 12 am
Offering  TM, 400 baht for 2 hours, also a Sauna room

Caesar’s Entertainment Complex
Ratchadaphisek Road (directly across the street from Nataree, exit 2 at MRT station)
GPS: N13°46.638’  E100°34.423’
Here, BTB is 3,000 for 2 hours, 4,000 baht for VIP @ 1.5 hours.  Best selection after 6 pm.

Petchaburi/Sukhumvit Soi 3 area:

Cupidy Massage (basement of Plaza Entertainment Complex)
1543/1-5 New Petchaburi Road
Tel: 0253-15024
Open noon to midnight
Soapy price 2500 to 3000 baht, depending on the masseuse chosen
Cupidy occupies the basement of the Plaza Entertainment Complex at the corner of Kamphaeng Phet Road and Sukhumvit Soi 3.

It’s not easy to find, but here’s the easiest way we’ve found: Take the MRT subway to Phetchaburi station. Depart from Exit 3. Walk north on Rama IX for one block and you’ll be at the corner of Kampang Phet. You’ll want to take a taxi left (west) down that street. If you take the taxi directly to Cupidy, the driver will bargain a commission from Cupidy when he arrives, and you’ll be charged more for a soapy to pay for his commission. Instead, we recommend that you ask your taxi driver to drop you off at the Mercure Bangkok Makkasan Hotel, which is a one minute walk from Cupidy. Walk there yourself down the Plaza’s driveway, and Cupidy is located to the right next to the plaza’s garage.

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One Comment

  1. These sound like very interesting massages. You cater for a wide range of clientele and a soapy massage sounds very intriguing!

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