Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Thai slant, and it was one of the first to develop massage training for foreigners. There are
two 10-day massage courses a month, as well as shorter foot and oil massage courses.
Chetawan Thai Traditional Massage School
MASSAGE
( 0 5341 0360;
www.watpomassage.com
; 7/1-2 Soi Samud Lanna, Th Pracha Uthit; general course 9500B)
Bangkok's Wat Pho massage school established this Chiang Mai branch outside of town
near Rajabhat University. Courses range from traditional to infant and child.
Lek Chaiya
( 0 5327 8325;
www.nervetouch.com
;
27-29 Th Ratchadamnoen; courses 5000-7000B)
Khun Lek learned
jàp sên
(literally 'nerve touch'), a northern Thai massage technique akin to acupressure,
from her mother and became a well-known practitioner. Her son Jack carries on the busi-
ness and the profession. Courses run from two to three days and cover about 50% of a tra-
ditional Thai massage course, with the remainder dedicated to the nerve-touch technique
and herbal therapies. To experience
jàp sên,
stop in for a massage (550B to 1200B).
MASSAGE
Art of Massage
( 08 3866 2901;
www.artofmassage.webs.com
; Soi 3, Th Loi Kroh; courses 1200-2900B)
Khun Wanna gets
rave reviews for her practical training sessions, limited to a maximum of two people.
Courses are typically two to three days, ideal for students looking for quick hands-on ex-
perience.
MASSAGE
TEFL Training
A crummy job market back home has helped spur many recent graduates to turn their
backpacking sojourn through Southeast Asia into a working abroad commitment, thanks
to their accidental luck of being native English speakers. English teaching jobs are widely
available throughout Thailand. Most schools don't require specialised degrees or certific-
ates for native speakers, but coursework in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL)
prepares first-time teachers to have more success in the classroom through activities de-
signed to engage students in a subject that is second nature for the native speaker.
TEFL courses come in varying degrees of legitimacy and have become, in recent years,
a way to circumvent visa regulations in Thailand. For those truly interested in preparing
