Thai massage is very inexpensive in Thailand (as are all the other kinds of massage too) - like 400 Baht/hr (and that's before you negotiate -- could easily be half that on a slow day), which is like US$13.50.
But in terms of the differences in styles, wikipedia has a good overall comparison. It also has in-depth descriptions of Thai Massage and some others.
The quick summary: Thai massage, sometimes described as "yoga for lazy people", involved not only rubbing but a lot of joint moving and stretching. It is typically done clothed (wearing a loose smock and loose pants). A full Thai massage course typically takes 2 hours, and is wonderful. There are also interesting things that can be done with herbs, for example the "Thai balls massage" (which is not what you're thinking right now -- it uses large balls of herbs pressed into your body).
As for most other kinds of massage (Indonesian/Japanese/Chinese/Swedishetc.), I find they are all variations on a theme. The theme involves "kneading" the muscles and ligaments/tendons of the body, sometimes using an oil and sometimes not. One is usually naked, but covered by either a sheet or towel.
Wikipedia also has a completely inadequate section on erotic massage.
It is probably fair to say that in most of the erotic massage places we frequent, any non-Thai massage can be named whatever country the customer wants it to be named, but will still come out the same. Thai massage, because it is so different, is harder to impersonate.
Gherk | |
