Loi Kroh massage shops

They are scattered along Loi Kroh Road, east of the Old City between the moat and the Night Bazaar. Look between the beer bars and you will see them. They are walkable from hotels near Tha Phae Gate, and you can reach them without a taxi.

My note on them is oil-massage shops, aimed at nightlife visitors. An oil massage with extras is the simplest version: a massage, and some shops offer extras on top. If you want a plain Thai massage, the Old City has traditional shops and training schools where a massage means just that.

Traditional shops look the part: open fronts, foot-massage chairs and a clear price board. Extras shops tend to have tinted windows, dim lighting, staff calling from the doorway and vague price lists. Asking for extras in a traditional shop causes embarrassment, so do not.

Usually at the turnover, when she asks you to roll onto your back partway through an oil massage and asks if you want special. Agree what is on offer and what it costs before anything starts. If you would rather not, say no thanks politely and she will carry on with the massage.

Yes. Masseuses earn much of their income from tips, so hand it to her directly, not to the counter. At an extras shop the tip is effectively the price of the extra and is agreed with her in the room, so settle it before anything starts. Never leave money at the desk.

Nearby are Wild Boar, Mature Massage, Number 1 Cafe Bistro, Cloud 9 and Paradise, plus more shops down the road. That means bars and food are within a minute or two, so you can have a beer first or a meal afterwards. The Night Bazaar is a short walk.

Not usually, because most shops take walk-ins and you can choose on the spot. Booking helps if you want a particular masseuse or a busy evening slot. Opening hours vary from shop to shop, so check on the day, and look at the shop front and the price list before you go in.

Walk past two or three shops before you choose, ask what is included at the door and agree anything extra before it starts. Keep valuables in your hotel safe, tip her directly and then drift to a nearby bar. If you only want a plain Thai massage, pick an open-fronted shop.