Thai massage courses in Bangkok
The Wat Pho massage school offers five courses. Three are short 30-hour courses: General Thai Massage, Foot Reflexology, and Oil Massage and Aroma Therapy. Two are longer: Professional Thai Massage for Health at 165 hours and Advanced Thai Medical Massage at 42 hours.
The school runs several locations, and they are easy to mix up. Check which address your course uses before you book (details below). If you only want to receive a massage, not learn the technique, see the Wat Pho massage page.
Our picks: short Thai massage classes
Our take: both are two-hour classes outside the temple school. The workshop for two suits couples, and the small-group class focuses on technique.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Thai massage class in a small group
- Two-hour class
- Thai massage techniques
- English-speaking expert
Two hours of basic techniques with a massage expert, away from the old town.
Check availability →Thai massage workshop for two
- English-speaking teacher
- Massage clothes
- Herbal tea
A two-hour class with an English-speaking teacher, held outside the temple.
Check availability →Thai massage classes and sessions in Bangkok
Massage sessions and hands-on classes in Bangkok, with live prices and availability.
Courses and fees
Fees for 2026. Check the current fee with the school before you pay.
| Course | Length | Fee, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| General Thai Massage | 30 hours | THB 14,100 |
| Foot Reflexology | 30 hours | THB 12,600 |
| Oil Massage and Aroma Therapy | 30 hours | THB 15,600 |
| Advanced Thai Medical Massage | 42 hours | – |
| Professional Thai Massage for Health | 165 hours | – |
For most beginners, the 30-hour General Thai Massage course is the usual starting point. Choose Foot Reflexology if you only want to work on feet. The two longer courses suit people who plan to work with the technique professionally.
How many hours and days?
The General Thai Massage course runs 30 hours, about five days. Some intakes run at least 60 hours over ten days under the same course name. These are very different commitments, so ask for the exact hours and days of your intake before you book flights or hotels around it.
Which course fits you
Pick by goal, not by price.
Curious beginner
General Thai Massage, 30 hours. If it runs over five days, that is about six hours of class a day, so keep the week free.
Feet only
Foot Reflexology, 30 hours, at the lowest fee of the three short courses.
Oils and aroma
Oil Massage and Aroma Therapy, 30 hours, at the highest fee of the three.
Working in massage
Professional Thai Massage for Health (165 hours) or Advanced Thai Medical Massage (42 hours). A course of 165 hours is a stay of weeks, not a holiday activity.
Where the courses take place
Three addresses with a similar name.
Tha Tien school
392/33–34 Soi Phenphat 1, Maharaj Road. This is the school address.
Riverside branch
In Soi Phenphat 2. Phenphat and Pen Phat are two spellings of the same name, not two schools.
Massage pavilion in the temple
On Sanam Chai Road, inside the temple grounds. This is where visitors get a massage. See the massage page.
What to ask before you book
The answers decide whether the course fits your trip.
The current fee
Ask for the fee in writing, and whether anything is paid in advance.
Start dates
Ask which start dates are free. A first message does not secure a seat.
Language of teaching
Ask in which language your course is taught.
Certificate abroad
Ask whether the certificate is recognised in the country where you plan to work.
The school takes enquiries by LINE (@watpo-chetawan) or WhatsApp. Course and massage rates are separate from the temple entrance fee, which is THB 300 for foreigners in 2026. The practice of Thai massage, Nuad Thai, has been on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage since 2019. That covers the practice, not any single course.
If you have a free afternoon, the rest of Wat Pho is next door to the pavilion, and Wat Arun is a short hop across the river.
Thai massage course Bangkok: frequently asked questions
How long is a Thai massage course at Wat Pho?
The General Thai Massage course runs 30 hours, about five days. Foot Reflexology and Oil Massage and Aroma Therapy are also 30 hours. Advanced Thai Medical Massage is 42 hours, and Professional Thai Massage for Health is 165 hours. Some intakes run at least 60 hours for the general course, so ask about yours.
How much does the course cost?
Fees for 2026 are THB 14,100 for General Thai Massage, THB 12,600 for Foot Reflexology and THB 15,600 for Oil Massage and Aroma Therapy. Check the current fee with the school.
How do I book?
The school takes enquiries by LINE (@watpo-chetawan) or WhatsApp. A message does not confirm a seat, so ask about start dates.
Where is the school?
The Tha Tien school is at 392/33–34 Soi Phenphat 1, Maharaj Road. A riverside branch is in Soi Phenphat 2. The massage pavilion in the temple is a separate place on Sanam Chai Road.
Is the course accredited by UNESCO?
No. UNESCO recognises the practice of Nuad Thai, not a course or a school.
Is this the school's official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to the temple or the massage school.