Thai Massage: The Story of a Unique Adventure with a Thai Master
I love Thailand! I love the people, the food, and the opportunity to learn and receive the unique massage that Thailand is known for.
Ten years ago while traveling in Thailand, I had one of the most unique massage experiences of my life. Receiving a massage from one of the great Thai masters, Chaiyuth Priyasith, was an experience I knew I couldn’t miss while in Thailand.
It took weeks to get a session scheduled with him. As a practitioner of Thai massage myself, I knew what to expect in general, but I was in for a surprise.
Like most Thai massage sessions, it was performed on a mat on the floor while fully clothed. The similarities to traditional Thai massage ended there. Twenty minutes after the session began, Chaiyuth took a break to speak with the gardeners. Next, he decided he wanted to enjoy some tea with me. His Thai massage sessions were certainly non-linear!
Another surprising moment came about an hour into the session, when he invited me to go to a sacred dance ceremony with him. Under any other situation, I would have been up for the cultural adventure, but I had the catch a bus to my next destination in a couple hours. Chaiyuth was quite enthused about the idea of us going to the dance ceremony together. He repeatedly tried to persuade me to change my plans and join him.
Two hours had passed since the Thai massage session began, and he had only completed working the right side of my body. He asked in his charming broken English, “You like the way your right side feel?”
I replied, “Yes.”
He said, “You want your left side to feel same-same, you must come dancing with me.”
As a ‘master’, I knew that it was probably uncommon for people say “no” to him, but I also felt he had a sense of humor. With a big smile, I replied, “Chaiyuth, are you familiar with the English word ‘manipulative’?”
He chuckled and said, “Okay, okay, I do your left side.”
Another hour and a half later, the epic massage was complete and we parted ways. I was even successful in catching my bus. I think he may have made the session extra long in the hope that I would miss my bus so I could go dancing with him. Either way, this unique three and a half hour massage was an experience I won’t forget.
For a brief video showing Chaiyuth at work, click here.
If you’d like to explore receiving Thai massage or bodywork from me, your experience may also be unique. I will, however, always honor you and your time and I won’t try to persuade you to go dancing with me (even though I do love to dance). Click here to contact me or to schedule a session.
Anne Golla
December 8, 2015 at 6:00 pmHi Stephanie! I found your website looking for materials about Chayuth. I study and practice Thai massage and have lived in CM part-time the last 4 years (mainly with Pichest, also with Khun Ni and Ajahn Suwat and I spent time with Mama Nit before she passed earlier this year). I ‘ve become interested in Chayuth’s style. Unfortunately I came too late to meet him. I’ve seen some of his students working but there are virtually no photos or videos of him out there other than that 2 minute clip on YoutTube! I was wondering if you have any other pictures of Chayuth working you might be able to share, just to get a glimpse of what he was doing? I don’t have any “project” – just interested a lot and want to understand the history. OK, maybe this is a shot in the dark, it’s been so long, but just thought I would ask!!!