“A question, please,” said my classmate Olivia shyly. “In Brazil we don’t have this idea, but I hear that in America and Europe, Thai massage sometimes is, um… well… how you say…”
According to a 2004 issue of The Nation (pictured, left), Thailand has an estimated 2,800,000 sex workers, comprising 4% of the population here. This is one out of every 24 people in Thailand involved in prostitution. That’s a lot!
Most often, however, the sex shop display sign is more subtle, and reads simply: “Massage”. How’s an innocent traveling pup to know which are the real Thai massage parlors, and which are those that provide those certain special services at the end?
He gave us a big wink and a smile, and everyone giggled. Prostitution is so prevalent here, everyone is always referring to it. For better or worse, these references are usually accompanied by chuckles and a sense of humor.
“You don’t go high enough!” reprimanded the French woman I was partnered with today. “Point three is all the way up here by zee groin, not down by zee knee!”
“Oh right,” I stuttered, “I, um, forgot.”
I’ve spent so much of my life NOT putting my hands all over random strangers that it is an odd thing to start practicing it daily.
It is a tricky task communicating enough with my massage partners to make the whole endeavor respectful… and respectable! But it is endlessly fascinating, and I am thrilled to be in this course. Stay tuned for more!
The author, Lillie Marshall, is 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 3.7 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
Jun Hao Wu
Tuesday 26th of October 2010
At first I think this is a passage about Thailand massage and thinking its just like normal massage from other places. Until I saw this essay I didn't notice most massage place in Thailand is involved with prostitution. And i didn't know there was a Michael Jackson area. Did you try some massaging moves mentioned in the manual? Hope you did enjoy your massage in Thailand.
Alex
Thursday 17th of January 2013
Most massage places aren't fronts for prostitution. A lot of the places tourists frequent do, but the normal places for Thais are usually just massage parlors. Thai massage is considered a medical and spiritual practice.
This is all you need to know to find a legitimate massage parlor. Don't go to a place where people are calling you to come in and only has women massaging. The best place to go to is a Thai temple, which offers the best quality and cheapest massages.
Genesis Lumahan
Saturday 23rd of October 2010
Now that I think of it, southeast Asia is in fact involved in a lot of prostitution. I was watching a documentary of a teenage girl from Cambodia named Minh, she was sex trafficked by her own parents to make extra money. It's horrible.
Imported Blogger Comments
Wednesday 26th of May 2010
Everything under the Sun said... Thailand prostitution stats are scary, just check from your teacher how did the Thai massage evolve , i can read a link between the prostitution and Thai massage.
November 24, 2009 12:17 PM
nodebtworldtravel.com said... "You want boom boom??"
Ah Thailand. Love that country.
If Thai massage has these moves in the books, it's really easy to see how it could develop into "Happy Endings" for a little extra cash. Real easy.
November 26, 2009 1:37 AM
Dave said... Congrats on passing Level 1 of "lazy bum yoga"!
November 27, 2009 11:59 PM