The History of Traditional Thai Massage – Since 1946
Traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage have been essential parts of Thai culture since ancient times. During the Ayutthaya Kingdom, the royal court maintained close ties with medicine through institutions such as the Department of Medicine and the Bureau of Massage Practitioners. Even after Western medicine was introduced by French missionaries, traditional healing methods remained widely practiced, with herbal pharmacies flourishing throughout the country. Knowledge of these practices was passed down from master to apprentice, giving rise to various regional and historical schools of Thai massage.

During the Rattanakosin period, King Rama I restored Wat Pho (formerly Wat Photaram) and gathered ancient manuscripts and massage manuals to preserve traditional medical knowledge. Later, under King Rama III, the temple underwent another major restoration. Numerous inscriptions on traditional medicine and massage techniques were engraved within the temple grounds, establishing Wat Pho as the center of traditional Thai medicine and the spiritual birthplace of Thai massage.

In 1956, the Royal Commission on Traditional Medicine translated ancient medical manuscripts into modern Thai and compiled them into the Royal Medical Texts (Tamra Phaetsat Songkroh). These texts included a dedicated section on Royal Massage Manuals, preserving and systematizing traditional Thai massage as an integral part of Thailand’s official medical heritage.

On December 12, 2019, Traditional Thai Massage was officially inscribed by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition celebrates Thailand’s centuries-old healing wisdom and the enduring cultural value of Thai massage, which continues to promote well-being and connection between body and mind across the world.