The place of origin of Thai massage education
When you step into the peaceful temple complex of Wat Pho in the heart of Bangkok, you step into a living piece of Thai cultural history. Wat Pho is not only one of Thailand's oldest and most iconic temples – it is also the spiritual and practical home of traditional Thai massage.
The temple has served as a center of learning for both Buddhist philosophy and healing practices for centuries. Here, Thai massage was not only performed, but also systematized and taught – making Wat Pho the official birthplace of modern Thai massage education.
A temple with deep roots in Thailand's history
Wat Pho, also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon, was founded long before Bangkok became the capital in the late 18th century. During the reign of King Rama I, the temple was greatly expanded and restored as part of the cultural buildup of the Rattanakosin era.
But it was under King Rama III, in the mid-19th century, that Wat Pho gained its current role as a national center of learning. He ordered that wisdom in areas such as medicine, astrology, and massage be carved into stone and displayed in the temple grounds – so that traditional knowledge would not be lost to future generations.
The birthplace of Thai massage as we know it
Wat Pho is not just symbolically important – it is an active center for teaching Thai massage. Here you will find The Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School, which was founded in 1955 and still today offers courses for both local and international students.
What is special about the education at Wat Pho is that it is based on knowledge passed down from generations of healers and monks. It teaches a holistic approach, where the body's energy pathways – known as Late – used as a starting point for both diagnosis and treatment.
Students learn to perform massage forms such as manual pressure, yoga-like stretching and acupressure with precision and respect for the body's balance and energy flow.
The Stone Slabs: Thailand's Oldest "Textbooks" in Massage
One of the most fascinating attractions of Wat Pho is the engraved stone slabs, which show diagrams of the human body with markings of pressure points and energy lines. These were posted on the temple walls in the 1830s and constitute some of the world's oldest publicly available documentation of medical knowledge.
These visual guides are still used in teaching, and many professional masseurs in Thailand have based their practice on these original illustrations and principles.
Wat Pho today – between spirituality and tourism
Today, Wat Pho is visited by millions of tourists who come to admire the enormous reclining Buddha statue and enjoy the tranquility of the beautiful temple complex. But for those who want a deeper experience, Wat Pho still offers massage treatments in the temple's massage pavilion.
Here you can experience Thai massage as it was intended – calm, respectful, and performed with a spiritual foundation, where both body and mind are met with attention.
Thai massage training for everyone – including foreigners
It is possible for both Thais and foreigners to take massage courses at Wat Pho. The courses range from short introductions to longer certified courses where you learn the classical techniques from scratch.
This makes Wat Pho a central destination not only for pilgrims and tourists, but also for wellness professionals and alternative healers from around the world.
Wat Pho and the importance of Thai massage for modern wellness
Wat Pho symbolizes the connection between ancient knowledge and modern needs. In a time when stress, sedentary lifestyles and lack of body awareness characterize many people's everyday lives, Thai massage has become a sought-after form of treatment – not just in Thailand, but globally.
The treatment's focus on balance, presence and wholeness makes it timeless. And Wat Pho still stands as living proof of how tradition and renewal can go hand in hand.
Plan your visit and experience the roots of Thai massage
If you're planning to visit Bangkok, Wat Pho should be at the top of your list. Not just for its beautiful architecture and religious significance – but for an authentic insight into where Thai massage originated.
You can also read more about massage clinics and opportunities in Denmark here:
🔗 Thailisten – your guide to Thai massage in Denmark