Source: Manual for the Thai Traditional Massage Course at Wat Po
Massage is an ancient and natural healing method. Nowadays, it is very popular and useful because it’s safe, without side effects, and not toxic or harmful to your health. The most advantage is the warm touch of the massage.
The first international document to mention about Thai massage was the memorandum of Simon de Loubere, French liaison to the Thai Royal Court in Ayutthia in 1661.
Thai Massage has been taught from generation to generation by their own skill. The massage students learnt by heart. Some of the difficult lessons were lost and omitted.
ln 1836, during the reign of King Rama lll, by royal decree, inscriptions of ancient arts and sciences have been collected in Wat Po, as a sort of a university. These have included Medical Science, Pharmacopoeia and Massage. There are 60 pictures depicting lines and points in the human body and also including specific massage therapy for various symptoms and ailments.
ln 1906, during the reign of King Rama V The Great, by royal decree they translated all ancient medical sciences from various ancient languages into the present Thai language and recorded it in hand writing as the Royal Medical Text Book called “Tum Ra Pade Sard Songkroah (Chabub Luang)”. lt also included the massage procedures, lines and points called “Tum Ra Nuad Chabub Luang” (Hand Therapy)’.
On May 1962, Moh ponl Tomyanim, the first manager of The Wat Po Medical and Massage School opened the massage course. He invited many massage teachers from various places to teach there. They are still teaching their own skillful techniques to their massage students.
ln 1991, Mr. Kumthorn Tangtrongchitr, the former chairman of Wat Po’s Medical and Massage Association advised the school to set up a standard massage course. Many seminars were held during October to December 1991. The conclusion of all 18 massage teachers is the basic massage lines should be based on the important points of the TEN MAJOR MASSAGE LINES. These lines should be easy and common to practice. The stretching and yoga positions are also evaluated to select the safe ones only. lt is up to the individual to learn the extra positions but do so with care.
Preeda Tangtrongchitr B.Sc. (in Pharm)., M.Sc.
September 3, 1992