You could cancel that ticket you bought for a vacation to Thailand, expecting to spend a chilled-out weekend with liberal doses of massages thrown in. Thanks to a few health spots around town, Calcutta is ready to rub the Mecca of massage real close.

“We not only follow the original Thai techniques, our masseurs, too, have trained and worked at Banyan Tree, the renowned Thai massage centre. The experience we offer is absolutely authentic,” says Amitabh Rai, general manager of the Oberoi Grand. The Thai massage section at the Oberoi Spa is, in fact, run by Banyan Tree.

In quite another part of town, ITC Sonar Bangla has introduced massages known as “lazy man’s yoga” in Thailand. “The massages can help relieve stress, soothe the internal system, help in the free flow of blood and relax the muscles,” explains Gurpreet, manager, Sonar Spa.

And if you want to bust some myths about Thai massage, just hear it from the masseurs. “There are a lot of misconceptions about Thai massages. People have the impression that it’s something erotic, but it isn’t so in the least bit. Traditional Thai massage is an art that one has to master over years. We are like doctors trying to help patients heal,” points out Pavasu, the Thai supervisor at the Oberoi, here on a foreign assignment.

The Oberoi experience

The pampering at the Oberoi’s plush indoor spa is felt to be believed. From the moment one steps into the first-floor address, the look, the aroma, the feel and the hospitality are all geared to fill up the senses, true Thai style. Petite Thai women welcome the guest to the first stopover — the help desk — where the kind of massage is decided. From the head, to the back, to the legs — there is something for every part of the anatomy.

While the true Thai massage is done without any oil, innovations allow for the Rejuvenating Thai Massage, which uses perfumed invigorating oil to enliven the body. A typical massage takes about 60 minutes, followed by a dip in a warm bath with rose petals, a cool shower and a refreshing cup of ginger tea.

The hand movements and focussed pressure on the body with oil of your choice (eucalyptus or jasmine) for a full hour “release blockades and stretch the muscles”, leaving the body relaxed and light. There are options of taking a massage alone or with a partner.

Price: Rs 2,700, plus taxes

Masseur No. 1 at Sonar Spa

The baby-faced import from Thailand called Ooy (seen in the pictures) is the latest rage with guests because of her excellent massage techniques. In fact, even if you are suffering from intense arthritic pain, this young lady with a smile on her face knows how to offer relief, at least temporarily. The Thai room at the ITC Sonar Spa, like most of the other massage rooms, overlooks a waterbody that has an instant calming effect on the guest. Dressed in a white cotton kurta and pyjama, the guest is escorted to the Thai room where he or she is treated to an hour of massage, the focus of which is on relaxing the muscles by applying pressure on certain points of the body.

No oil is used in this. “We will soon start applying hot compress with Thai herbs after the massage, which will open the nasal channels and help in better breathing, besides energising the body,” says Gurpreet.

Price: Rs 1,750, plus taxes

Oriental feel at Solace

The masseurs at this luxury centre in Sunny Park might not be straight from the Oriental destination, but they are all trained from the Watpo school of Thailand and promise to give you the traditional Thai touch. The Thai room here specialises in a dry massage that uses pressure techniques to heal a tired body.

Price: Rs 625, plus taxes