Tharnnava Massage

Greetings from Nong Hoi, on the residential east side of Chiang Mai. Tharnnava Massage is a neighbourhood shop that, according to published notes, draws a mainly local Thai crowd, with private air-conditioned rooms upstairs and two branches close together. It suits travellers who want to step off the tourist trail and don't mind a place where English-language details are scarce. The only published price is a ฿500 add-on, so the base massage price isn't known before you arrive. Skip it if you want to see staff in person before choosing, as selection is reportedly from photos on an iPad, or if a private shower matters. Google reviewers mostly praise the clean shop and polite staff. For more central choices, see the happy ending shortlist.

Tharnnava Massage is listed as a happy ending massage shop in the Tha Sala and Nong Hoi area. According to published notes, it has two branches near each other, each with around four air-conditioned private rooms upstairs. Customers choose from photos on an iPad rather than a lineup. A shower is available, but it isn't private. The listing also mentions body-to-body.

The same notes say the shop is popular mainly with local Thai customers and that one review rates the massage technique as weak, with the extras being the draw. The Google reviews mostly disagree on technique: many describe a relaxing, well-pressured massage, and two mention a male masseur, which suggests the shop also serves customers simply wanting a massage.

Its rate card lists only one item:

• Happy ending add-on (no duration listed): ฿500

The price of the massage itself isn't published, so ask at the counter before you start. There are no listed booking channels, payment methods or languages. Walk-ins are accepted. One Google reviewer found the staff unfriendly when making a reservation, so turning up in person may be the simpler route.

The address is 51/11 Ban Sao Hin Soi 5, Nong Hoi, Mueang Chiang Mai 50000. Nong Hoi sits east of the Ping River, away from the Old City and Nimman. Chiang Mai has no metro, so a Grab is the easiest option; show the driver the address. One reviewer mentions convenient parking if you're on a scooter or in a car.

It opens daily from 10:00 to 22:00.

Travellers staying on the east side of the river, curious visitors who want a local rather than tourist-strip shop, and anyone happy to sort out details in person. It doesn't suit those who want a full price list up front, a private shower or a late finish. For more choice in town, try the Night Bazaar shortlist, the Nimman shortlist or our Chiang Mai guide.

Tharnnava Massage holds a 4.7 Google rating from 133 reviews, and the supplied reviews are mostly short and positive. The recurring themes are a clean, pleasant shop, polite and friendly staff, and a good, relaxing massage, with several saying the pressure can be adjusted. Two reviewers mention a male masseur with good pressure.

The complaints split two ways. Two one-star reviewers warn that it isn't a 'real' massage and is aimed at men looking for a happy ending, so anyone wanting a purely therapeutic massage should take note. Another one-star reviewer found the staff unfriendly at booking. Most reviews are only a line or two, so weigh the rating with that in mind. Wish you were here? Go in knowing what kind of shop it is.