Wat Pho Thai Massage School (Chetawan)

The Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School was opened in 1955 inside Wat Pho and was the first school of Thai medicine approved by the Ministry of Education; the temple is regarded as the birthplace of Thai massage, with 60 inscribed plaques of pressure points on its walls. Two pavilions at the eastern edge of the compound serve as classrooms and as a public massage service, where visitors are treated by school-trained therapists; the school's courses, from a 5-day foundation to professional programmes, are booked through its Salaya campus and the Chetawan branch outside the walls on Soi Phenphat 1. MRT Sanam Chai, exit 1, serves the temple, and Tha Tien pier is close by. The massage service runs daily 08:00-19:30; official rates are Thai or foot massage 340 baht for 30 minutes, 520 for 60 and 1,040 for 120, with herbal balm and plai oil versions from 620 baht. Temple admission of 300 baht applies, treatments are first come first served and midday queues are common.