Get a massage from a prison inmate

Don’t worry; this doesn’t require you to lay down in a small concrete cell with bars, getting rubbed down by a woman wearing all orange. Quite the opposite in fact. The space is quite large, around 20 beds, is well lit and appropriately smells of massage oil, creating an atmosphere of relaxation. Uniformed wardens regularly walk through to monitor and provide reassurance.

Who will be massaging me then? Well, rest assured it’s not going to be a convicted murderer, but women are serving sentences for minor crimes. It’s all managed by the Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institute, which aims to give inmates the opportunity to learn skills that they can use after prison. What’s also great is that the women get to keep all of their earnings, including tips, which is given to them when they’re released.

This may sound like an experience with limited appeal, but you will find that in the last few years this place has made a name for itself with many people consistently saying that they have received their best Thai massage here and as a result, it gets booked up quickly.

Massage services are limited to 1 and 2-hour Thai Massages (priced at 200 & 400 Baht) and a 1-hour foot massage for 200 Baht.