Jingjok
Why แรง is a compliment
raaeng
A นวดไทย (Thai massage) is pressing, pulling and stretching, done fully clothed on a mat; a neighbourhood shop typically charges 250–350 baht an hour. The masseuse will check the pressure, and four words do the job: แรงๆ หน่อย harder, เบาๆ หน่อย softer, เจ็บ that hurts, สบาย that's good. Regulars who love deep work go looking for a masseuse whose hands are แรง, and many masseuses take pride in their strength, so saying นวดแรงดี ('a nice strong massage') is real praise. Don't be a hero, though: if something is เจ็บ, say so straight away; nobody is offended. A tip of 50–100 baht an hour for a good massage is normal, handed over at the end.
Try this today
Book a one-hour นวดไทย and say แรงๆ หน่อย or เบาๆ หน่อย at least once.
The words that carry it
- เจ็บto hurt (sharp pain)
- นวดto massage
- นวดไทยThai massage
- แรงstrong, hard (force)
- เบาlight, gentle, soft
Learn this in “Health and pharmacy” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.