Thailand: 19th century diagrams placed during the reign of Rama III (1787 - 1851) showing the body's acupressure points, Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Bangkok

Thai massage, like Traditional Thai Medicine more generally, is a combination of influences from Indian, Chinese, Southeast Asian cultural spheres and traditions of medicine. The art as it is practiced today is the product of a 19th century synthesis of various healing traditions from all over the kingdom. Even today, there is considerable variation from region to region across Thailand, and no single routine or theoretical framework is universally accepted among healers.

Originally built in the 16th century, Wat Pho is Bangkok's oldest temple. King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty (1736—1809) rebuilt the temple in the 1780s.

Officially called Wat Phra Chetuphon, it is one of Bangkok's best known Buddhist temples and is nowadays a major tourist attraction, located directly to the south of the Grand Palace. Wat Pho is famed for its Reclining Buddha and renowned as the home of traditional Thai massage.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia