Quick facts
- Known for
- Traditional Thai massage · Oil massage
On site
Facilities
- Visually impaired therapists
- Therapists trained for at least 300 hours
- Male and female therapists
- Single-bed rooms
- Shared mat rooms
- Air conditioning
- Telephone reservations
- Walk-in service when capacity permits
- Tea after treatment
About
The Thai Blind Massage Institute — TBMI — is a charity massage centre on Thappraya Road, occupying converted units inside the Jomtien Complex condotel. Opened in 1999 by Khun Sayan, a former monk, with support from a friend named Mr Henri, it was set up to give blind and visually-impaired Thais proper training and dignified work. Its therapists are trained in Chiang Mai and certified for at least 300 hours of massage education, and many have years of experience on top of that. The result is a place that pairs a genuinely good, thorough massage with a cause worth supporting.
The massage
The idea behind blind massage is simple: without sight, therapists rely on a heightened sense of touch and a strong, learned understanding of the body’s pressure points — which regulars say makes for an unusually accurate, methodical massage. The menu covers the classics: traditional Thai massage (assisted stretching and acupressure), oil and aromatherapy massage, herbal-aroma treatments and foot reflexology, generally offered in 60-, 90- and 120-minute sessions. You can specify soft, medium or strong pressure and request a male or female therapist when you book.
What to expect
This is a therapeutic massage house rather than a luxury spa: the setting is simple and functional, with rooms varying from single beds to larger shared rooms with floor mats, and a small terrace where you can have tea afterwards. Come for skilled hands and value, not for plunge pools, robes and mood lighting. It’s a firm favourite with returning visitors and long-stay expats precisely because the work is good and the prices are honest.
Prices and booking
Rates sit well below the resort spas — a one-hour traditional Thai massage is usually only a few hundred baht, with oil, aromatherapy and the longer 90- and 120-minute sessions priced up from there. There’s no published online rate card, so confirm the current price on arrival. Because the better therapists get busy, it’s worth phoning ahead (038 251 851) to reserve a preferred masseur and time; walk-ins are frequently possible but not guaranteed at peak times.
Getting there
TBMI is on Thappraya Road, the connector between Jomtien Beach and south Pattaya near Big Buddha Hill, inside the Jomtien Complex building. It’s a short Grab, Bolt or baht-bus ride from Jomtien or Pratumnak. Find it on Google Maps or use the OSM pin below — it sits within a larger complex, so the map helps.
Good to know
Why go: a skilled, keenly priced therapeutic massage from certified blind therapists, with your baht supporting a genuine charity — one of the more meaningful ways to unwind in Pattaya.
Know before you go: it’s simple and functional rather than plush, there’s no formal price list online, and popular therapists book out — so call ahead, confirm the rate, and don’t expect spa-style extras.
- Address: 413/89–90 Thappraya Road (Jomtien Complex), Moo 12, Jomtien
- Phone: 038 251 851 (+66 38 251 851)
- Sessions: Thai, oil, aromatherapy, herbal and foot massage; 60/90/120 minutes
- Website: http://www.pattayathaimassage.com/
- View on map
Location data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Before you go
The honest take
Practical context to consider before you choose.
- The institute does not publish a current numeric rate card online
- Some treatments take place in shared rooms rather than private spa suites
- The setting is a functional massage institute rather than a resort spa
- Booking is advisable when requesting a specific therapist
- Pressure should be agreed before treatment because therapeutic massage can be firm
Sources checked · 5
These are the pages used to check this guide. Opening hours, prices and other details can change after the recorded access date.
- Thai Blind Massage Institute — official site (history, address, phone) · accessed
- Thai Blind Massage — Jomtien Complex directory · accessed
- Thai Blind Massage Institute — Tripadvisor reviews · accessed
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · accessed
- Google rating · accessed