I just paid for a prison beat down...?

This week has been upwards of 104* Fahrenheit in Chiang Mai.  We've actually had triple digit heat since February.  It's unrelenting without even the slightest breeze to stir the air.  I never thought I would miss cooler weather, but damn!  I've been trying creative ways to beat the heat this past week as my Thailand teaching days in an air-conditioned classroom are over.  Today, I headed to the Chiang Mai Women's Prison for a beat-down, or 'massage' rather.

With my BA and Master's degrees in Forensic Psychology and Criminology respectively, I am 100% an advocate for community rehabilitation programmes with criminals.  The Chiang Mai Women's Prison massage programme is really a great rehabilitation service!  Not only is it giving the incarcerated women a chance to work with the community, but it's also empowering them with a top trade skill in Thailand: Thai massage.  The women at the massage center are due to be released from incarceration within six months, so this skill they have learned can greatly increase their chances at finding a job and starting over after they are released.


Chiang Mai Women's Prison Massage Center

I would imagine that this is a great honour among the inmates to have this opportunity.  Instead of being stuck in the prison all day (especially in the summer heat), they are brought into the massage center, with air conditioning, and get to work - the money they make is theirs to take when they are released from prison.  It gives them invaluable skills - and let me tell you, the massages at the women's prison are the best massages I've had in Thailand...and I've had a LOT of massages in Thailand. 

This programme also brings in a lot of money to the community.  With roughly 15-20 massage beds and around 10 foot massage chairs, they are full every time I've gone in for a massage.  Many days, unless you're there early to make an appointment, you're out of luck because they are full of appointments for the day.  (You don't need and appointment and if you show up after 12 noon, you're more than likely able to get a massage for the day, but you'll probably have to wait 10-30 minutes...after 2pm, you might not get one as they close at 4:30pm).  The massages are 150 baht ($5.00) for the best hour massage of your life.  Bargain.  Especially considering that since January 1, 2013, most massage parlors in Chiang Mai have increased their hourly massage prices to 200 baht.

The massage center itself is not what you'd expect, either.  It's luxurious, comfortable, and extremely calming.  It's in a beautiful teak wood house with a lovely garden and cafe in the front.  The women are not walking around in chains or cuffs.  There are friendly prison guards that run the center and keep things in order.  With relaxing traditional Thai music playing softly, it's hard not to fall asleep in your relaxed state.  (The guards do tell you to keep your money and phone with you in your bags however...these women are incarcerated after all - common sense).

Buy products made by the prisoners at the Chiang Mai Women's Prison

The prison used to be directly across the street from the massage center, but it closed this past February and the women are now bused in daily from the prison in Mae Rim - about 30 minutes away.

Before or after your massage, you can enjoy a meal, a coffee or tea, or a delicious fruit smoothie.  There are also a few carts in the small courtyard that sell products made by the prisoners.  Today, I decided to enjoy a delicious coconut smoothie while waiting for my friend (our massage times were off-set by 20 minutes as we walked in after 2pm). 

A delicious coconut smoothie!

If you're in Chiang Mai and want a break from temple spotting in the heat, I recommend going to the Chiang Mai Women's Prison for a massage.  Not only are you in for a great massage, you're also helping to support a great rehabilitation programme.  Then you can tell all your friends at home that you got a beat down by a prisoner and they'll think you're a badass ;-)

The massage center is located behind the Three King's Monument, near the center of the Old City and it's open from 8:30-16:30.  As mentioned, it's 150 baht for 1 hour, either a foot massage or traditional Thai massage.  Enjoy!

Happy Trails!