An All-Seeing Touch

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Lying in a dimly lit room, my eyes tightly closed, I considered the world of Paranee Fongta, a 29-year-old massage therapist born without sight.

As Paranee gently pressed the tension from my shoulders, I quickly slipped into a state of deep relaxation, reflecting on the common local belief that blind therapists are able to “see” through their hands.

One of Spa Cenvaree’s two blind therapists, Paranee trained in traditional Thai massage with the Thai Medical Society in order to attain her Ministry of Public Health-approved massage therapist certification.

Paranee, a native of Lampang, then received further training upon her employment at Centara Grand, Central Plaza Ladprao — the first in the Centara hotel chain to employ blind massage therapists.

According to spa manager Natrja Aramsri, it is a core part of the hotel’s policy to educate and train people with disabilities or financial problems.

“Blind therapists are thought to have a unique talent for massage therapy as they are able to fully focus on their sense of touch in a way others cannot,’’ she said. ‘’Because of their lack of sight, blind therapists are able to channel their energy through other senses and direct that energy through their sense of touch.’’

Paranee was certainly skilled, quickly finding and easing even my most stubborn of aches. Using pressure points to relieve muscular tension and stretching techniques to loosen joints and tone muscles, the traditional Royal Thai massage (1,300-1,600 baht) left me feeling rejuvenated and stress-free for days after my treatment.

“I can tell if someone is stressed by using my sense of touch, and by asking customers how they are feeling,” says Paranee.

“Since [I was] 18, I wanted to come and work as a therapist in Bangkok. My job at Spa Cenvaree provides good security and helps to support my family in Lampang,” she said.

“The most challenging part is travelling to work. Transportation is difficult. I catch a motorbike taxi to and from the spa every day, unaccompanied.’’

Paranee sees her family only about twice a year, which she finds hard. But the young woman plans to continue working in Bangkok and building her skills in massage therapy, saying she is always training in order to improve her craft and help her loved ones.

Paranee and her blind colleague, Decha Phoosiriand, specialise in Royal Thai, traditional foot and aromatherapy massages. The spa’s other therapists provide a variety of treatments and special packages, ranging from anti-ageing facials and anti-cellulite treatments to four-hands and Shirobhyanga Indian head massages.

Spa Cenvaree is located on the ground floor of the Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao, Bangkok. Email spacenvareecglb@chr.co.th or call 02-541-1234, ext 4292 and 4567.