We tried a posh cannabis massage treatment at Mandarin Oriental and we were so happy and high

ICYMI, Thailand has legalized the use of cannabis, and has become the very first country in Asia to decriminalize the controversial plant! Soon after it was legalized, many businesses began using and infusing CBD, the active ingredient in cannabis, into their products and services, from eats and drinks to spa treatments.

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is the latest establishment to take on the hype. The luxe hotel’s spa has launched Cannabis Relax and Restore Massage, a new treatment that focuses on  104 identified cannabinoids and its health benefits (with collaboration with Sawasdee Clinic), such as relieving muscle fatigue, promoting calmness, and promoting a state of relaxation. Cannabis is used in almost every element of the treatment, from the massage oil, to the warm tea, to the inhaler, to the poultice.

We had the privilege of trying the Cannabis Relax and Restore Massage firsthand. First off, we were taken on a brief boat trip to The Oriental Spa, which is located on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. It took less than five minutes, but the trip made it feel like you were about to leave the crazy world behind for an indulgent experience in a hidden sanctuary in a hundred-year-old Thai teakwood house.

Stepping into the spa, we were welcomed by amiable staff, who quickly escorted us to the lounge area where we answered a questionnaire on our health and preferences. Afterwards, we were led to one of the five exclusive spa suites.

After changing into a plush robe, we were served a warm tea brewed with cannabis leaves, supposedly to help us get into a calmer state. While we were sipping our tea, our feet were scrubbed clean with salt, and softened with milk and fragrant rose petals.

What followed next was the actual massage—two hours worth of physical and mental relaxation. At the start of the massage, the therapist gives you a cannabis-infused inhaler, meant to heighten your relaxed state, before kneading the soles of your feet. A hot herbal compress ball is also used on different parts of the body to relieve muscle tension.

Throughout the two-hour session, it was obvious that the therapists know what they are doing, giving extra attention to sore parts of our body. This reinforced why the spa at Mandarin Oriental is one of the best in the city.

The massage wrapped up with the sound of a bell. It can be said that the massage is nothing short of perfection. The Oriental Spa’s Cannabis Relax and Restore Massage successfully elevates the use of cannabis, from what some see as a distasteful hedonistic practice to a highly therapeutic treatment.

Mandarin Oriental has more surprises for guests staying overnight after the treatment—a light meal cooked with, you guessed it, cannabis! The hotel serves cannabis-focused items such as iced cannabis tea, cannabis-infused kombucha, cannabis-marinated ceviche, cannabis falafel, hemp seed popcorn, and a miang kham bite with kratom.

The Cannabis Relax and Restore Massage at The Oriental Spa isn priced at B6,500++ per person, with a special offer priced at B4,500++ available until June 30, 2022. Add B2,000++ for a cannabis-inspired light meal that you can enjoy in your room.

For more information, contact 0 2659 9000 or MOBKK-spa@mohg.com.