Wat Pho or the Temple of The Reclining Buddha is Thailand's first open university under the King patronage. In the old days, numerous fields of knowledge and technology were gathered at Wat Pho such as history, arts, culture, religion, literature, medical science, pharmacy and physical therapy.

Popular among foreign visitors, the Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School (Wat Po TTW) was opened since 1955. At the beginning, the school offers 4 basic courses of Thai pharmacy, Thai medication, Thai midwifery and Thai massage. Over the past decades, a large number of Thais and foreigners have attended and passed these courses and later employed in health, massage and spa industries all over the world. Treatments offered such as Thai massage and foot massage are among one of the most well-known treatments in Thailand.

In 2007, the School launched a new campus just outside Bangkok called Chetawan Health School comprising school, clinic, hostel and factory for Thai herbal medicine within the same compound. Students can live on campus and experience a local custom and hospitality on field trip to various historic and cultural places around the area on Sunday. A course in Spa will be offered in the near future.

The Address of the new Campus is 87 Moo 1 Salaya-Nakornchaisri Road, Putthamonthon, Nakornprathom Province. Tel (+66)34-365-001 To 4.

Getting There:
Wat Pho is located in the Banglampu area of Bangkok or the “Old City”. Taxi from central Bangkok will cost about 80 Baht. Or, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to the Tha Thien pier and walk through the market up the short street. Wat Pho is directly across the intersection on your right. On the left is the white wall of the Grand Palace.

The following buses will also take you to Wat Pho:

Bus Number: 1, 35, 44, 47, 123, 201

Air-conditioned Bus Number: 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 25, 39, 44, 82

Entrance Fee:
Visitors must pay 50 Baht (1.50 USD). Prices for a massage at the temple are 220 Baht (6.58 USD) for 30 minutes, or 360 Baht (10.76 USD) for one hour massage or a 45 minute foot massage.