Theerasak “Thien” Prasanpim, 34, is one of the founders of a spa by men and for men, called Candle T Spa (18/457 Rama 4 City Court Bldg., Rama 4 Rd., 02-252-0283). He tells us about the life of a masseur and the unique therapy he performs at Candle T Spa Plus (a few shops down from Candle T).

How did you become a masseur?

I like to make people feel relaxed. I really have massage in my heart. I was trained by the Banyan Tree, where I stayed for two years. Then I trained staff in Koh Phi Phi before working in Hong Kong and Bangkok. One day, a foreign investor invited me to be a partner in the spa that now bears my name.

How can you spot a good masseur?

You have to start young, at 18. Looks are very important. Customers expect cute masseurs. But then the masseurs have to be keen, to like learning.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s happened to you during a massage?

It’s not a good idea to discuss that. What goes on in the massage room is private. If you gossip about a customer, he might find out.

What’s the “Total Well-Being Massage” you do at Candle T Spa Plus?

It’s mostly for older men who have trouble getting erections. I learned it from a master at Banyan Tree. They didn’t offer it there, but to understand how blood flows through the body, you must understand how it flows everywhere, including through the groin region. You massage the veins from the head down to the groin, then the feet, up the legs and to the groin area again. As you massage the arteries, you unclog them.

Do customers ever get a “happy ending”?

We’re a spa. We focus on massage. But, to be honest, sometimes customers will ask for it because they need it to be fully relaxed. We don’t see it as a sexual act; it’s just an extension of the massage. But customers are not allowed to touch us. If they do, we just tell them, “You cannot touch me.” They usually understand. Groping your masseur breaks his concentration and it creates a bad atmosphere.

How much does a masseur make?

It can be B15,000 a month at the lowest end, but it’s more like B20-30,000 on average. And the sky’s the limit if you’re really talented. The downside is that past the age of 35, you need to get a new job.