The village of Ban Rai Kong Khing in Chiang Mai's Hang Dong district offers tourists an authentic experience of local life and, most notably, a unique and rare type of massage: fire massage. The Ban Rai Kong Khing community is a cooperative enterprise where all the families work together to meet each other's needs. Tourists can stay overnight, spend the day exploring the community and its activities, or simply enjoy a massage by an open fire. Popular activities in Ban Rai Kong Khing include cooking classes. Visitors can learn to prepare local dishes such as Khai Pam, a specialty of eggs cooked in banana leaves on a stove. Another specialty is Khanom Jok, a rice flour dessert filled with sweet coconut, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed. However, the village is most famous for its Yam Khang massages, also known as fire massages. The Yam Khang Massage: The most famous attraction in Ban Rai Kong Khing is the unique massage called Yam Khang, a traditional therapy of the Lanna (the ancient kingdom in northern Thailand). The Thai word "yam" means to walk or tread, and "khang" means plow. The symbolism of the Yam Khang massage lies in the fact that, like a plow, it turns the earth, thus eliminating negative influences in life and body. Yam Khang is known for its soothing effects on muscle, tendon, joint, and bone pain. Only a few massage therapists have mastered this art form. In Ban Rai Kong Khing, there are three. They use plai water (a root with healing properties) and black sesame oil. They soak their feet in these liquids before passing them over an iron plow blade heated with glowing coals and massaging the muscles with their feet. What is particularly impressive about the Yam Khang massage is when the oil is ignited after being run over the masseur's feet, producing tall, small flames.

Entry to the village is free. A one-hour Yam Khang massage costs 1,000 THB. Walk-ins are not possible at Ban Rai Kong Khing. You must book in advance by calling 061 1959 551. You will likely need assistance from a Thai speaker during the call. Ask your hotel reception to make a reservation for you. This is not a spa. Clothing is not provided, so I recommend bringing special clothing for the massage as well as a change of clothes. You will usually need to be shirtless and have your legs uncovered for the massage (I only wore shorts). Also, bring a towel to wipe off the oil afterward. The massages do not take place in an intimate setting but on an open-air platform visible to everyone. Advance booking is also required for other activities, especially cooking classes, but only for groups. So, if you are traveling alone or as a couple, you can only come for a massage.

To my knowledge, there's no easy way to reach Ban Rai Kong Khing by public transport. You'll need to rent a red car, take a tuk-tuk, or, like I did, order a ride through Grab and negotiate a price with the driver to take you there, wait for your massage, and then bring you back to Chiang Mai. Be careful, though; few people know about this place, so you'll need to provide the GPS coordinates (which is why Grab seems like the best option). Ban Rai Kong Khing is 25 kilometers south of Chiang Mai.

How to get there

How do you get to the village of Ban Rai Kong Khing, where you can enjoy the traditional fire massage (Yam Khang massage)? As far as I know, Ban Rai Kong Khing isn't easily accessible by public transport. So you have to rent a red car, take a tuk-tuk, or, like I did, order a vehicle through Grab and then negotiate a price with the driver to take you there, wait for the massage, and then bring you back to Chiang Mai. Note: Few people know about this place, so you absolutely must provide the GPS coordinates (which is why Grab seems like the best option). Ban Rai Kong Khing is located 25 kilometers south of Chiang Mai.