I just go to the ones in the large shopping centres - there are two in Melbourne Central which is the middle of the city, but I do not think they are Thai, more like Chinese.
I find them very good most of the time. They are at and Bourke St. I have been to the Bourke St and the massage was good, firm and the premises were very clean. The so called 'massage' stores that you find in the shopping centres are not real masseuse's. In fact, their lack of proper training can be quite dangerous. Stick with a proper masseuse and avoid these imitation shops.
They're only good for a general, surface rub but definitely no good if you're going to an iron man comp. You need to be careful with 'Thai massages' as you could end up with an escort or are real Thai massage which is more manipulative than muscular. The lady I go to does clinical, sports or relaxation massages.
I go to her as I have back issues. She is heavy handed sometimes too heavy handed - you have to tell her to go lighter! Given the simple fact that these so called Thai massage places are opening left and right like a rash we have had 3 open in a short stretch of Elsternwick in 6 months - they seem to be the 'business of the hour' - means that realistically they can't be all most qualified masseurs.
Most look like uni students that have been given a few lessons and a book to read. Get a proper sports therapy masseuse who won't damage your back. A good Thai massage is wonderful; a bad one can leave you same same but sore or just sore and twisted.
