the evolution - continued - page 2 The founder of "Nuad Thai Phaen Boran", known today as Thai massage, was Shivaka Kumar Bacca. In the pali scriptures of Thervada Buddhism he was noted as a contemporary and personal physician of the Magadha King Bimbisara - who later became the Buddha. It is now the year 2549 in Thailand and the presence of ancient wisdom can still be found in herbal treatments, steam baths and massage. It is a science that is still alive and vibrant. Unfortunately, many of the original texts were destroyed when the Burmese invaded the old capitol of Ayutthya in 1767. Even more sad, is that the sacred healing techniques have been flaunted as something totally different in the eyes of the world. With thinly masked prostitution in massage parlors, claiming to deliver a "Thai Massage". Substandard massages are offered at the beaches and in some high-end establishments. Tourists flocking have caused there to be numerous "schools" offering short courses without proper instruction in theory or language.