One core element of Ayurveda is the theory of Tridosha, the three biological humours (Dosha). Vata, the humour of the air is the force that moves everything. Pitta, the humour of the fire is the power that changes and digests everything. Kapha, is the humour of the water, the power that holds things together gives them substance and offers support.
Thai massage is an integral part of traditional Thai-medicine, which was influenced by Ayurveda. Traditional Thai-medicine, which was practised already before the Sukhothai period (ca. 1238 to 1377) and has been developed further up to the present.
The Thai medicine has not only been influenced by China and India, but also by Arabic medical knowledge. Under the rule of the Khmer king Chaivoraman there where already 102 hospitals.
Public pharmacies and drug stores are known already from the Ayutthaya-period (1350 to 1767). The destruction of Ayutthaya by Burma in the year 1767 resulted in a grave loss of medical knowledge.
Under the government of king Rama V. the first medical textbook, the first national formulary, as well as a traditional Thai medicine textbook for students were published. In the 20th century the traditional methods of curing got neglected due to the arrival of western medicine.
