Massage gets a rub down: Thailand cracks whip on shady parlours
The Thai government is cracking down on dodgy massage parlours that are tarnishing the reputation of nuad Thai, as the industry faces a shortage of 50,000 skilled practitioners.
The Ministry of Public Health is stepping in to restore the craft’s credibility, amid concerns that inconsistent standards and seedy businesses have led to Thai massage being wrongly linked to brothels.
Adviser to the Minister Kosit Suvinijjit stressed that only certified practitioners should be allowed to use the term nuad Thai, which was recognised by UNESCO in 2019 as an intangible cultural heritage.
“Thai massage is a noble profession and should be respected.”
Kosit added a warning that the ministry will take legal action against businesses falsely claiming to offer traditional services.
To tackle the crisis, the government has launched the Skilled Local Massage Practitioner programme, with a pilot scheme for 100 trainees to preserve centuries-old techniques passed down through families and temples.
A tiered certification system will also be introduced, ranging from 60-hour beginner training to 800-hour advanced levels, ensuring that practitioners can boost their skills and earning potential, reported Bangkok Post.
To further professionalise the industry, service providers will adjust pricing based on training levels, ensuring that better-qualified therapists earn higher wages.
A star-rating system will also be rolled out, helping customers identify legitimate therapists and guaranteeing that only properly trained professionals get recognition.
The ministry also plans to train 20,000 new specialists in areas like muscle pain relief, frozen shoulder therapy, and stroke recovery, boosting job opportunities while erasing the sleazy stigma surrounding Thai massage.
With stricter rules and a crackdown on shady operators, the government hopes to restore Thai massage to its former glory—one authentic rub at a time.
Not all massage parlours in Thailand are dodgy and not all visits to a police station in Thailand are daunting unless you’ve committed a crime, filed a complaint or asked an officer to find your missing cat.
But at Nongtrud Police Station, in Mueang district in Trang, visitors are greeted with a massage.
Police Lieutenant Pakronkrit Thongsuk, a professionally-trained Thai massage practitioner, offers visitors a soothing massage to help relieve their stress levels.
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