Free Thai Massage: Phuket prepares to set world record

PHUKET: A total of 584 pairs of hands will be working together tomorrow at Kata Beach in Phuket’s attempt to set the world record for the most people simultaneously performing Thai massage.

The current record stands at 232 pair, set on March 20 last year by Tourism Victoria Australia.

Phuket’s attempt will more than double the record, but the digits have their own special meaning.

“The reason why we have 584 pair is that the first digit, 5, is the birthday [December 5] of His Majesty The King, while the two last digits, 84, will be the age of His Majesty this year,” explained Kritpanat Patwarasit.

The “Nuad [massage] Thai for World Record” event, a joint effort by the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO), Karon Municipality, the Phuket Spa Association, the Kata-Karon Hotel Association and other organizations, will be held throughout the day, but centered around the record attempt between 10am and midday.

Mr Kritpanat, managing director of event organizer ND Productions, said that hotel guests in Kata and Karon will be the lucky ones receiving the free massages and that tents were prepared in case of rain.

“We have all the therapists required and 80 per cent of the recipients have been found. The massage therapists are from spas and hotels throughout Phuket,” one health official told the Phuket Gazette.

“Anyone interested in participating is very welcome. All you have to do is come to the event and join in,” he added.

The event will then continue at Jungceylon at 5pm with health exhibitions presented by about 40 spas from Phuket, Trang, Krabi, Phang Nga and Ranong.

The schedule for the day’s events is as follows:

Morning, Kata Beach

Evening, Hall 1, Jungceylon

— Janpen Upatising