A Thai traditional massage association has appealed to the Minister of Public Health to address issues with massage therapist registration and foreign workers illegally entering the profession.
Pitak Yotha, president of the Charawi Association for the Conservation of Thai Massage (CCM), submitted a letter to Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin outlining concerns about lengthy registration processes and foreign workers taking jobs reserved for Thais.
The association is calling for stricter enforcement and penalties for violations.
Pitak also emphasized the need to promote Thai massage as a soft power, highlighting its cultural significance and economic potential. However, he expressed concern that Thai masseuses, who are legally licensed and qualified, are facing stricter regulations compared to their foreign counterparts.
“To become a legally recognized masseuse in Thailand, one must complete 150 hours of training and then apply for a license from the Department of Health Service Support,” explained Pitak.
“While the process should take no more than two weeks, many applicants have reported waiting months, and some have even been asked for bribes to expedite the process,” he claimed.
The association president noted that the massage industry provides a significant source of income for many Thais, especially those who are unemployed. However, he estimated that only about 370,000 of the 680,000 masseuses nationwide are officially registered.
“We have found that a large number of Laotian, Cambodian, and Vietnamese nationals are working as masseuses in various parts of Thailand, including popular tourist destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen,” he said. “It’s unfair that foreigners can easily find work in this industry while Thai masseuses face numerous bureaucratic hurdles.”
The association is urging the Ministry of Public Health to amend regulations that allow foreign workers to easily bypass the system and to ensure that Thai masseuses are not unfairly targeted.
In response to the petition, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin promised to address the issue within two months and pledged to support Thai masseuses. However, he reiterated the importance of the massage registration process for maintaining quality standards. (TNA)
