Nearly 200 Jomtien Beach massage therapists heard about Pattaya’s latest efforts to bring order to the freewheeling industry.
Manop Sakorn, chairman of the Jomtien Beach Thai Massage Club, briefed the 180 masseurs and masseuses on new policies covering both the “free” and “Jomtien” zones, in which therapists wear blue and pink shirts, respectively.
Manop said city hall is trying to standardize service fees and ensure the safety of customers, firstly by requiring that everyone working on the beach has been school certified to perform massage.
Authorities also are concerned about light-fingered masseuses, with Manop saying that customers have had trouble reporting thieves because of their inability to clearly identify who gave them the massage.
From now on, all those working in the zones must wear a uniform stating their name, phone number and city registration number.
The vendors also must charge set rates in an effort to prevent customers from being ripped off, and masseuses must avoid use of any drugs.
In the case of a dispute, Manop said, a vendor who gets violent with a customer will have his license revoked immediately. For other infractions – such as selling their uniform or allowing family members to take their place on the beach – masseuses are subject to two-week suspensions.
