Thai Massage College of Thailand to train therapists, boost income and tourism - The Star Online

[mnews]

BANGKOK, March 24 (Bernama) -- The Thai government has inaugurated the Thai Massage College of Thailand to elevate the profession, enhance its reputation, and improve the standards of Thai massage.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukul Prueksanusak said the government, through the Ministry of Public Health, established the "Thai Massage College of Thailand” to promote the profession, improve its international recognition, and align with policies aimed at increasing the health economy’s potential to position Thailand as a Medical and Wellness Hub.

"The Thai Massage College will serve as an agency with a status equivalent to a division, aiming to train and develop Thai massage therapists with specialised knowledge and skills in treating seven types of conditions: muscle and fascia pain, frozen shoulder, trigger finger, sciatica, herniated disc, hemiplegia and paralysis, and knee pain," he said in a statement posted on the Royal Thai Government’s website on Monday.

Anukul highlighted that the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is currently the principal agency responsible for developing the quality, standards, academic expertise, and services of Thai massage.

He explained that the Thai Massage College will provide training, certify the quality and standards of Thai massage, and serve as a hub for international knowledge exchange in Thai massage.

"The potential of individuals who have completed the 150-hour Thai Massage for Health course registered with the Department of Health Service Support will be further developed.

"Specialised training courses in Thai massage, focusing on seven symptom groups, will be conducted for 20,000 Thai medical assistants, with plans to train an additional 1,000 Thai massage instructors at the provincial level.

"These instructors will be drawn from the Thai massage teacher network and the Thai Massage for Health branch across 18 Thai medicine training centres and 38 universities offering Thai and applied Thai medicine programmes nationwide," he said.

Anukul emphasised that those who pass the evaluation process will gain not only specialised knowledge and skills but also the opportunity to receive higher remuneration.

"Most importantly, this initiative will enhance confidence in Thai massage as a reliable healthcare method, gaining acceptance both domestically and internationally. It will also add significant value to the country’s health economy, which is worth over 144 billion Baht," he said.

He added that interested individuals can apply for training through the Thai Massage College’s Facebook page. - Bernama