National —
On December 9th, 2024, Mrs. Nantawan Chutiphongwiwet, an advisor to the Lanna Thai Massage Entrepreneurs Association, addressed concerns following the death of a luk thung singer in Udon Thani.
The singer, Chayada Prao-hom, reportedly fell ill after a Thai massage session involving neck manipulation, eventually becoming bedridden and passing away.
This incident, alongside the recent death of a Singaporean tourist after a massage in Phuket, has drawn widespread attention.
Nantawan emphasized that certified Thai massage establishments adhere to strict safety standards, with no inclusion of potentially dangerous techniques such as neck manipulation in professional training.
She urged customers to choose certified massage parlors under public health regulation, noting that Chiang Mai’s massage industry plays a key role in the wellness sector and maintains high standards.
Currently, Chiang Mai has approximately 9,000-10,000 registered massage therapists, but demand exceeds supply due to a tourism rebound, according to Nantawan. This has led to concerns over unqualified or illegal therapists.
Business operators are closely monitoring the situation, with a focus on improving customer health screenings and ensuring proper safety protocols are upheld to protect the reputation of Thai massage services, concluded Nantawan.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
