Unhappy ending for Thai massage as government cracks down on sex services

The Thai government is cracking down on massage shops offering sex services to clean up the country's notorious image.

Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health, said on August 1 that authorities are aiming to stamp out the famous 'happy endings' in massage shops in order to promote traditional Thai massage or 'Nuad Thai' as a wholesome soft power.

He said unlicensed shops and those that offer illegal sex services will be targetted to protect legitimate businesses.

The health minister vowed to address the issue within two months following a complaint from a Thai traditional massage association urging the government to remove unregistered foreign masseuses in Thailand.

Phithak Yotha, president of the Charawi Association for the Preservation of Thai Massage, said: '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.

'It's unfair that foreigners can easily find work in this industry while Thai masseuses face numerous bureaucratic hurdles.'

The association wanted to simplify the registration for becoming massage therapists, slamming the red tape and lengthy procedures required to obtain a license.

They also called for more stringent regulations as many brothels in the country were disguised as massage shops.

Phithak said: 'We would like to have stricter law enforcement to eradicate these kinds of businesses as they damage the reputation and image of Thai massage. If you want to use the word massage to advertise in front your shop, you must ask for permission from officials. Otherwise, the word must be omitted.'

Health Minister Somsak said: 'The ministry is now improving the registration process while the Department of Health Service Support is in the process of developing a training course. The important thing is to be careful not to covertly sell Thai massage as sexual services. We plan to finish the process in about two months.'

He added that the crackdown was in line with the government's broader plan to brand Thailand as a health and wellness hub.

In Thailand, 'happy endings' are usually offered mid-way through a massage. Some workers may try to charge as much as 1,000 Baht but others perform the service for around 500 Baht or less.