On February 12, 2025, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, met with the Association Française Nuad Thai & Spa (AFNTS), an organization that promotes and elevates the standards of Thai massage and spas in France, along with Mr. Saran Charoensuwan, Ambassador to Paris, France, Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Sakdinart Sonthisakyotin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Peerapol Peeranon, Advisor (responsible for Consular Affairs). Ms. Sasima Park, President of the Association Française Nuad Thai & Spa, and executives welcomed the delegation at Baan Thai Spa in Paris, France.
Mr. Phiphat said that Working as a masseuse in France requires strict compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Although France does not have a specific massage license, having a Thai labour standard certificate or passing an accepted training program will be very beneficial. It will increase credibility and job opportunities abroad, including in France. For the shortage of masseuses in France, he asked to inform specific needs to the Department of Employment through the embassy so that it could find personnel and send information for training in work skills and specific languages that could be used immediately. It is also recommended that massage courses incorporate BCG to create added value, such as herbal compress massage using coconut shells along with local herbs, adding value from all-natural ingredients, which can immediately increase income by more than 50%. It also recommends additional soft skill careers, such as food and Muay Thai, for which the Ministry of Labour can issue certificates for opening gyms and teaching Muay Thai abroad.
Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, said that the Ministry of Labour, through the Department of Skill Development, has a mission to develop labour skills and assess skill standards in the country and abroad in the fields of massage and spa. Those interested in testing their spa knowledge and skills can contact the Department of Skill Development to request a national labour skill standard test. The department can also be contacted for sending workers to obtain legal work permits and take care of income and welfare to meet the standards set by the laws of each country.
Ms. Sasima Park, President of the Association Française Nuad Thai & Spa, thanked the government for giving importance to businesses that promote the identity of Thailand abroad. She thanked the Minister of Labour and the executives who came to visit and talk to understand the problems and give advice for the Thai massage business to move forward sustainably. Currently, Thai massage workers in Paris and all over France are very popular. UNESCO Paris has registered Thai massage as a cultural heritage of humanity. Each package starts at 100 Euros (approximately 3,500 Baht). There are foot massages, Thai massages, and spas. Currently, there is a need for over 100 workers with Thai massage skills and trainers. The starting salary for massage workers is 1,824 Euros (approximately 64,000 Baht), excluding tips and overtime pay. They work 5 days/week according to French law. They also provide social security and health insurance.
“Ms. Chutatip Kraipul, 40 years old, from Bangkok, has worked as a masseuse in France for 3 years and has been able to send 50,000 Baht back home per month to her family in Thailand,” a Thai massage worker concluded.
