News Forum - MOPH’s plan to rub out illicit activities in Thai massage shops

[Thaiger]

The Minister of Public Health (MOPH) plans to clean up traditional Thai massage shops after 75% were found to secretly offer sex services. The Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, stated he aims to clean up the seedy side of the industry and promote Thai massage as a soft power. The President of the Charawi Association for … …

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[Ramanathan.P]

These two activities are twine like one strong powerful soft power in the tourism industry, How are they going to untwine it? Are they going to retrain all the masseues by telling them not to put their hands at the gorin are of the customer while massagging and asking the questions..."are you ok?"...

[ChrisS]

"

The minister stated that all massage parlours in Thailand must be free of sexual services.

Somsak threatened to close down all shops secretly operating as brothels. He hopes to clean up all massage parlours within two months before the next fiscal year begins."

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Oh look a flying pig! While he is at it why not go the whole hog and close down all the 'girly' bars which are also thinly veiled brothels with their 'bar fines' for take aways? Of course it will be down to the Royal Thai Police to enforce this and that will do away with all their 'tea money' so not a prayer of enforcing it.

 

[Guest1]

So all fish bowl massages parlors are in danger  of a shutdown, soon?

Will never happen!

[NonThaiKiwi]

I think some of these 'authorities' need a real good serving of reality soup. 

 

Being a non welfare state, people will use whatever means to make a living.  If they decriminalised the oldest profession known to man, life would possibly be easier for these people. 

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Hell they might even end up getting taxes from the establishments instead of brown paper bags. 

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But TIT,  where nothing happens quick unless there is a pay off. 

[bushav8r]

The hub of rub-and-tugs.  Whats not to like?  The massage lady can make more in 30 seconds than her daily salary.  The customer is happy with the ending.

[Grumpish]

Reminds me of my first time of time in Thailand - I wanted a massage because my back was killing me after an overnight bus journey from Bangkok to  Chiang  Mai, The first sight that greeted me when I got to the place that had been suggested by the hotel was the "goldfish bowl", and i like was like "no, no. I want massage"  - which is when a small, sturdy girl peeked rather shyly from behind a curtain. by the time she had finished with me it felt good, like someone had given my aching spine a good shake.

[NonThaiKiwi]

Many moons ago I stopped by a shop on Beach Road in Pattaya.  All I wanted was a foot massage and I made that abundantly clear.  (Not just because my NZ girlfriend at that time was with me) 

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Well it was a darn good massage.  The fact that I hobbled back to the hotel didn't really paint a good picture but the next day was a different story. 

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Walking along felt like I was treading on clouds.  It was amazing.  What's the saying... No pain, no gain. 

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I haven't been back since and no doubt things have changed.  2 more NZ girlfriends by the wayside, and now in long term relationship with Thai woman (12 years and still going strong). 

 

Maybe next visa agency visit to Patts I'll have another wander down Beach Road!