THAILAND - Thailand yesterday set a world record when 641
masseurs simultaneously practised holistic head-to-toe Thai massage
on 641 people for 12 minutes.
The move is aimed at promoting Thai massage and luring foreign
tourists with the promise of traditional medical services.
Guinness World Records certified the record, which was set
during an event held as part of the Thailand Medical Hub Expo 2012
at Nonthaburi province's Impact Muang Thong Thani.
The previous record was set in Australia in 2010, when 263
masseurs kneaded flesh simultaneously for five minutes.
"I was happy that I was able to do it," 87-year-old female
masseur Pornpimol Panyawut said after participating in the
record-setting massage.
Pornpimol has practised Thai massage in the southern province of
Chumpon for 57 years. Her father taught her the skill when she was
young.
"Thai massage is our heritage and we have to pass it on to other
generations," she said.
Thai spa and massage services are world renowned and generate
Bt12 billion in revenue per year.
There are about 1,436 spas certified by the Public Health
Ministry, which will be classified into three internationally
recognised levels: platinum, gold and silver. Now there are
certified up to 33 international spas and there are certified 400
hours healthy massage up to 50,000 masseurs.
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