Thailand
Business license + therapist registrationThailand regulates massage mainly at the business level under the Health Establishment Act B.E. 2559 (2016). Massage for health, massage for beauty and spa businesses need a health establishment license; spas need a licensed operator; and every therapist must be at least 18, complete a recognized course and be registered as a service provider. Massage to treat illness is Thai traditional medicine and needs a separate practitioner license.
| Regulation | Business license + therapist registration |
|---|---|
| Credential | Registered service provider (āļāļđāđāđāļŦāđāļāļĢāļīāļāļēāļĢ) at a licensed health establishment |
| Minimum education | 150 hours |
| Exam | Completion of a DHSS-recognized course (e.g., 150-hour massage for health); spa operators pass a DHSS exam |
| Renewal | Establishment license valid 5 years; annual fees |
| Continuing education | Check with DHSS |
| Regulator | Department of Health Service Support (āļāļĢāļĄāļŠāļāļąāļāļŠāļāļļāļāļāļĢāļīāļāļēāļĢāļŠāļļāļāļ āļēāļ), Ministry of Public Health; Provincial Public Health Offices outside Bangkok |
Notes: Operating without a license: up to 6 months imprisonment, a fine up to 50,000 baht, or both. Thai massage work is reserved for Thai nationals; foreign-majority businesses may need a Foreign Business License. Client health data is sensitive personal data under the PDPA B.E. 2562 (2019). Course hours and fees can change; confirm with DHSS or your Provincial Public Health Office.
Confirm with the official regulator â
Sources
- Department of Health Service Support (DHSS)
- Thai Government Information Center: health establishment license procedure
- Attori Law: Wellness business in Thailand
- Sherwe: Massage shop license guide (Thai)
- PDPC Thailand (Personal Data Protection)
Last checked: October 24, 2026. Educational summary only, not legal advice.