THAILAND’S spa and massage service operators
are being urged to get ready to adhere to standards covering five areas listed
under the 2016 Premises Used for Health Operation Act, which goes into effect
on September 27.
Under the
Act, therapists will be required to obtain a professional certificate and
register with the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS).
Though
new businesses can apply for licences immediately once the law goes into
effect, old businesses can do so within 180 days, DHSS deputy chief Dr
Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn said. The licence would be valid for five years
and require a yearly fee, he added.
Apart
from getting registered with the agency, all establishments would be required
to clearly display their licence as well as a full list of therapists/service
providers, he added.
Thongchai
made these comments at a recent forum in Bangkok that was attended by 300 spa
operators. The event was held to explain required standards based on five
elements: venue; operator; service providers; services and products; and safety
measures.
Thongchai
explained that the new law would control three types of health service
establishments.
Firstly,
spa businesses that promote health by providing hydrotherapy and body massage
along with at least three additional services such as sauna, aerobics, fitness
or hot-stone massage.
The
second category covers establishments that cover health or cosmetics services
such as facial massage or facial mask service.
The third
type covers establishments providing health-related services that are not meant
for curing or treating illnesses, such as nursing homes for the elderly.
The
business operators must register and obtain a licence from the DHSS, he said.
This would provide consumer protection, give credibility to the establishment
and boost the country's competitiveness in the health service sector at the
international level, he added.
So far,
this year, 1,605 health service establishments nationwide have been certified
by the DHSS, including 253 in Bangkok.
About 67
per cent of these provide health massage services and 32 per cent provide spa
services.
Last year,
the Commerce Ministry's Office of Service Trade and Trade Logistics reported
that many foreigners used spa services in Thailand, generating Bt30 billion
income, up sharply from Bt25 billion in 2013, Thongchai said. He added that
once the law and strict controls were in place, people's confidence in Thailand
would rise even further.
Dr
Pattharapol Jeungsomjetpaisan, chief of the Division of Health Service
Establishment, said the division would hold meetings with all related parties
next month to explain the new laws. These meetings will be held in Chiang Mai
on June 3, Phuket on June 7, Chon Buri on June 14 and Khon Kaen on June 20.
The
examination of licences held by health spas will be conducted in November, he
said, adding additional information can be sought from (02) 193 7000 extensions
18408 and 18411.
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