LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST · DHSS REGISTERED · BANG TAO, PHUKET
Licensed massage therapist in Phuket — DHSS-registered, certified, Bang Tao
Both therapists at Woravalan Thai Massage are registered with Thailand's Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) — the Thai equivalent of a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) designation in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. This page explains what that means and how to verify it.
Woravalan Khollum · 25 years of certified practice
Nami · 10+ years of certified practice
DHSS registered · both therapists
Thai Traditional Massage Society · 500+ hours
25 years combined practice · Amanpuri trained
Bang Tao, Phuket · Private studio
Massage regulation in Thailand — what the DHSS registration means
In Thailand, massage therapy is a regulated profession governed by the Health Establishment Act (พระราชบัญญัติสถานประกอบการเพื่อสุขภาพ). The regulatory body is the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) — กรมสนับสนุนบริการสุขภาพ — a division of the Ministry of Public Health.
To legally practise therapeutic massage in Thailand, a therapist must obtain a professional certificate from the DHSS. This requires:
- Completion of a minimum 800-hour training programme in massage from an accredited institution (the Thai Traditional Massage Society curriculum is among the most widely recognised)
- Passing a standardised examination covering anatomy, physiology, technique and professional ethics
- Registration with the DHSS and issuance of a licence number
- Renewal of the licence on a specified schedule
Unlicensed massage is illegal in Thailand. Licensed establishments are required to display therapist credentials on the premises. This regulatory framework is directly comparable to — and in terms of training hours often more rigorous than — the licensing systems operated in most Western countries:
Country
Title
Min. Hours
Thailand
DHSS Certificate
800 hours
United States
LMT
500–1,000 hours
Canada
RMT
2,200 hours
United Kingdom
No mandatory reg.
Varies
Australia
No mandatory reg.
Varies
In the United States, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) sets the standard most LMT licences are based on. The DHSS standard in Thailand covers the same core competencies: anatomy, physiology, assessment, technique and professional ethics.
The therapists at Woravalan — credentials in detail
Licence numbers are available on request and displayed in the studio in accordance with the Health Establishment Act.
WORAVALAN KHOLLUM
Primary certification:
Thai Traditional Massage Society (สมาคมนวดแผนไทย) — 500+ documented training hours
- Additional certifications:
- Sports massage and deep tissue therapeutic technique
- Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
- Prenatal massage technique
Professional registration: DHSS-licensed
Years in practice: 25
Previous positions: Amanpuri Resort, Pansea Beach, Phuket · InterContinental Samui
Languages: Thai · English · Russian
NAMI
Primary certification:
Thai Traditional Massage Society
Professional registration: DHSS-licensed
Years in practice: 10+
Scope of practice: Traditional Thai massage · Oil and aroma · Foot reflexology · Deep tissue
Languages: Thai
The Thai Traditional Massage Society — the training standard
The Thai Traditional Massage Society (สมาคมนวดแผนไทย) is Thailand's primary professional body for traditional massage training and certification. Its curriculum is recognised as the national standard for traditional Thai massage and forms the foundation of DHSS certification requirements.
Training under the Society curriculum covers:
- Traditional Thai massage technique — the four positions, energy line pathways (Sen), compression, assisted stretching and joint mobilisation
- Anatomy and physiology as applied to massage — musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, contraindications
- Assessment and consultation — identifying conditions, medical history, adapting technique
- Professional ethics — scope of practice, client consent, record-keeping
- Specialty modules — sports massage, lymphatic drainage, prenatal, herbal compress (depending on the certification path)
Woravalan Khollum completed more than 500 documented hours under this curriculum. She is a member of the Society and holds current DHSS registration.
How to verify a licensed massage therapist in Thailand
If you want to verify a massage therapist's credentials before booking anywhere in Thailand:
- Ask to see the DHSS licence
Every licensed therapist holds a DHSS professional certificate with their name, licence number and expiry date. A legitimate studio will show it on request without hesitation. - Check the establishment licence
In addition to individual therapist licences, the studio itself must hold a health establishment permit from the DHSS. This is displayed on the premises. - Check the training institution
The Thai Traditional Massage Society, Wat Pho School (the royal temple school in Bangkok), Chiang Mai Traditional Massage School and a handful of other institutions are the most widely recognised in Thailand. Training from an unaccredited school does not qualify for DHSS registration.
At Woravalan:
Both therapists hold current DHSS registration.
The studio holds a health establishment permit.
Both credentials are displayed in the studio and available on request before your booking.
If you have specific questions about our credentials before booking, contact us via LINE or WhatsApp — we will share the licence numbers directly.
Who asks about licensed massage therapists — and why it matters
The question "is this therapist licensed?" comes most commonly from three groups:
People from the United States
LMT licensing is taken seriously in the US — massage without a licence is illegal in most states, and clients are used to checking credentials. If you are American and want to confirm you are booking a licensed therapist in Phuket, the answer is yes. Both therapists at Woravalan are DHSS-licensed, which is the Thai equivalent of your LMT.
People who have had bad experiences elsewhere
Unlicensed massage is widespread in tourist areas of Thailand. The difference between a licensed therapist and an unlicensed one is not always visible in the room — but it is significant in technique, assessment and the ability to identify when massage is contraindicated.
People with specific medical concerns
If you have a condition — pregnancy, recent surgery, a neurological issue, a cardiovascular condition — the question of whether your therapist is qualified to assess whether massage is appropriate for you matters. A DHSS-licensed therapist with additional specialist training in prenatal massage, lymphatic drainage or sports technique is a different practitioner from someone who completed a weekend course.
At Woravalan, we do not perform massage when it is not appropriate. If you tell your therapist about your condition and she advises you to consult a doctor first, that is a licensed therapist doing her job correctly.
Questions about licensed massage in Thailand
Book with a licensed massage therapist in Bang Tao
DHSS-registered · both therapists · private studio
Thai massage · oil massage · deep tissue · sports
Lymphatic drainage · pregnancy · herbal compress · hot stone
Head · neck · facial · relax
How to find us in Cherngtalay, Bang Tao
White two-storey building next to [FOOD BAR NAME]. 500 metres from Boat Avenue.
Laguna Phuket — 5 min · Bang Tao Beach — 5 min
Boat Avenue — 6 min walk · Airport — 25 min
Woravalan Thai Massage
[FULL ADDRESS]
Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Open daily 10:00–24:00 · Licence: [XX-XXXX]