A Thai masseuse from Nakhon Si Thammarat has won a gold medal in the oil massage category at the Wellness World Championship 2026 in Bangkok. Soraya Thaoram secured the top prize during the international competition held on 18 May at TK Palace & Convention Hotel on Chaeng Watthana Road.
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The event attracted around 200 contestants from 22 countries competing across four categories: facial massage, Thai massage, oil massage and foot massage. Soraya, from Koh Thuat subdistrict in Pak Phanang district, received widespread congratulations from local residents after bringing home the gold medal for Thailand.
Organisers described the Wellness World Championship 2026 as one of the year’s major international wellness competitions. The event showcased massage and spa skills from competitors around the world and highlighted the growing profile of the wellness industry in Thailand and internationally.
The competition was judged by a panel of 30 experts from Thailand and abroad. Soraya was trained by Kanticha Rodbut, a massage instructor from Thung Song district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, who helped prepare her for the international event.
The victory has drawn praise in Soraya’s home province, where residents celebrated her achievement as a source of local pride. Her success also reinforced Thailand’s long-standing reputation for traditional massage and wellness services on the international stage.
Khaosod reported that Thailand’s massage and spa sector remains an important part of the country’s tourism and wellness industries. International competitions such as the Wellness World Championship provide an opportunity for Thai practitioners to demonstrate their skills against global competitors and promote professional standards within the sector.
Picture courtesy of Khaosod
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 24 May 2026