FILE photo for reference only. Courtesy: Freepik

 

A holiday retreat in Thailand took a tragic turn when a Singaporean tourist and a Thai singer both reportedly died following massages in Phuket and Udon Thani.

 

Late last night, Lee Mun Tuck, a Singaporean tourist enjoying his stay in Phuket, met an unexpected fate. After a massage at a local parlour at Patong Beach, Lee collapsed and was later pronounced dead at Patong Hospital.

 

Authorities, led by Pol. Col. Chalermchai Hirasawat, are treating the situation with seriousness, with an autopsy underway to uncover the cause. While no visible wounds marred Lee's body, the suddenness of his death has left many in shock. Lee's unfortunate passing has prompted action from the Singaporean embassy to inform his relatives.

In a parallel event in Udon Thani, the loss of Thai singer Chanida Phraohom, known as Phing Chanida, has further stirred public concern. Chanida died today after an ordeal with a massage parlour that left her physically debilitated.

 

Her poignant social media posts reveal a harrowing account of her experience. What began as a routine shoulder massage to alleviate pain spiralled into a nightmare. Chanida described a sequence of treatments, during which her neck was manipulated, leaving her with severe pain, numbness, and eventual immobility.

 

Picture courtesy: AMARIN TV

 

Initially brushing off the discomfort as a typical post-massage soreness, Chanida's condition worsened after subsequent visits to the same parlour.

 

A third massage further aggravated her symptoms, leading to sensations of electric shocks and escalating numbness on her right side. Despite growing up with massages, as her mother was a masseuse, Chanida never anticipated such dire consequences.

 

These incidents have ignited a conversation on the safety and regulation of massage practices in Thailand. Massage is a cherished part of Thai culture, celebrated for its healing and relaxation benefits. However, these tragic cases highlight the potential risks involved, urging tourists and locals alike to approach massage services with caution and awareness.

 

For now, the families of Lee Mun Tuck and Phing Chanida mourn their untimely losses, as Thai authorities work to ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future. Their stories serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety in the pursuit of relaxation and relief.

 

As the investigations continue, the hospitality and wellness industries in Thailand may see heightened scrutiny and possibly new regulations, aiming to preserve the essence of Thai massage while safeguarding its patrons, reported Amarin TV.

 

-- 2024-12-09

 

 

I, have had hundreds of traditional Thai massages.

I never allow the Masseuse to manipulate my Head or my Neck

Otherwise, I'm quite I'm prepared to relax and let her get on with her work.

If I want to have a 'fun' massage I will go for a 'soapy'.

That is why I always hesitate to do unprofessionell Thai massage

never knew someone could die from a massage.

 

there was a doctor in the US who tampered with IV drip bags. put poison in them.

but foul play in a massage shop? 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

As the investigations continue, the hospitality and wellness industries in Thailand may see heightened scrutiny and possibly new regulations, aiming to preserve the essence of Thai massage while safeguarding its patrons

There are way too many massage establishments employing untrained people, some people do not realise the damage that can be done to someone's nervous system through improper manipulation of the neck & spinal joints. Addition training & certification is definitely required IMO.

I take "Blood thinners" since my stroke in 1995 and I have been warned by my doctor never to go to a massage shop in Thailand. IIf  if I want a massage", leave it to qualified people at the hospital.
Massage can lose blood clonters in the veins which are carried to the brain and can cause a stroke.

Tragic. Echoing the above, I never let them touch my neck. Far too much going on in that area even for someone that knows what they’re doing. Some Thai masseuses purposely go too hard thinking it fun and is only doing good. 

Too many new masseuse from all walks of life … most of these cannot find any other work …. But new or old, I find many masseuse training is seriously suspect nowadays.
So, I also do not let anyone touch my neck for massage - having had prior bad experiences with such massage that left me in unexplained pain which eventually went away… no doubt neck massages are life threatening…. 

44 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

never knew someone could die from a massage.

 

there was a doctor in the US who tampered with IV drip bags. put poison in them.

but foul play in a massage shop? 

 

This sounds like manipulation of the neck resulting in spinal cord damage due to a vertebrae out of place?

X-ray shows the result?

I used to date a massage girl... she also described how little training she received prior to start working n the industry... from then on and even before - I stopped doing massages in Thailand.... maybe only foot massage I would allow them to perform....

Quite happy with a 'muscle' massage, but they can do one if it involves pulling my old bones about !

I learned this lesson the hard way. My wife and I went for a foot massage, as we often do. It is typical for the masseuse to finish with a few minutes on the shoulders, neck, and head. This would have been fine, except the masseuse decided to crack my neck. It was quick and without my consent but still, I did not think much about it until pain set in. Over the next few days, it did not get better, and sometimes there was a shooting pain that was so intense it caused me to scream. I went to the doctor and had x-rays and therapy. It took about six months but I eventually healed. Never again will I allow that to happen.

There are a number of regulated levels of Thai massage certifications, under the auspices of the Ministry of Public Health. The lowest level of certification doesn't require much. It's been 13+ years since I learned about all of that, in a Traditional Thai Medicine course at Thammasat Uni, so the requirements may have changed a bit since then. But, I know it is regulated and if a masseuse has a higher level certificate, they should be quite good and safe. That is, of course, assuming their certification is genuine....
I think it's worth asking about beyond just seeing the certificate and find out how their studies were and where they were, etc... if one is really looking for a good masseuse that one can visit more than one time. Or you can inquire at a hospital. Or you can really go deep and contact the Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine! It's under the Ministry of Public Health. Trusting your hips, spine, and neck to some of these practitioners is crazy, as can be seen from this article....

Definitely not a happy ending!

Strange article for me, and I'm not that keen on massages even if my lovely wife is a qualified massage therapist.

There is scant detail about the Singaporean man - underlying conditions, nature of his death, heart attack?

The Thai lady case has more information and provides a cursory warning about neck manipulation. But still strange - why did the lady go back for more massages, as well as how did this pain lead to death? Reads like nerve pain, that could have been treated with appropriate medication and time.

Uneducated  Cowboys 🤠 wouldn't let them anywhere near me 

I have heard from several people having  muscular problems after having had a massage.

Want a  Proper massage,  visit a physiotherapist, Someone who understands a bit about  physical health, for sure the massage shop staff dont.

my ex enjoys hard massages... she came back once with burns from a towel being pushed around her back... my ex was special, loooooooooool...   She asked me to stand on her shoulder with my full body weight... well she was sitting on the stairs... I could honestly not do the same with her cow weight

I had a Thai massage not to be confused with  a oil/body massage.

 

Its was in Sukothai in 2013 , she tore my shoulder muscle from the stretching maneuver !

 It took 8 months to heal .

That was the last time.

Small girls are nice and can't do you any harm but stay away from men or women that are built like men.My spine is deteriorating so I can see no benefit from anybody messing with it. Had a foot massage from one of these women built like men had a hard time walking for three days. As for letting someone crank on my neck not a chance that will happen.

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

never knew someone could die from a massage.

 

there was a doctor in the US who tampered with IV drip bags. put poison in them.

but foul play in a massage shop? 

 

In most reputable massage parlours there are often warnings posted in the parlour telling people with certain medical conditions not to have a massage.

My F-I-L died soon after a massage, but the massage was not the initial cause.

He had pains in his back so went to a professional for a massage.

The pains became worse.

Eventually he collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

He was diagnosed with cancer throughout his body, including his spine.

He was given two weeks to live.

The back bones were so brittle that the massage broke some of them.

RIP Bert.

It started out as a happy ending massage as requested but ended up a fatal massage.

Which is why I avoid a Thai massage, too brutal.

3 hours ago, NatureFilm said:

That is why I always hesitate to do unprofessionell Thai massage

You will have to be stupid if you have a neck or back problem and think a rub and tug massage shop can fix you. Get x-rays and proper physiotherapy from a properly trained therapist. How dumb are people?

3 hours ago, PopGun said:

I, have had hundreds of traditional Thai massages.

I never allow the Masseuse to manipulate my Head or my Neck

Otherwise, I'm quite I'm prepared to relax and let her get on with her work.

If I want to have a 'fun' massage I will go for a 'soapy'.

I do neck rotation during my morning workout but I know my limits. I have never had a Thai massage but like you, if I did, neck and head would be out of bounds. The Atlas and Axis are the head/spine connection and have a fair range of movement but lower than that the spine vertebra become more restricted and a lot care is required if there are problems in those areas.

I had this done to me once.. In a Phuket mall... A chair massage. She snapped my neck.. No warning... She just did it. Fk me. That was scary. I was not happy I told her. She laughed.. Of course... 

 

Whats the difference between this type of neck adjustment and how the bad guys snap a neck in the movies? Two more kg? Ten more degrees? It's gotta be same same 

This is a ridiculous news story to release before an autopsy and the results of the death. And the two stories are barely related. Hundreds of thousands of massages are done everyday. Great way to undermine a major money making industry in Thailand 

I do not let them twist my neck ever!  If they get too rough, I put a stop to it immediately.

 

Some of these ladies are not qualfied.

Another thing they do is put their hands at your lower groin on the sides of your junk and then lean in and hold pressure. I usually have to tell them to do soft, or just move on. I've heard that some do this because when they release the pressure there is a rush of blood which may incline you more to paying for a happy ending upsell. But many overdo it, and for an old bod it can be painful and dangerous.

If I sense a neck crack is coming, I try to be ready with a big NO.