CHIANG MAI

Thailand aims to set a new world record in massage

By The Nation

Thailand is aiming to break the Guinness World Records' largest ever simultaneous massage.

The "World Record for Thai Massage" project, is set to draw at least 840 pairs of contestants, hence beating the current world record of 232 pairs massaging en masse set by Australia two years ago, and will be held in Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani and Phuket.

Chiang Mai provincial public health officer Wattana Kanchanakamon said at the launch today that the project, a collaboration between the Public Health Ministry, the Department of Export Promotion, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and THAI, aimed to promote Thai massage to the world.

The bid, which would raise cultural awareness of Thai culture just like Muay Thai, Thai food, Thai architecture and the wai, the gesture that pays respect to others, would also promote health tourism in Thailand.

The project, launched at Chiang Mai's Royal Park Rajapruek with 199 pairs massaging en masse, will also be held in Ubon Ratchathani with an expected 214 pairs, then Surat Thani with 400 pairs and Phuket with 500 pairs, with the closing ceremony to be held in Bangkok, he said.

Since 2004, Thailand has aspired to be the medical hub of Asia in three areas; medical treatment, healthcare services and herbal products. In Thailand, there are 220 certified institutes teaching massage and 500,000 individuals have gone through massage training programs.

In Chiang Mai alone, 20 institutes produce 4,000 graduates per year. Chiang Mai has 49 healthcare service establishments, 93 "massage for health" shops and six "massage for beauty and cosmetic" shops, which generate about Bt1 billion per year.

-- The Nation 2011-06-03

Are they going for the record for the largest ever simultaneous happy ending too?

Are they going for the record for the largest ever simultaneous happy ending too?

Worlds largest soapie....

I paricularly like the bit about "raising cultural awareness"

And there's the rub.