'Thai Massage' gets rebranded as 'Nuat Thai'

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has decided to replace the globally popular phrase “Thai Massage” with its transliterated equivalent—“Nuat Thai.”

The Ministry is encouraging Thai massage practitioners to advertise their rhythmic pressing service by using the phrase “Nuat Thai” instead of “Thai Massage,” which can be notoriously misrepresentative.

The Director-General of the Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Dr. Somchai Nichpanit, told Matichon that the adjustment would convey a more positive image of Thai identity, as well as reduce confusion among massage recipients.

Full story: http://www.coconutsb...d-as-nuat-thai/

-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-06

which can be notoriously misrepresentative.

That's the understatement of the year.

How do you say "soapy" in Thai?

Careful that you get the tones right otherwise you might just end up with Thai whiskers.

I'm sure that more than a few practitioners of the skill would regard their work as a bit more involved than just "rythmic pressing".

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health...Seen to be accomplishing, achieving, working hard for the Nation...

Will the Thai Ministry of Health pay for a major TV advertising campaign around the world? Because most farangs don't have a clue what "Nuat Thai" is. Whether they want an authentic Thai massage or another service, they will walk straight past the "Nuat Thai" signs and head for a "Thai Massage" shop.

The Ministry seem to just be throwing the idea out there - makes them look like they are doing something - but in reality this has zero chance of catching on.

Hope I can be the first to say, this is a nuatty idea !

The world knows it as 'Thai Massage', and changes of brand-name are expensive, oops ... sorry ... I think I just spotted the rationale behind the change, loads-a-money and advertising-budgets required !

To be followed by the world-wide re-naming of 'Thai Boxing', or 'Thai Food to Take-Away' or 'Thai Rice', perhaps ?

which can be notoriously misrepresentative.

That's the understatement of the year.

How do you say "soapy" in Thai?

Nut Thai?

Brilliant!

Do they get paid for that?

I want that job!

"..................to advertise their rhythmic pressing service by using the phrase “Nuat Thai” instead of “Thai Massage,”

So only change the name, not the concept.

Nuat.

Just rolls of the tongue for meaning....

I'm sure that more than a few practitioners of the skill would regard their work as a bit more involved than just "rythmic pressing".

Which can also be confused with "rhythmic tugging"

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Will there be two versions, Nuat lite and Nuat Pro?

No problem. As long as I can still get my happy endings .

Erm…isn't " nuat Thai" just Thai for Thai massage. Why bother?

Edited December 6, 201213 yr by Bluespunk

which can be notoriously misrepresentative.

That's the understatement of the year.

How do you say "soapy" in Thai?

Aap Awp Nuat (Nap) ...... bathe, perfume, massage, #@$%

Just asking the Mrs, sounds like it should be pronounced "noat Thai", not to be confused with "nuat" (blood).

<deleted> .......What is this place coming to????...........

Stupidity at the extreme!!!!

Just asking the Mrs, sounds like it should be pronounced "noat Thai", not to be confused with "nuat" (blood).

massage has an oo-aah in the middle round lips

blood is similar oo-aah but wide smile lips

Edited December 6, 201213 yr by TommoPhysicist

At the risk of being controversial this is a good idea. I know a TV member who's making serious money in the UK from Nuat Thai. There's big money in that game and if it could lose it's association with the sex trade it could only help improve an already lucrative business.

Some TV members need to look more closely at Nuat Thai, it's a far better business proposition than owning a bar.

I am sure that the "happy endings" will now cease with this new term.

I can understand why you would want to change the image of the "Thai Massage", but in reality, does this not bring many tourists specifically for the extra services offered? Watch what you ask for. Don't kill the golden goose.

^^ No....there are plenty of tourists that just want a massage.

No, the name change will have the opposite effect of preventing confusion. 99.99% of tourists won't know the word "nuat" while the word "massage" is almost universally understood. Plus the transliteration is more accurately written as "nuaat."

Personally I think the most accurate term is "Traditional Thai Massage."

My primary point is that it's an excellent money making opportunity, both in Thailand and the West. A lot of you guys are perfectly capable and have the contacts / ability to do it.

It's a better proposition than owning a bar, easier working hours and easier to manage. Get the ambience right, plus the right staff, then you will have a better than average chance of making a living.

No, the name change will have the opposite effect of preventing confusion. 99.99% of tourists won't know the word "nuat" while the word "massage" is almost universally understood. Plus the transliteration is more accurately written as "nuaat."

Personally I think the most accurate term is "Traditional Thai Massage."

Transliteration quite often does not work properly because the final consenant in Thai is not pronounced like English: It's dead. That is air is not blown out on the final consenant. There is a word for this; but I can't remember it. And vice versa. For an example of this ask an uneducated Thai to say milk or mouse ("miw" maw"). They will struggle.

I'd transliterate นวด (nuat as nooad). นวดแผนโบราณไทย (nooad pern boreraan Thai). I agree, Thai traditional massage would be better, not the transliteration.

I really do not think it a good business opportunity. It may be easier to manage and better hours, but there is currently a serious over supply and places are going out of business left right and center. You may see a lot of shoes outside the door but the vast majority are not customers'. Only those that got in there at the begining and developed a client base seem to be making a real go of it, with a few exceptions.

A rose by any other name......

I'd transliterate นวด (nuat as nooad). นวดแผนโบราณไทย (nooad pern boreraan Thai). I agree, Thai traditional massage would be better, not the transliteration.

I've occasionally wonder if "Thai traditional massage" is the same as "Thai ancient massage".

Will I now be subject to the girls calling "Nuat Thai, Nuat Thai, Nuat Thai" instead of "Massaaaaj. Massaaaaj. Masssaaaj"?

Massage in London is pairng mahk mahk with one hour going for £40 - 50 without tips.Here's one that looks like it wants to be Thai Massage not nuat thai http://www.thailandlondonmassage.co.uk/

Did the use Google Translate to translate "Thai Massage" ? comment.....