The government revealed that the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has introduced the 450-hour "Thai Massage Pho-Lanna" course, highlighting San Kamphaeng Hot Springs in Chiang Mai as the pilot site to upgrade it into a comprehensive Wellness Hub. The first training cohort is expected to open in late May 2026.
4 May 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Ploytale Laksamee Sangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, announced that the government through the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, has launched the "Thai Massage Pho-Lanna 450-hour" course. This integrates the World Heritage of Wat Pho with the unique wisdom of the Lanna culture, focusing on creating a distinctive Thai massage brand. San Kamphaeng Hot Springs in Chiang Mai serves as the pilot area, aiming to advance it into a comprehensive Wellness Hub.
The "Thai Massage Pho-Lanna 450-hour" course draws on knowledge from Wat Pho Thai massage texts dating back to King Rama III's reign, enhanced by Northern Thai arts and culture. It blends identity with standards, featuring the gentle, flowing "Lanna style" through 11 massage techniques and 9 key steps including upper and lower body massage, hot compress application, line pressing, and the "Ju" stretching dance to deliver quality services with cultural uniqueness.
"This 450-hour course has been officially declared a standard curriculum by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. Initially, training will focus on massage practitioners in the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs area of Chiang Mai and eight nearby communities. This will enable the community to offer holistic massage experiences including scent, food, and hot springs, allowing Thai Massage Pho-Lanna to generate sustainable income and develop service capabilities to meet international tourist standards. The first training is expected to begin in late May 2026 in Chiang Mai, moving forward to elevate Thai massage to an international wellness level."