Recently, a shocking incident occurred in Thailand—a 20-year-old singer, Chayada (Ping Chayada), tragically passed away after a massage at a Thai massage shop in Udon Thani province. This incident has sparked widespread concern and anxiety across Thailand.
Thai Massage Industry Under Scrutiny
As is well known, Thailand is filled with massage shops, and for just 50 to 60 RMB, one can enjoy an hour-long massage. Locals and tourists alike love to indulge in massages for relaxation. However, following this tragedy, people have started to reconsider the safety of massages, particularly those involving sensitive areas like the neck.
The Tragic Incident of Chayada
At just 20 years old, Chayada was embarking on a promising singing career, having signed with a local studio and released two albums. Her family had high hopes for her future. Chayada’s mother, a seasoned massage therapist, was the one who usually provided her with massages. However, after feeling some discomfort in her back, Chayada decided to go to a local massage shop with her boyfriend since her mother had recently undergone surgery and lacked the strength to massage her. 
After her first massage, Chayada felt some numbness and loss of movement in certain parts of her body. Thinking that the issue could be alleviated with another massage, she returned for two more sessions. Unfortunately, the situation worsened. Chayada became unable to walk due to severe pain, and her mother suspected that her neck had been displaced during the massage. She immediately rushed Chayada to the hospital.
Surprisingly, the doctors dismissed the idea that the massage could have caused the injury, considering it to be a minor issue that would resolve itself. The media reported that the doctors didn’t even conduct an X-ray. Without a proper diagnosis, Chayada was transferred to a larger hospital where it was confirmed that her spine had been displaced in three places.
The Deterioration and Death of Chayada
By the time the diagnosis was made, Chayada’s condition had already rapidly worsened. It seemed that the neck injury had led to meningitis. Before she could be hospitalized, she fell into a coma and was rushed to the ICU. Chayada remained in the ICU for ten days, but her condition didn’t improve. In the final stages, her lungs became swollen due to a drug-resistant infection, and fungi were found in her bloodstream. The infection spread to her brain, leading to her tragic death.
Chayada’s mother and boyfriend were devastated by the loss. Her mother expressed that if it weren’t for the improper massage, her daughter would not have suffered such a fate. To seek justice, Chayada’s mother decided to take legal action. Her story quickly gained media attention, and relevant authorities began to investigate the massage shop.
The Massage Shop and Industry Issues
The shop owner claimed that the business had been operating since 2005 without any previous incidents. However, she admitted that the staff often changed, and due to high turnover, it was impossible to identify which masseuse had worked on Chayada. According to Chayada’s boyfriend, the first two massages were performed by the same therapist, but the third one was done by someone else, whose pressure was stronger and more intense, potentially leading to the injury.
The owner confirmed that their shop does not offer neck massages due to the well-known risks associated with them. However, she also admitted that she could not control the communication between the masseuse and the customers. If a customer requested a neck massage, the therapist might have agreed to it.
Potential Dangers in the Thai Massage Industry
Thailand has over 20,000 legally licensed massage shops, but around 200,000 masseurs operate without official certifications. Some Thai massage therapists may use self-taught techniques that do not meet professional standards, which can result in harm. Techniques such as head rotation or neck twisting can increase the risk of injury to the neck, nerves, and blood vessels. Repeated use of these techniques can lead to long-term damage, even lifelong disabilities.
This incident is not isolated. Recently, Thai police reported the death of a Singaporean tourist at Patong Beach after receiving a body massage. The 52-year-old man, a regular customer of the massage shop, began snoring loudly after a 45-minute oil massage. Shortly afterward, he exhibited signs of distress and lost consciousness. Despite attempts to revive him with CPR, he was pronounced dead. Investigations revealed that the massage shop was actually a laundry shop that “also” provided massage services, and they lacked the necessary licenses.
Conclusion: A Reflection on Massage Safety
The series of massage-related deaths has raised serious concerns among the Thai public. For those who regularly visit massage shops, particularly when neck-related massages are involved, it’s important to be cautious and inform the therapist to skip any risky maneuvers. This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for the Thai massage industry to improve regulations and ensure the safety of customers.
