Tragic Deaths After Massage Treatments in Thailand Raise Health Concerns
The deaths of a Thai singer and a Singaporean tourist after visiting massage parlors in Thailand have prompted warnings from medical professionals about the potential dangers of certain massage techniques.
Chayada Prao-hom, a 20-year-old Thai singer, passed away in a hospital in Udon Thani on Sunday after her health deteriorated following three massage sessions since October.
According to reports, she sought treatment to alleviate shoulder pain but began experiencing severe symptoms, including numbness and paralysis, after the massages. In her final weeks, Chayada shared her ordeal on social media, describing her inability to lift her right arm and being bedridden.
“I want my story to be a lesson for those who like being massaged a lot,” she wrote, expressing hope for recovery. The hospital later confirmed her death was caused by a blood infection and brain swelling.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the massages contributed to her condition. Officials noted that the parlor and masseuses involved were properly licensed.
In another incident, 52-year-old Singaporean tourist Lee Mun Tuk died after a 45-minute oil massage at a parlor on Patong Beach in Phuket. Reports indicate he fell asleep during the session but later showed signs of distress. He was pronounced dead shortly after.
While the exact link between the massages and the deaths remains unclear, the incidents have led medical experts to caution against risky massage practices, particularly those involving the neck.
Dr. Chatpon Kongfeangfung, a health expert, warned, “An experienced masseuse would not twist the client’s neck because it’s known to be dangerous.”
Professor Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, an advisor to Rangsit University’s College of Oriental Medicine, emphasized that neck twisting or cervical spine massages could cause serious harm, including paralysis or damage to blood vessels supplying the brain.
“Improper techniques can tear blood vessel walls, leading to brain tissue death, paralysis, or even death,” Dr. Thiravat explained. He advised against high-pressure twisting, flicking, or circling movements on the neck.
The deaths have sparked renewed scrutiny of massage practices in Thailand, a country renowned for its traditional therapies, as authorities and health experts work to ensure the safety of such treatments.