On 23 August 2025, Mr. Naruchai Ninnad, Consul-General of Thailand in Sydney, presided over the opening of the seminar Sydney: Being, Living, Identity – Episode 2 under the theme Pathways for Thai Massage Businesses: Labour and Visa Challenges. The event was co-organised by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Sydney and the Thai Massage Association of Australia at the Metro Hotel Marlow Sydney Central from 10.00 AM to 12.00 PM. The three guest speakers were Pitithitiya Dilokporhiran, President of the Thai Massage Association of Australia, Gail Baldwin, Vice President of the Association and expert in professional massage education, and John Phaopeng, a specialist in visa and migration law. More than 100 participants including Thai massage and spa business owners, employees, and the general public participated in the seminar.

 

In his opening remarks, the Consul-General highlighted the significance of Thai massage, which UNESCO inscribed in 2019 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He noted that in New South Wales alone, there are approximately 1,000 Thai massage shops, making the industry not only an important source of income for the Thai community but also a cultural ambassador that promotes Thai identity to international audiences.

 

The seminar focused on strategies for Thai massage businesses in Australia to adapt to current economic conditions, labour shortages, intense competition, and legal challenges. It also addressed career pathways for massage practitioners, including opportunities to progress towards Australian permanent residency.

 

On this occasion, the Consul-General presented plaques of appreciation to three guest speakers and presented the appointment letters to the Association’s committee members and honourary advisers.

Further information and updates on the Professional Thai Massage Association of Australia are available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578745387013