CHON BURI - Members of a club for people providing traditional Thai massage services in Pattaya were asked to give urine samples for drug testing on Wednesday, with a warning those who fail will lose their membership.
The Dong Tan Beach Thai Traditional Massage Club has over 200 members providing services in and around the tourist resort city.
At a meeting in Pattaya City Hall on Wednesday, the club's masseuses and masseurs were warned they must stay away from illegal drugs.
Setthapol Boonsawat, chairman of a panel providing legal advice to the Pattaya municipal mayor, and and club's chairwoman Manee Kerdruang presided over the meeting, which was called to help improve the city's image and reduce crime.
Mr Setthapol said members would be given random drug tests. Anyone found to use drugs or be involved in the illegal trade would be asked to leave the club and be sent for rehabilitation.
Members were also briefed on club regulations regarding customer service and massage rates, to set a consistent standard. They were warned not to take advantage of their foreign customers.
To qualify for membership, applicants must have a massage therapy licence from a recognised agency, and their home registration must be in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district, the Pattaya area. Club membership is 500 baht a year.
Traditional massage is very popular with tourists. Pattaya city authorities have set a rate of 300 baht per hour.