Wellness Business in Thailand: Which Licence Do You Need?
Thailand's wellness industry is booming, but every type of wellness business in Thailand has different licensing requirements. Massage shops, spas, saunas, and hair salons are each regulated differently, and getting it wrong can result in fines or closure.
This guide covers the most common types of wellness business in Thailand and the licenses each one requires.
Quick Overview: Licences by Business Type
| Business type | Main licence | Issuing authority |
|---|---|---|
| Massage shop | Health Massage Licence | DHSS (Ministry of Public Health) |
| Spa (massage + sauna/steam/hydrotherapy/scrubs/facials) | Health Spa Licence | DHSS (Ministry of Public Health) |
| Sauna / cold plunge (standalone, no massage) | No specific licence exists (see below) | Local district office check |
| Hair salon / barber | No specific licence exists (see below) | Local district office check |
Important: Depending on your location, any of these businesses may also need a Health-Hazardous Business Licence from your local district Public Health Office. This covers sanitation, chemical handling, ventilation, and waste disposal. Requirements vary by municipality, so check with your district office before opening.
Massage Shop
Licence: Health Massage Licence, issued by the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) under the Health Establishment Act B.E. 2559 (2016).
What it covers: Thai traditional massage, oil massage, sports massage, foot massage, and other health-focused bodywork.
What it does not cover: Sauna, steam rooms, hydrotherapy, body scrubs, wraps, or facials. If you want to offer any of these, you need the spa licence instead.
Requirements
- Every therapist must hold a DHSS-certified certificate (minimum 150 hours of training from an accredited institution)
- Therapists must be at least 18 years old
- The business operator must be at least 20 years old, free from bankruptcy, and have no relevant criminal record
- Operating hours restricted to 6:00 AM to midnight
- Physical premises required with proper signage
- Massage is a reserved occupation for Thai nationals. Foreigners cannot perform massage but can own the business, serve as a director, or work in management and administrative roles with a valid work permit
Fees: Up to 5,000 THB for the licence (depending on premises size), plus 500 THB annual fee.
Timeline: The review process typically takes around 30 days if documents are complete. Licences are valid for five years.
Spa
Licence: Health Spa Licence, issued by the DHSS under the same Act.
What it covers: Everything the massage licence covers, plus hydrotherapy, jacuzzi, onsen, sauna, steam rooms, aromatherapy, body wraps, body scrubs, facials, and a range of additional services prescribed by Ministerial Regulation.
The spa licence includes massage. If you hold a spa licence, you do not need a separate massage licence.
Additional Requirements Beyond the Massage Licence
- A licensed Spa Manager is mandatory. The DHSS opens Spa Manager registration only once per year. If you miss this window, you cannot legally operate as a spa until the following year. This is the single biggest planning consideration for any new spa.
- Premises must have reliable clean water supply and proper sewage drainage
- If sharing a building, the spa must be clearly separated with no passageway connecting it to any entertainment venue
- Staff must wear clean uniforms with visible name tags
- A customer screening system is required (e.g. declining service where health risks exist)
Fees: Up to 10,000 THB for the licence (depending on premises size), plus 1,000 THB annual fee. The Spa Manager Licence costs 1,000 THB.
Sauna and Cold Plunge (Standalone)
Thai law does not have a standalone sauna, cold plunge, or onsen licence. Under the Health Establishment Act, sauna and steam services are classified as part of a spa business.
This creates a grey area for businesses that offer sauna or cold plunge without massage. In practice, these businesses typically operate under:
- General business registration
- A Health-Hazardous Business Licence from the local district Public Health Office (covering water treatment, sanitation, and safety)
- Compliance with building safety codes for wet environments
The safest approach is to obtain the full Health Spa Licence from the DHSS, which provides clear legal cover for sauna and steam services. Alternatively, consult the DHSS directly about your specific situation before opening.
Hair Salon and Barber
Hair salons and barber shops do not require a licence under the Health Establishment Act. They are regulated separately through:
- General business registration with the Department of Business Development
- Local municipal permits from your district office
- A Health-Hazardous Business Licence from the local district Public Health Office (typically required due to chemical use, sanitation, and waste handling)
Hairdressing and barbering are reserved occupations for Thai nationals. Foreign nationals cannot perform these services but can own the business and serve as a director with a valid work permit.
If a hair salon introduces any form of massage (such as scalp massage or facial massage as a service), it crosses into the Health Establishment Act and must obtain the appropriate licence from the DHSS.
Where Wellness Ends and Medicine Begins
Any treatment that penetrates the skin, uses injectables, or requires medical devices is not a wellness service. It is medical practice and requires a Medical Facility Licence plus a licensed physician.
| Wellness (Health Establishment Act) | Medical (Medical Facilities Act) |
|---|---|
| Manual massage | Botox, dermal fillers |
| Cosmetic-grade facials | Laser treatments, IPL, HIFU |
| Body scrubs, wraps, aromatherapy | Chemical peels |
| Sauna, steam, hydrotherapy, cold plunge | Thread lifts, microneedling, PRP |
| Hair services, nail services, waxing | Any injectable or skin-penetrating procedure |
Operating a medical procedure from a wellness establishment carries serious criminal penalties. If you are planning a business that straddles this line, get legal advice before you open.
What Changed in 2026
Since 24 January 2026, new consumer protection rules require all wellness and beauty businesses selling packages, memberships, or multi-session contracts to use a prescribed standard contract format in Thai. The rules mandate transparent pricing, clear refund policies, fair cancellation terms, and cooling-off rights. Non-compliance carries criminal penalties.
How Attori Law Can Help
Attori Law helps set up wellness businesses from company registration through to licence applications. Whether you are opening a massage shop, spa, sauna, or salon in Thailand, get in touch for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Wellness Business in Thailand
What is the difference between a massage licence and a spa licence?
A massage licence covers massage only. A spa licence covers massage plus sauna, steam, hydrotherapy, scrubs, wraps, facials, and other prescribed services. If you hold a spa licence, you do not need a separate massage licence.
Do I need a licence to open a sauna or cold plunge business?
There is no standalone sauna licence in Thai law. If you offer sauna alongside massage, you need a spa licence. A standalone sauna without massage is a grey area. The safest option is to obtain the spa licence or consult the DHSS directly.
Do hair salons need a wellness licence?
Not for hairdressing, barbering, nails, or waxing. These fall outside the Health Establishment Act. You will need general business registration, local municipal permits, and likely a Health-Hazardous Business Licence from your district office. If the salon offers any form of massage, it must obtain a licence under the Health Establishment Act.
What is the Spa Manager Licence?
Every spa must have a licensed Spa Manager on staff. The DHSS opens registration for this licence only once per year. Missing the window delays your spa opening by a full year.
Can a foreigner perform massage, spa treatments, or hairdressing in Thailand?
No. These are reserved occupations for Thai nationals. Foreign nationals can own the business, serve as a director, or work in management and administrative roles with a valid work permit, but cannot perform the treatments or services themselves.