Manee Kerdruang, president
of the Thai Masseuse Club on Dongtan Beach.
Jetsada Homklin & Urasin Khantaraphan
Already struggling with increased competition and decreased tourist
numbers, Dongtan Beach masseuses say illegal foreign workers are
imperiling their incomes.
At the June 30 meeting of the Thai Masseuse Club, President Manee
Kerdruang told Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and officials from the city’s
Peace Maintenance and Public Health departments that members want City
Hall to do more to protect them, as they pay annual fees to work, submit
to drug tests and adhere to programs, such as the current “Pattaya
White” project.
As part of the program, aimed at reducing drug use and creating harmony
in the city, the 200-plus masseuses attending the meeting again took
drug tests and pledged to uphold Thai traditions.
Registered beach masseuses must have a home registered in Banglamung
District, a license from a massage school, must cooperate with Pattaya
activities and be a member of a beach-massage club, which enforces such
things as uniforms and registration numbers.
Manee complained, however, that foreigners were working on Dongtan Beach
even though they have not paid membership fees of 500-2,000 baht, have
not had formal training and often engage in drugs and prostitution.
Member Sopha Ajvichai said some of those claiming to be masseuses really
are foreign tourists or vendors trying to get people to buy expensive
items or illegally trade foreign currency. The scams, she said, damage
the image of honest, hard-working masseuses.
Pattaya, Sopha said, has done little to combat the influx of foreign
scammers and competitors and she called on Itthiphol to do more.
Theerasuk Jatupong, head of the Peace Maintenance Department, vowed to
conduct serious inspections and arrest any foreigners found working
illegally in the kingdom.
Maream Bilsalem, 50, hopes the city follows through. She said Dongtan
Beach has long enjoyed a steady stream of sun worshippers thanks to its
relatively secluded surroundings. Masseuses used to be able to earn
800-1,000 baht a day but, now, prices have fallen from 200 to 300 baht
due to increased competition. Meanwhile, the number of tourists visiting
the beach has fallen, seriously impacting her income.
