About THAI
Thai Healing Alliance International (THAI) is an online resource for study and research of Thai healing arts and an international network of Thai massage therapists and teachers. THAI proposes basic standards of study and practice of traditional Thai massage (nuad boran) throughout the world, and offers information to the general public. Registered Thai therapists and Teachers who have met THAI’s guidelines live and practice in over 35 countries and territories around the world.
The THAI online library
This website contains the world’s largest online archive of valuable articles and research about the history and practice of Thai massage and Thai healing arts. Over 800 items are available for online reading, downloading, printing and research. The library contains practice and study information, academic research, historical and cultural information, Thailand travel tips, and much more. Access to the THAI online library is available and free to the general public. To enter the THAI Archives, click here.
A list of of all Registered Thai Therapists and Teachers in the THAI international network may be found at the menus above. Guidelines for study and practice, samples of items in the online library, and suggestions and references for those who wish to lean more about the practice are available at the bottom of the main page.
Registered Thai Therapists (RTT) and Teachers
Qualifying Registered Thai Therapists (RTT) and Instructors have received certificates conferring the title of RTT or Instructor, and their names and contact information are listed on the THAI website. Honorary Thailand Schools and Teachers are also listed.
Registered Thai Therapists [RTT] – All RTTs have completed a minimum of 250 hours of formal hands-on study of traditional Thai massage. All study must have been completed in traditional style, on a floor mat, addressing the entire body. Advanced RTTs have completed 350 hours of formal study and 350 hours of logged sessions. See this link for requirements and more information.
Teachers – All Teachers recognized by Thai Healing Alliance have completed at least 500 hours of formal study and training of traditional Thai massage and related Thai healing arts, and have also studied in Thailand. See this link for requirements and more information.
Honorary Thailand Schools and Teachers – Thailand Schools or Teachers are Thai citizens that maintain a teaching practice anywhere in the Kingdom of Thailand. A short bilingual application must be submitted to THAI for review and approval. หากต้องการจดทะเบียนเป็นโรงเรียนในประเทศไทยหรืออาจารย์คุณต้องเป็นพลเมืองไทยที่เป็นเจ้าของโรงเรียนหรือมีการสอนแบบตัวต่อตัวที่ใดก็ได้ในราชอาณาจักรไทย จะต้องส่งใบสมัครสองภาษาสั้น ๆ ไปยังการบินไทยเพื่อตรวจสอบ หากต้องการขอแอปพลิเคชั่นฟรีให้ติดต่อการบินไทยทางอีเมล ไปที่นี่เพื่อดาวน์โหลดแอปพลิเคชันสำหรับโรงเรียนและครูในประเทศไทย: เปิดเอกสาร
Thai Healing Alliance Goals & Objectives
THAI encourages the understanding, study and practice of traditional Thai healing arts throughout the world. These disciplines include nuad boran, (known in various forms as traditional Thai Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, and Thai Yoga Therapy) as well as Thai herbal medicine traditions and related Thai folk healing arts. THAI’s goals and objectives are: a) to raise awareness of traditional Thai healing arts and to distinguish them from other therapies such as Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Western medicine, Western massage, and modern hybrid forms b) to maintain the THAI online library (THAI Archives) as a free resource for anyone who wishes to learn more about traditional Thai healing arts, and c) to propose and promote guidelines and standards of study and practice for therapists and teachers of Thai healing arts throughout the world.
The History of Thai Healing Alliance
THAI was created in 2005, during a time when there was practically no support for students and practitioners of Thai massage outside of Thailand. THAI began as a networking organization and was the first organization to propose minimum standards of study and practice. Students were connected to teachers and schools to further their knowledge, and clients were able to search for acknowledged therapists around the world. The organization was well received by major schools and teachers in Thailand and around the world, and received critical acclaim from the press, trade magazines and partner organizations in the United States, Canada and Europe. THAI raised money for victims of the tsunami, and awarded scholarships for first-time students to Thailand. It held two THAI international retreats (United States, 2007 and Croatia, 2009) which were attended by people from all over the world; and also awarded scholarships for study in Thai medicine and element theory. THAI has operated as a 100% volunteer organization, and no one has ever taken a salary or benefited financially from the non-profit organization. In 2020, after 15 years of serving its members and endorsing RTTs and Teachers, THAI was transformed into an educational and informational web resource. The THAI Archives were expanded to become the largest online library for traditional Thai massage and Thai healing arts, and the library was opened free of charge to the general public.
THAI Leaders & Supporters
Bob Haddad, Founder and Director of THAI, studied with many teachers in Thailand and around the world, and was strongly influenced by Ajahn Pichest Boonthumme, Lek Chaiya Thiwong and Asokananda. Over the years, THAI was blessed to have volunteers who served as members of the Executive Council and Membership Committee. Two of these, Cristina Muñoz Gándara and Jo Jensen, dedicated many hours of work over a long period of time.
THAI thanks and acknowledges all volunteers including Mark Wisdom, Janice Gagnon, Keith Wagner, Jennifer Barnett, Tracy Wells, Paul Fowler, Tanya Boigenzahn, Karen Ufer, Kath Rutland, Hillary Hilliard, Joel Sheposh, Danko Lara Radic, Martin Misenheimer, Al Turner II, Pierce Salguero, D’vorah Swarzman and James Peckham. Sponsors from around the world have also helped to keep THAI in operation through their generous donations.
Several people served as Advisors to Thai Healing Alliance, including Richard Gold (author and teacher, USA); Max Scheuermeier (Sunshine Massage School, Thailand); and Coocky Tassanee Boonsom (Loi Kroh Massage School, Thailand). THAI thanks and acknowledges other advisors, including Asokananda Harald Brust and Alan Phillips.