Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai allows for many certifications and titles. Besides being accredited with the Thai Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, it has been approved by the California Board of Nursing to give up to 30 contact hour credits. The school is also certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (USA), the Australia Association Of Massage Therapists, National Health Practitioners of Canada, College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia and the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario to offer continuing education to licensed massage practitioners. The English medium program offers a five-week, intensive program to visiting foreigners starting out in Thai massage. It also has advanced and specialty courses which include foot massage, table massage and chair massage. The Massage School of Thailand is also a massage, teacher-training school. Prices vary considerably based on the specific program, although the school offers and arranges accommodations for those coming from far away.
What started as The Old Medicine Hospital Shivagakomarpaj of Chiang Mai, evolved into a teaching program that today holds accreditation from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The Thai Massage School Shivagakomarpaj welcomes students from around the world to learn the basics of Thai massage as well as specialties such as hot stone and aroma oil massage techniques. English language courses in traditional Thai massage range up to four weeks and are available from beginning to advanced levels. The program offers accommodation to its visiting guests, but requests students apply at least 30 days in advance of their courses.
As the name implies, International Training Massage School aims to make Thai tradition accessible to people from around the world. The school boasts having taught students from 137 countries. It emphasizes visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning methods in which students receive demonstrations and are then asked to emulate them to facilitate internalization of course material. American massage therapists can earn continuing education validated by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, while British and Canadians can do the same, as their accreditation boards also recognize ITM. ITM operates its own spa hotel adjacent to the school buildings in central Chiang Mai.
Named for the famous Temple of Dawn on the Chao Praya river in Bangkok, Wat Po Traditional Thai Medical school has a campus in Chiang Mai, but was founded and remains based in Bangkok. The school offers courses both for novices wanting to learn massage basics and for massage professionals who want to understand Thai technique and concepts. Courses include basic Thai massage, advanced practice, professional massage for health and professional massage for therapy. Traditional specialties such as foot massage, and not-so-traditional ones such as nail care and nail art, are also course options. Watpho is accredited by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the National Health Practitioners of Canada. The school offers accommodation only at its Salaya campus.