641 simultaneous Thai massages smash Ozzie Guinness World Record

Bangkok - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and a senior representative from Guinness Records, Rob Molloy watched 641 massage therapists break the Australian world record set in 2010.

The Jakarta Post and Straits Times report that some 641 massage therapists, mostly female masseuses, mass-massaged 641 people simultaneously for 12 minutes in a convention centre in Bangkok. They managed to smash the world record held by Australia where a mass massaging event took place in 2010 involving 263 participants massaged over five minutes. The Health Ministry arranged the event to promote the healthier and medical side of Thailand's massage and spa industry which in the past has been highly associated with prostitution. Thai massage also known as nuad bo rarn is thought to have originated in India over 2500 years ago. It works on the principle that energy forces called Sen lines run throughout our bodies and are often blocked. By applying pressure on certain points, stretching muscles and gently manipulating joints through, massage and acupressure, using hands, feet, arms, fingers and thumbs this type of massage therapy can help improve, energy levels, concentration, blood circulation, sleeping patterns and reduce tiredness. As with all alternative therapy consult professionals before booking massage treatments. More information can be found at Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.