Masseur breaks client’s leg, still demands fee
The owner of a Chon Buri massage parlour faces charges after one of his customers suffered a broken leg during a treatment and still had to pay Bt700 for the service.
A complaint filed by the 59-year-old woman’s daughter prompted Muang district officials and police to inspect the premises and charges were filed against the owner, Nathanapop Klachingchai, 50.
Nathanapop is charged with having no permits to operate a business, to operate a business that could affect people’s health, or to operate a service establishment.
The last charge carries the heaviest penalty – up to a year in prison and/or a fine of up to Bt60,000.
Pimyanee Thanyawongsakul sustained a broken leg while Nathanapop was giving her a massage. He insisted nevertheless on being paid his Bt700 fee.
Incensed that Nathanapop didn’t visit her mother in hospital, Pimyanee’s daughter Saranya, 25, filed a police complaint demanding compensation.
Nathanapop claimed in his defence that Pimkyanee hadn’t informed him she suffered from osteoporosis, which can leave bones brittle. Had she done so, he said, he would have refused to give her a massage.
He said he was obliged to collect payment as a “traditional massage teacher-worshiping fee”.
Nathanapop said he would pawn his motorcycle to get the money to compensate the family and, if that wasn’t enough, he would pay the rest in instalments.