At Loft Thai Spa, we believe that healing is an art, rooted in tradition yet refined by excellence. This June 2025, we are incredibly proud to announce a milestone that not only honors our values but also puts Thai wellness on the global map. Varinraya Ketngam, master therapist at Nakhon Spa, our prestigious luxury spa brand, will represent Thailand at the 8th World Massage Championship in Copenhagen. It is an event that brings together the most accomplished massage therapists from around the world—and it is a moment of pride for us, our clients, and all who seek the best massage in Bangkok.
Held from June 27 to 29, 2025, this international competition is the most prestigious in the world of professional massage therapy. Following an inspiring performance that placed us 4th at the European Massage Championship, Varinraya Ketngam is set to once again showcase the unique touch and deep-rooted wisdom of Thai healing on the global stage.
The World Massage Championship is more than a competition; it is a celebration of therapeutic excellence and innovation. Created to give therapists a platform to present their signature techniques, it attracts hundreds of professionals each year who demonstrate not only their skills but also their dedication to advancing massage as a healing discipline. Competitors are judged on their technique, creativity, flow, and ability to deliver real therapeutic benefit. The event begins with a cultural walk through the heart of Copenhagen and continues with the IMA Educational Conference, offering a wealth of knowledge to both therapists and wellness enthusiasts.
For this international showcase, Nakhon Spa has chosen to present a treatment that represents the pinnacle of traditional Thai healing with a modern therapeutic twist: the Thai Herbal Compress Head Therapy. This deeply restorative technique reflects the holistic philosophy at the heart of what we do, and it’s a treatment that perfectly complements the range of advanced wellness rituals offered at both Loft Thai Spa and Nakhon Spa.
The Thai Herbal Compress Head Therapy focuses on the upper body, targeting the head, neck, and shoulders—areas most often affected by stress, tension, and fatigue. What makes this therapy so powerful is its elegant fusion of traditional Indian head massage techniques and the warmth of herbal compresses made with Thai botanicals. Steamed cloth pouches filled with turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, kaffir lime, and camphor are applied rhythmically, allowing the heat and herbal medicine to penetrate deeply into the muscles and nervous system.

The result is an exceptional release of physical and emotional tension. The treatment stimulates blood flow, promotes detoxification through lymphatic drainage, and enhances focus and clarity. It also contributes to healthier scalp conditions and even promotes hair growth. These benefits are both immediately felt and long-lasting, making it a popular treatment among professionals, travelers, and wellness seekers alike.
This is one of the many reasons clients consistently return to Nakhon Spa and Loft Thai Spa when searching for the best massage Bangkok has to offer. Our treatments are more than pampering—they are therapeutic journeys designed to elevate both body and mind.
But it’s not only our massages that stand out. Loft Thai Spa is equally renowned for its facial experiences, which have gained a strong reputation as among the best facials in Bangkok. Our facial treatments blend the precision of European skincare science with the nurturing techniques of Thai wellness. We use only premium brands like HydraFacial Syndeo, Guinot, and Filorga, all expertly applied by trained estheticians who tailor every session to your skin’s specific needs.
These facials are not just cosmetic—they address deep skin health issues, from dehydration and dullness to signs of aging and environmental stress. At our EMSPHERE branch and other boutique locations, we’ve created an environment where skincare meets soulful relaxation. Clients enjoy a multisensory experience enhanced by ambient music, aromatherapy, and the signature warm Thai welcome that has become our hallmark.
The performance of Varinraya Ketngam on the world stage is a reflection of our core mission. At Loft Thai Spa and Nakhon Spa, we are committed to preserving Thai traditions while raising the bar of spa experiences globally. We train every therapist in-house through our accredited programs, ensuring that every guest receives the same high standard of care, no matter where they visit us.

To be recognized at a global level, however, is not just about competition. It’s about validation of our continued efforts to elevate Thai massage and facial therapy into a category of luxury and wellness that is respected across cultures. The participation of our master therapist in Copenhagen highlights how Loft Thai Spa and Nakhon Spa are leading this movement—not only through quality service but through innovation, education, and international presence.
Copenhagen, with its relaxed charm and appreciation for health-conscious living, is the perfect backdrop for this celebration of global wellness. The city’s modern yet serene aesthetic mirrors our own approach to spa design. From Bangkok to Scandinavia, the pursuit of well-being is becoming increasingly refined—and Loft Thai Spa is proud to be part of that evolution.
Whether you are a seasoned spa lover or new to wellness treatments, this is the perfect moment to experience what world-class Thai massage feels like. Loft Thai Spa and Nakhon Spa offer a full range of services that integrate ancestral healing with modern therapy, placing us firmly among the best massage Bangkok destinations for discerning clientele. And for those seeking visible, glowing skin supported by scientific skincare, we are also proud to deliver the best facial Bangkok guests could ask for.
We invite all our clients and followers to support Varinraya Ketngam and follow our journey during the 8th World Massage Championship. You’ll find behind-the-scenes updates, video highlights, and insights into our championship preparation across our blog and social media channels. And most importantly, we invite you to visit Loft Thai Spa and Nakhon Spa to discover first-hand what makes our treatments truly award-worthy.
This is not just about a competition. It’s about a global recognition of the healing power of Thai massage. It’s about celebrating a therapist’s dedication, and about welcoming you—our guest—into an experience of care that is crafted with heart, skill, and centuries of wisdom.
UPDATED LOFT THAI GUIDE
Additional guidance and current information
Continue with practical context, current treatment guidance and further reading selected by the Loft Thai editorial team.
From Future Announcement to Verified Event Record
The championship took place in Copenhagen from 27 to 29 June 2025. An article published around the event should now use completed-event records rather than future-tense promotion.
The official participant profile identifies Varinraya Ketngam Charles as a Thai massage therapist living in Paris. It also presents France/Thailand in its heading and notes support from Nakhon Spa Paris.
Those facts document a transnational professional story. They do not, by themselves, establish that she was an official state delegate selected by Thailand.
The Official Programme Places Her in Thai Massage
The day-one programme lists Varinraya Ketngam Charles in the Thai massage category, round two, at table ten. The country shown beside her name is France.
That programme entry is stronger evidence than an unsourced promotional description because it names the participant, category, round and competition listing.
The official results later record a second category, Wellness massage, providing the completed two-day picture.
What the 2025 Result Sheet Actually Records
The published 2025 result sheet lists Varinraya Ketngam Charles under France with a score of 65.25 for Thai massage and 47.6 for Wellness massage.
The reviewed document does not attach a medal or podium notation to her row. This article therefore does not invent a rank, award or title.
Competition scores belong to that event’s format and judging. They should not be converted into a universal measure of a therapist’s clinical skill or the quality of every future treatment.
France, Thailand and the Importance of Precise Language
Varinraya’s official profile says she is Thai and lives in Paris. Its title uses France/Thailand. The programme and final result table list France.
It is reasonable to describe her as a Thai practitioner based in France whose work carries Thai massage knowledge into an international setting.
It is not precise to say that she officially represented Thailand when the competition documents reviewed list France. Cultural identity and administrative competition listing are related but not interchangeable.
The Background Published by the Organiser
The participant profile states that Varinraya graduated from Hattawikorn School in Rayong in 2010 and continued refinement with teachers in France and Thailand.
It lists skills including Nuad Thai, oil massage, herbal compress, hot stones, table massage, deep tissue and face massage.
These details are self-reported in an organiser profile rather than independently audited credentials. Keeping the source visible lets readers understand the level of verification.
What a Massage Competition Can—and Cannot—Show
A championship asks a practitioner to communicate a technique under time, space and judging constraints. Sequencing, body mechanics, guest handling, visual clarity and adaptation may all become visible.
The environment differs from a private spa appointment. There may be observers, fixed rounds, unfamiliar recipients and category criteria.
Participation can support professional exchange and learning, but it is not a medical licence, a government accreditation or proof that one style is superior for every guest.
Thai Massage as Living Heritage
UNESCO inscribed Nuad Thai on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019. The inscription concerns a living system of knowledge, practice and transmission.
Traditional Thai massage uses a wide vocabulary of manual contact and assisted movement. Technique, pressure, rhythm and position must be adapted to the recipient.
An international event can make that vocabulary visible, but cultural heritage is sustained through education, practice, communities and teacher-student relationships—not one weekend alone.
Strong Technique Still Requires Consultation
Competition images can make stretches or leverage look dramatic. In ordinary care, the relevant standard is not visual intensity but suitability for the guest.
A practitioner should ask about recent injury, surgery, pain, pregnancy, osteoporosis, anticoagulant use and other conditions that may require modification or medical advice.
The US NCCIH describes massage as generally low risk when appropriately performed, while noting rare serious adverse events and the need for additional caution with vigorous techniques or higher-risk guests.
What the Archived Event Photograph Shows
The secondary image in this article comes from the project’s original 2025 event archive. It shows Varinraya from behind in Nakhon attire, working on a mat in an active championship hall.
Other practitioners, recipients, judges and equipment remain visible in the background. The photograph has been optimised for the Loft Thai Journal but not used to manufacture a medal, podium or altered identity.
That documentary context is more valuable than replacing the participant with a fictional generated portrait.
What This Update Corrects
The legacy version was written as a pre-event celebration and used phrases such as “represent Thailand” and “most prestigious” without the precision now available from the completed records.
This edition retains the achievement of taking part while identifying the exact categories, scores, country listing and limits of the evidence.
No unverified medal, final rank, medical benefit or official national-delegation status has been added.
The Durable Story Is Practice Across Borders
Varinraya Ketngam Charles’s 2025 participation connects Thai training, professional life in France and an international event in Copenhagen.
The official record shows Thai massage and Wellness massage entries; it also shows why careful language matters when a practitioner’s heritage and competition country are not identical.
Reported accurately, the story needs no exaggerated title. The work, travel and public demonstration already carry significance.
“A competition record becomes more meaningful when participation, category, country listing and outcome are reported separately.”
Loft Thai Editorial Team
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PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Varinraya Ketngam Charles compete in Copenhagen in 2025?
Yes. Official International Massage Association programme and result documents list her at the 2025 World Championship in Massage.
Which categories did she enter?
The official results list Thai massage with a score of 65.25 and Wellness massage with a score of 47.6.
Did she win a medal?
No medal or podium result for her is documented in the official material reviewed, so this article does not claim one.
Did she officially represent Thailand?
The organiser profile describes her as Thai and based in Paris and uses France/Thailand in its title, while the official programme and result sheet list her country as France.
Is the event photograph AI-generated?
No. It is an archived 2025 event photograph from the project’s own media collection, optimised for the Loft Thai Journal without changing the participant’s identity.