During May 5–25, 2026, the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy (Khon Kaen Business School : KKBS) at Khon Kaen University organized the first session of the “100-Hour SPA MANAGER Training Program”. Asst. Prof. Pongsutti Phuensane, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy, presided over the opening ceremony. Jinnapas Dominic, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Asia Pacific Tourism Center and lecturer responsible for the minor in Medical and Health Tourism Business Management, served as the Project Manager. The program took place at the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy, Khon Kaen University.
(Asst. Prof. Pongsutti Phuensane, Ph.D., Dean of KKBS)
(Jinnapas Dominic, Ph.D., Project Manager)
The objective of this training was to enhance the potential of health and spa personnel by providing them with knowledge, understanding, and skills in business management for spa establishments, in accordance with professional standards. It also aimed to increase the number of qualified personnel eligible to apply for a license as an operator in health establishments, specifically spa businesses, as mandated by law. This initiative supports the upgrade of standards within Thailand’s spa and wellness industry.
Throughout the training period, participants received knowledge from distinguished speakers representing government agencies, academia, and the spa and wellness business sectors. The curriculum covered both theoretical and practical aspects of key topics, including laws and professional ethics, health and hygiene, first aid, healthy food and beverages, Thai herbs in spas, facial and body care, aromatherapy, holistic health, hydrotherapy, exercise for health, health promotion through Thai wisdom and therapeutic massage, as well as marketing planning, personal development for spa operators, spa business management, and case studies of successful international spa businesses.
The project successfully trained 17 participants, all of whom completed the program according to the criteria, achieving a 100% completion rate. This outcome reflects the commitment of the participants to developing their knowledge and skills in spa management. The graduates will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in their professional practice, develop their establishments, and elevate the quality of spa and health services in alignment with professional standards and the demands of the continuously growing wellness industry.
(Jinnapas Dominic, Ph.D., Project Leader)
Jinnapas Dominic, Ph.D., the project manager, revealed that the 100-Hour SPA MANAGER Training Program, also known as KKU Spa Manager, is the first such program offered by Khon Kaen University in the Northeastern region. It was established to promote and elevate health and beauty entrepreneurs, enabling them to systematically develop their businesses into standardized health spa services and further expand into the medical and wellness tourism business, which is continuously growing in the Isaan region.
Jinnapas Dominic, Ph.D. further added that the program also plays a crucial role in providing local entrepreneurs access to standardized knowledge and training, thereby reducing the cost barriers associated with business potential development. The Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy (Khon Kaen Business School) at Khon Kaen University hopes that this academic service program will serve as a vital mechanism to support local entrepreneurs in elevating their businesses to national and international standards.
(Nichapa Gojarnsri, Participant)
Meanwhile, Nichapa Gojarnsri, a participant, stated that she decided to join the SPA MANAGER Training Program at the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy (Khon Kaen Business School) due to her confidence in the institution’s quality and standards. She also aimed to apply the acquired knowledge to further develop and expand her spa business. Furthermore, she believes that the spa business in Khon Kaen province and the Northeastern region has significant growth potential, as Khon Kaen is a business and tourism hub in the region, which facilitates the expansion of health and spa businesses in the future.
(Thaphat Sakolkasempan, Participant)
Concurrently, Thaphat Sakolkasempan, a participant, expressed his immense satisfaction with joining the spa operator program. He highlighted that the program offered a comprehensive range of knowledge on spa business operations, encompassing legal aspects, operational standards, relevant practices, and professional spa business management techniques as prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health. Additionally, he appreciated the opportunity to exchange knowledge with faculty members, speakers, and entrepreneurs from various regions, which enriched his perspectives and experiences for business development. He believes that the program is highly beneficial for career advancement and elevating spa businesses, as well as promoting the health and cultural identity of the Northeastern region on a broader scale. He commended the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy (Khon Kaen Business School) at Khon Kaen University for initiating this inaugural program and expressed confidence that participants would gain accurate and professional theoretical and practical knowledge, enabling them to effectively apply it in their future business endeavors.
This project represents another significant mission for the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy (Khon Kaen Business School) at Khon Kaen University, promoting Lifelong Learning and developing quality personnel to support the growth of the health industry, health tourism, and the wellness health economy at both regional and national levels. This initiative aligns with the faculty’s strategies of “Bridging Academia and Industry for Future Success” and “Innovative Revenue Generation Initiatives,” and reflects the organizational values of PRIME, particularly Professionalism and Innovation Focus. Furthermore, it contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which strengthens the means of implementation and revitalizes the global partnership for sustainable development.
News/Photos: Banphod Philaphan
Photos: SPA MANAGER Training Program
