Massag-ee?

Good news for massage and spa establishments:

Soon, women in Singapore can have a massage performed by a male masseur in a shared facility with men.

She could also be sipping wine in a spa at 3am.

But these changes may only be seen in less than 3 percent of current massage establishments which hold a category 1 licence.

This is given to those who are members of the Spa Association Singapore, with at least half their health therapists and masseurs having professional qualifications.

I guess we won’t see young lads chasing down taxis and throwing xiaojie cards at them anytime soon, as “Operators who dabble in vice activities will have their licence revoked after two infringements within two years.”

• 20 Oct 2004