Songkhla Nakarin news

The Halal Institute of Prince of Songkla University held the official opening ceremony of the Halal Spa Learning Center, alongside the 15th anniversary celebration of the Halal Institute. The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Arun Boonchom, the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand. Also in attendance were Mrs. Patimoh Sadeeyamu, Governor of Pattani Province, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Keawpradub, President of Prince of Songkla University, together with university executives, representatives from the private sector, religious organizations, entrepreneurs, and more than 150 participants. The event marked an important platform for strengthening cooperation among the public sector, private sector, and civil society. The shared goal is to support sustainable economic and social development based on halal identity, while contributing to Thailand’s policy of becoming an international health and wellness hub. The event took place at the Halal Spa Learning Center and the Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, on April 27, 2026.

Key activities included a panel discussion on “The Future of Thai Massage and Halal Spa Business Toward Recognition in the Global Muslim Market,” an exhibition showcasing the Halal Institute’s achievements over the past 15 years, and the official opening ceremony of the Halal Spa Learning Center. Over the past 15 years, the Halal Institute has played an important role in advancing Thailand’s halal industry through research, innovation, and human resource development. Its work has gained recognition both nationally and internationally.

Mr. Arun Boonchom, the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, said the establishment of the Halal Spa Learning Center reflects Thailand’s progress in expanding halal standards into new dimensions of wellness services. He noted that the center will help build confidence among service users from Thailand and abroad, while serving as an important model for the future of Thailand’s halal society. He added that the opening of the center is a significant step in expanding halal work into the wellness service sector, an industry with strong potential and rapid global growth. The center will serve as an important mechanism to raise spa service standards in full alignment with Islamic principles, including hygiene, products used in services, ethics, and service etiquette.

The Sheikhul Islam further emphasized that, beyond building confidence among Muslim communities, the center will also help present the values and beauty of halal principles to the wider global community. He said that throughout the past 15 years, the Halal Institute of Prince of Songkla University has contributed significantly to research development, halal standard enhancement, and continuous partnership-building. The opening of the Halal Spa Learning Center is therefore not only the opening of a new building, but also the opening of new opportunities for local people. It will help create jobs, generate income, and support the southern border provinces in moving toward a creative economy with stable and sustainable growth.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Keawpradub, President of Prince of Songkla University, said that over the past 15 years, the Halal Institute has served as a key mechanism in connecting halal principles with science, innovation, and services. This has created academic, research, and economic value, particularly in strengthening the grassroots economy. He said the opening of the Halal Spa Learning Center represents another important step for the university in becoming a leader in halal wellness and responding to the needs of the global wellness tourism industry. The center, he said, will not be merely a service or training facility. It will serve as a learning and knowledge development center that integrates traditional health care practices with safety standards based on Islamic principles. It will also create career opportunities, develop human resources, and enhance the capacity of local entrepreneurs to grow sustainably.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Asman Taeali, Director of the Halal Institute of Prince of Songkla University, spoke about the institute’s strategy to elevate halal spa businesses in Thailand. He said the building received construction funding in 2021 and was developed as a comprehensive halal wellness center. Its missions include workforce training, research and innovation in health products, holistic halal health services, product distribution, and serving as a national model learning site. The building is divided into two main areas. The first floor operates as a health service center under the name “HAVANI & Wellness.” It provides holistic health care services combining Thai traditional medicine, physical therapy, and nutrition therapy, with clearly separated areas for men and women in accordance with religious principles. The second floor serves as a training and knowledge transfer center. It offers professional courses in halal spa and wellness, including Langkasuka oil massage based on halal practices, Ayurvedic herbal head massage, and health product development in laboratory settings.

Since 2017, the Halal Institute of Prince of Songkla University has continuously developed personnel through Muslim-friendly massage training programs, while also supporting the development of community-based products. The Halal Spa Learning Center is therefore another important step in becoming a trusted source of knowledge, creating career opportunities, and strengthening communities and society in a sustainable way.