BERLIN, GERMANY – A Berlin court ordered a 53-year-old Thai masseuse to pay €1,000 in damages to a male client after she sexually touched him during a treatment against his will.
Client reports unwanted sexual touching
The 26-year-old German software developer Ben had filed a complaint after the incident in a massage salon on Osloer Straße. He reported the incident to police two days later, saying he had initially lacked the strength to confront the masseuse on site.
Clear promise of non-erotic treatment
Ben told the Berlin tabloid B.Z. that he had explicitly booked a back massage by phone and had gone to the studio alone. He said he was reassured by a sign at the entrance that, according to media reports, stated “no erotic services, only medical treatments,” clearly ruling out any kind of “happy ending.”
Alleged breach of boundaries in the treatment room
In the massage room, the masseuse Sukanya, aged 53, first asked him to take off his trousers, which he found unusual but attributed to the use of massage oil. According to his account, she began the agreed back massage but then touched him in the intimate area against his will.
Offer of sexual service and delayed reaction
Ben further reported that the masseuse later offered him a sexual service, which he clearly refused. He said he felt so overrun in the situation that he did not immediately end the treatment and left the salon without making a direct complaint.
Police complaint for sexualised violence
At home, he said he initially withdrew before deciding to file a complaint. Two days after the massage, he lodged a criminal complaint for sexualised violence, triggering the investigation.
Court settlement and apology
In court, Sukanya stated that she had assumed the client wanted an erotic massage and apologised to Ben in person.
“I assumed the customer wanted an erotic massage.”
said Sukanya, the accused masseuse.
The court decided under a settlement that she must pay €1,000 in compensation to Ben within six months.
Legal significance of consent
The ruling underlined that sexual acts without explicit consent are considered an assault, regardless of the service context. Legal experts stressed that the burden of proof in such cases was often difficult, but that the victim had strengthened his position by reporting the incident promptly.
Role of the apology in resolving the case
The personal apology by the accused in court played a key role in reaching the out-of-court agreement. It enabled a quicker resolution without a lengthy criminal trial.
Backlash in Thai online networks
The case triggered strong criticism of Sukanya in Thai social networks, where users feared damage to their country’s reputation abroad. Commentators accused her of undermining the standing of traditional Thai massage and harming therapists who offer only legitimate medical treatments.
Concerns for the Thai massage industry
Associations for traditional Thai massage in Germany expressed concern about negative consequences for the entire sector. They emphasised that professional Thai massage is a recognised healing method with a centuries-old tradition that has nothing to do with erotic services.
Branched response: standards and certifications
Many reputable massage salons now explicitly advertise certifications and clear codes of conduct to distance themselves from dubious providers. Their aim is to preserve customer trust and protect the image of traditional Thai massage.