A massage 'World Cup' attracted hundreds of rub-down pros at a tournament in Thailand.

Local and international masseurs competed in the third edition of the 'World Association Nuad Thai Championship' during the Krabi Wellness Festival in Krabi province on May 17 and 18.

Footage shows the contestants employing various stretches as they showed their massage skills to judges at the Krabi Campus gymnasium.

They did extreme pilates and yoga stretches lying on top of their clients. One masseur was seen daintily waving his hands as he danced on another person's back, while another brought along a contraption in which he suspended his customer's legs.

The World Association of Nuad Thai and Spa said the tournament aimed to 'develop the potential and standards of Nuad Thai massage to an international level'.

Local media reported that 372 contestants competed in four categories. They were Thai massage for health, inspiration, sports and for the visually impaired.

The winners were Panadda Sinsawat, Udom Deveeloh, Sansak Chokprasertnam, and Pichian Buayol for each event respectively.

This year's event is the third iteration. The previous two tournaments were held in Switzerland and Japan.

Traditional Thai massage is a UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage.

UNESCO described the practice as a 'non-medicinal remedy and manual therapy' that treats ailments by manipulating energy flow through 'sen' energy lines throughout the body.

The practice has its roots in traditional village healers who would perform massages for workers aching from field work, UNESCO said.

However, Thai massage has become best known in recent years for its signature 'happy endings', a sexual service that is often performed in exchange for tips mid-way through the massage.