Is accreditation necessary for Thai massage?

[Stainton]

Hello all. I have a question.

I'm studying traditional Thai massage and medicine here in Thailand, which is ayurvedic in nature, and has nothing to do with western medicine (i.e.: USA and its schools).

My question is: is accreditation mandatory?

All of this talk of accreditation seems to be recent since I have known many people in the past who opened their own business (little more than a suitcase and a business card) as on call massage therapists and they made good money helping people.

My goal is to have a little clinic that I can help people through maybe 3 times a week, with weekends as volunteer work to help the elderly and disabled.

I do not see how studying for exams that relate to western ideals and principles, which I don't really care for, can apply to ayurveda-based therapies. Is it possible to simply finish my school here and leagally open my little clinic without having to deal with all of this nonsense?

If accreditation is necessary, can I work first for myself while accruing the hours needed to meet accreditation/certification?

Thanks all!