Coming back from Thailand with a new tattoo is almost as popular as other souvenirs, and walking around on a beach in Thailand, you wouldn’t be mistaken for thinking that the majority of beachgoers were inked. If you’re planning a trip to Thailand and considering getting a tattoo on your trip but unsure about how safe it is in this foreign culture, we’ve got your back.
Like any other country, there are safe and professional salons in Thailand where you can get tattooed using clean and sterile equipment in a safe environment. There are also less hygienic tattoo parlors, and finding one which adheres to standards that you’re comfortable with requires research.
In short, though, yes, you can get a tattoo in Thailand in a safe environment. With health and safety laws more relaxed than what you might be used to in your own country, this will require some research. How you can do this and what kind of tattoos are safer than others are some of what we’re about to find out.
Is getting inked in Thailand safe to do?
While tattoos have a rich history in Thailand, it doesn’t mean that every Thai tattoo studio you will come across are well-practiced professionals. Thailand has both traditional and modern methods of tattooing, making it appealing to those who are amateurs and those who are committed to the practice or want a more meaningful tattoo and are choosing Thailand specifically for a certain inking experience.
Not only are there tattoo parlors tucked away between noodle shops and bars in popular tourist areas, making them very accessible, but they are also a lot cheaper than getting tattoos done in many Western countries, such as Australia, or in Europe. Whether you pick a method or a location that is safe or not comes down mostly to doing the proper research, as you would for a surgery or anything else you undertake that could have health-related or permanent implications.
So how do you make sure that you find a safe studio in which to get your ink done? The Thai Ministry of Public Health does issue a certification that states the name of the studio owner, with their picture, and the name of the studio. These are usually on display for the public to see and indicate that the studio has met the regulations laid out by the government, which command adherence to several specific health and hygiene-related regulations.
Further, safety also refers to pre, during, and post-care involved in getting a tattoo. Make sure that the studio that you pick fully explains these to you – if you’ve already done your research, you’ll know what kind of advice they should be giving, which will help you to judge how seriously they take your safety. The studio should provide you with the after-care products that you need in order to heal properly, so asking questions around this during your pre-tattoo consultation can be helpful.
Is it disrespectful to get a Thai tattoo?
The majority of Thai people practice Buddhism. In Thai culture, the head is sacred, and the feet are profane. Often, getting a foreign script or imagery as a tattoo is popular – a sign that one has traveled or really feels connected to another culture in a certain way. It should be noted that getting a Buddhist symbol or script tattooed below the belt or on one’s feet is a sign of disrespect.
If you have or get such a tattoo while you are in Thailand, it would be respectful not to display it. Even if you don’t display the tattoo, simply asking a Thai person to tattoo this on you is considered to be disrespectful. While some tattoo artists will do anything for money because they really need it, putting them in a position that might compromise their beliefs or where you are unknowingly asking them to choose between respecting their religion and making money to feed their family is not fair.
It is a good idea to be mindful of this if you’re considering such a tattoo and where on your body you get it done. Similarly, some traditional designs are associated with dark magic, and so if getting one of these done, be aware of the context in which you are choosing this tattoo.
Dos and don’ts of getting a tattoo (in Thailand)
Don’t
- Ask your artist to simply copy another’s work – it can be considered rude
- Be disrespectful about the tattoos you choose and offend the locals – both in the design and in the placement or location of the tattoo
- Get a tattoo in a highly visible place such as neck, face, or hands, unless you have seriously considered the implications this may have
- Assume that your tattoo artist speaks English well and has a clear idea of what you want after a verbal consultation – make sure that you spell check/sight check the image before it’s inked into your skin permanently
- Expect to get a quality job done if you’re not prepared to put in the research or want to get a tattoo at the lowest possible price. Yes, they are cheaper in Thailand than in other places, but that can also indicate a difference in quality.
Do
- Go with an idea of what you want to get done
- If you’re getting a traditional tattoo, do your research into what the symbol or design actually means
- Consider the impact of getting a tattoo – including what it is and where it is
- Make sure that the studio has good health and safety practices. Research where to get it done, the reputation of the artist, and the hygiene conditions that the parlor adheres to. Studios that are safe, popular, and talented are harder to come by and do take some research to find.
- Have a consultation before being tattooed – any reputable studio will encourage this so that you can talk to the artist, discuss your thoughts and motivations and perhaps make some changes or make some suggestions that the artist has to give
Thai tattoos: Sak Yant
Sak, meaning ‘to tap’ or ‘to tattoo’, and Yant, meaning ‘yantra’, or the mystical diagram, is the traditional form of tattooing in Thailand. Steeped in religious and spiritual associations, if you want such a tattoo, you need to visit a temple and work on the design with a master of the craft. Well, this is the original way. This form of tattooing is done by a Buddhist monk with a variety of tools and rituals during a ceremony. Using a two-foot-long piece of sharpened bamboo or a needle, stabs are repeatedly made into the skin. It can therefore be more painful and take longer than a regular tattoo.
Because of the necessary level of spirituality required for this, the time commitment and also language barriers mean that this is less popular amongst tourists. If this is something that you are considering getting done, once again, do your research well, as these are not typically performed in a tattoo studio with the requisite national health and hygiene standards. Find a reputable temple rather, preferably in bigger cities such as Bangkok, where they are likely to be more frequently done.
An easier and safer way to a Sak Yant tattoo is by finding a studio that will do these traditional tattoos using a tattoo gun. Not all do, though, and part of the significance of these tattoos and respect for the practice and art form surrounding them is in the traditional method. It can be considered disrespectful to the masters that perform these and to the symbols of protection, luck, power, and courage.
Conclusion
Getting a tattoo in Thailand can absolutely be safe; it is just a question of doing the appropriate research and ensuring that the studio you pick adheres to the hygiene regulations laid out by the government. Going for a consultation beforehand, asking questions, and seeing their equipment is the best idea to get a sense of whether you’re comfortable getting a tattoo there. You’ll be doing holiday research anyway if you’re planning a trip there, so if you’d like to get a tattoo there, add this to your homework, and you’re all set!
Sources
https://text.npr.org/137228187
https://www.pitbulltattoothailand.com/tattoo-knowledge/ultimate-guide-getting-tattoo-thailand/
https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/top-10/top-10-tips-for-tattoos-in-thailand
