Buddha on your arm?
Tattooing in Thailand is popular. There are numerous tattoo shops for both Thais and foreigners that can provide a tattoo. I personally have nothing with it, I don't have a tattoo myself and I rarely like it on others.
A small butterfly or rose on the shoulder blade is still possible, but I really don't understand people who have had their half or whole body tattooed. You have a lot of "ordinary" tattoos, but in principle it is possible to get the craziest things tattooed on your body. Recently a Swedish acquaintance proudly showed me his latest tattoo, the face of his newborn son, on the inside of his arm, there was just room.
Functional
However, a tattoo can also be functional. A good example of this is my own Thai wife. She underwent a major operation last year and was left with a 25 cm long, vertical scar on her abdomen / stomach area. That scar is now camouflaged by a beautiful flower with a decorated stem by a tattoo.
Less functional and in a way offensive to Buddhism is the growing number of foreigners here in Thailand who get tattooed on the arm, leg, ankle or chest with Buddha images or images of the Hindu god Ganesh. At least that is the opinion of the Thai Minister of Culture, Mr. Nipit Intarasombat and he thinks that measures should be taken against this.
Yantra tattoos
For a good understanding one should know that tattoos occupy a very special place in Thailand. A Thai does not take a tattoo as a fad, but considers his tattoo - just like the amulets - as a spiritual protector. Tattoos with religious or spiritual motifs, called Yantra tattoos, are signs that the Thais take their beliefs seriously.
These tattoos are now also popular among tourists, who usually do it without having the slightest notion of Buddhism and the underlying meaning of those tattoos.
The minister has now indicated that the use of religious objects as tattoo patterns is inappropriate according to Thai tradition and culture and also adversely affects the religious feelings of the Thai people.
Holy image
Mr. Nipit stated that the ministry will approach all provincial governors, especially provinces with high foreign tourists, asking them to inspect tattoo parlors and work to prevent the tattooing of sacred images. The minister then announced that he will ask the Office of the National Commission of Culture to prepare a law that will ban the use of sacred objects or sacred creatures in Buddhism or other religions in tattoos.
I must honestly say that I do understand the position of this Minister, but I do not believe that it is in any way possible to legally prohibit such tattoos.
You didn't see a tattoo much in the past. That's why it was exclusive and indicated that you belonged somewhere. Then I thought it was something. Now so many people are participating that it is especially special if you don't have a tattoo.
The problem with tattoos is also that they become less beautiful over time due to the changes in the skin. As you get older, your skin will droop a bit (less elastic) and that also applies to the tattoo. You then have to look three times to discover what the image represents.
The advantage of a Buddha image is that by then you can say that you had a very old image put on your arm at the time 😉
Thanks Peter,
So I am special.
Henk
It could always be worse: in the Netherlands I once saw someone who had John de Wolf's full-sized head put on his back. ;-))
haha, let's introduce a law in Thailand that everyone with a tattoo is obliged to wear a long-sleeved t-shirt, the problem is also solved 😉
You'll never get that in Pattaya!. But let's at least start there with T-shirts with short sleeves instead of the 'wife beater' shirts! 😉
It is and remains a form of self-mutilation, with the exception of camouflage tattoos. I always have to swallow when I see (especially) men who flaunt their embroidery. And often have no idea of the background or value of the image to other people. Diego Maradona has a tattoo of Che Guevara. Was a very unsavory man and murderer. But Maradonnna also has the brains of a flattened mosquito.
Every person has the right to do what he wants with his body and there are currently no bigger problems to solve in Thailand than a few farangs with tattoos .
And if they take their culture and religion so seriously why do I always get strange looks from Thais when I tell them during conversations about Buddhism that alcohol and eating meat are forbidden for Buddhists even though Thailand is in the top 5 in the world in terms of alcohol addiction .
And I can tell from experience that many Thais themselves know very little about Buddhism and it is not a religion, but an attitude to life and not the unique property of Thailand.
Where the tattoo studios are now, you will find laser studios in 10 years to have them removed again 😉
I also don't understand those people who let themselves be engraved, Gringo! I'm a psychologist, so I should be able to fathom, understand, explain people's motivation, but I haven't understood those people for years. When I sometimes ask someone who sees full tattoos about their motivation, the answer is always that they "just like it". There are probably now also people who “just like” to have a Buddha installed. Perhaps we should let Mr. Nipit know that he shouldn't take it too seriously, and that it's “just fun”…..
I'm not a psychologist but I do understand the reasons for getting a lot of tattoos. (I don't have a tattoo myself).
Just look at the discovery channel program Miami Ink, I don't like it but have seen it regularly because it is repeated far too often.
They are mainly people who have experienced something shocking and want to have a memory of it for life. Getting a tattoo is a kind of healing with the psychiatrist for them.
Doesn't seem that difficult for a psychologist to me.
In NL, today's wearers can often be found in circles with a heavy gold chain around their neck.
Just like that gold chain, the tattoo also has to do with a certain self-image, I think.
No polonaise on my body, with my red hair I stand out enough.
Plus, I don't want to burden my (hopefully) future grandchildren with
a grandpa who, literally, looks colored.
A beautiful Thai woman with all kinds of tattoos has a strong libido-lowering effect on me…..
What a hassle for a tattoo.
Let everyone have their own opinion and do what they want.
Turn a blind eye if something is in your turn or enjoy this is also art.
Some are beautiful.
A flower on a letter yes is good is good kamoflage.
If everything sags a bit with age, that also has its charm.
Who is perfect not me and I think there are several .
they will certainly also ban buddha necklaces because that is what I see most walking around with, it seems to me a very bad idea for the Thai entrepreneurs who see their turnover falling
The Minister has since withdrawn his words, he has been misquoted or at least misunderstood.
He now thinks that religious tattoos do not fit if they are applied to the legs and/or ankles.
He added that all foreigners with or without (religious) tattoos are welcome in Thailand as always.
@ he chooses eggs for his money. His sayings have gone all over the world. Now he is concerned about the effect of his statements. Well, in NL politicians do the same. Afraid of image damage.
Once saw 2 retired Hells Angels walking in PTY.
The skin literally hung on their decrepit bodies, the tough tattoos were very ridiculous at the time.
Think carefully about what you do with your body!
Henk