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You can't ignore it in Thailand: you can walk into a Tattoo Shop on every street corner. You can of course opt for an electric tattoo machine, but that is for newbies. The real enthusiast goes for the bamboo tattoo in Thailand.

Yes, even Angelina Jolie flew to Thailand especially to have her silky soft skin treated with a chopstick including a needle and some ink.

In Thailand, bamboo tattoos are mainly found among Buddhist monks who put religious texts on their bodies. These would protect the wearer against diseases and other disasters. Nowadays, tourists can still get tattooed by monks in temples (for a hefty fee). Complete with rituals such as incense and other blessings, so that you are completely the male (or female) afterwards.

You have to sit down for it because it is a time-consuming method, with a machine it is of course faster. However, the bamboo tattoo also has advantages. It would be less painful than the regular machine method because the needle goes less deep and there is less friction. A bamboo tattoo therefore heals faster.

What are you waiting for?

Video: Bamboo tattoo in Thailand

Watch the video of a bamboo tattoo in Chiang Mai here:

9 Responses to “Bamboo tattoo in Thailand (video)”

  1. Hermann says up

    Never wanted tattoos until I discovered the Sak Yant and went to a Wat near Udon Thani with my love. In 4 hours with, in this case steel pens, 2 beautiful Sak Yants on my back. Then the monk proved my invulnerability by hitting my back with a machete…
    I am very happy with it, not very painful. Sitting still for long periods of time was especially difficult. There is a good chance that I will visit the Wat again soon. It's true, once a tattoo or in this case a Collaboration Yant, you want more.
    Found a beautiful book about Sak Yant 'Thai Magic Tattoos' the art and influence of sak Yant by Isabel Azevedo Drouyer and René Drouyer. Many beautiful photos, background information and history about Sak Yants.

  2. Yes says up

    Not too expensive. here is one that does it for 300 thb per session..a session normally takes about 4 to 6 hours With a large tattoo you need a few sessions.but rarely more than 3 or 4…..do the math..dirt cheap for an original Thai tattoo if you ask me….Beautiful work

  3. joke shake says up

    I have many tattoos in different places, and I recently had one done on my back like this, and honestly, it was the most painful ever of many.

    • henry henry says up

      I also had a beautiful tattoo on my back by a monk in bkk
      I had previously had 2 tattoos placed in the modern way (elecctic).
      but the real thai tattoo hurt incredibly, i was going to get 3…but it stayed at 1.
      I couldn't move my arm for 3 days, it bothered me so much,
      but the Tattoo is very beautiful. And my wife (Thai) also has it

  4. keespattaya says up

    I will never get a tattoo myself. But everyone has to decide this for themselves. I know a lady who came to Pattaya about 10 years ago to work at a bar in Drinking Street. No tattoo at all. A few years later also such a large tattoo on her back. Also seated at the temple the old fashioned way. It was quite painful, she told me. Which didn't stop her from taking several more afterwards. Nice lady of now 45 who cooks for me once every holiday. Usually Phat mama kii mao talay.

  5. Michael says up

    Two years ago I had a Sak Yant installed through “Sak Yant Chiang Mai”, an office just on the outside of old Chiang Mai. I paid, converted, about 100 euros, for the people of the office and then also for the sacrifice (in a temple just outside Chiang Mai). All in all a good price, if you count that you would pay the multiple in Belgium. I also had a private guide for that money who drove me to the temple and guided me and showed me around. I thought it was a bit more painful than a normal tattoo, although that could also be due to the location (upper back and neck), but it was indeed read very quickly. Nothing but good memories.

    I actually want to go back as soon as possible, but it won't be for the first few months, sigh. Though that is another matter. LOL

  6. KhunEli says up

    Just a small correction on machine tattoo or bamboo: I also wanted to have a sak yant done with the classic method……. Couldn't because my skin was too thin.

    By the way, I have another tip: in Bangkok Noi is http://www.thaitattoocafe.com are very good and I have no shares.

  7. PEER says up

    Khrub,
    I have been coming to Thailand for about 20 years, and then you see many temples with monks who have religious tattoos.
    But also tourists with all kinds of tattoos, from pictures, bhuddas and cartoon characters. Those “tribals” have also been in fashion for a while, but that is already “out”
    I think: "why not"
    But first I turned on my light and started on the internet.
    I came across Rosanne Hetzberger's site. She wrote an article in the NRC:
    “Tattoos, the ultimate contempt for the body”
    Of course I'm curious, because a tattoo is great, isn't it?
    Read the story in its entirety! Consequence: No, I will never have a tattoo placed on the largest organ of my body.
    Everyone is in charge of their own skin and I allow them to decide for themselves, so I will not judge anyone with their "eternal" decision

  8. Lessram says up

    I am also attached to the Sak Yant tattoos. I have 4 on my body now

    Ha Taew (5 lines on shoulder) most common
    the 9 line, (in from center of the neck)
    the tigers, (Thai Boxers wear those a lot)
    and a rarer one that I haven't come across anywhere else)

    The past 4 trips 1 each time, and I'm already looking for the next one, because I keep liking the images.
    They are all set with machine (which really makes the lines a bit tighter and more refined) But definitely want to have one set in the traditional way.

    And really it's just what you like. One thinks it's mutilation, the other art. I think it's beautiful, although I know that they will look much less beautiful in 20 years. But well, by then my body also looks (even) less beautiful.


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