Thai women with tattoos

December 13, 2017 - Reading time: 8 minutes

On our website we list tattoos as a warning sign when getting involved with a Thai lady. On the face of it this may seem judgmental, but it is not without very good reason. Tattoos are seen differently in Thailand as they are in other parts of the world.

Tattoos in western countries are now firmly a part of pop culture. The days when tattoos were only seen on bikers, sailors and criminals are now long gone. In the west, tattoos are no longer a cause of stigma, they can be found on people from all walks of life and positions in society. Many high-profile celebrities wear tattoos, and it’s not uncommon for those in respected positions to have tattoos in the USA and Europe.

In Thailand the situation is quite different. Traditional Thai culture is reserved and conservative, though we would forgive you for assuming otherwise after spending a few nights drinking in Pattaya or any other night life area of Thailand. Many of the older generations in Thailand frown upon tattoos. The exception to this being sak yant, also known as “magic tattoos”, which are believed to offer the wearer protection and good fortune. These are seen differently than images which have no religious significance.

Sak yant tattoos

Sak yant tattoo: This design represents the The Paed Tidt Yant, which is said to give its wearer protection in any direction which they travel. It is also believed to ward off evil spirits. The text contained on this design is ancient Khmer text known as Khom. Sak yant is believed by many Thai people, and especially those in rural areas, to provide protection and good fortune. After a sak yant tattoo has been completed it is typically blessed by a monk.

Full coverage: This man has an impressive collection of traditional Thai sak yant tattoos.

However, sak yant tattoos are traditionally seen on Thai men. You will struggle to find sak yant, or any type of tattoo on an elderly Thai woman in the massive rural areas of Thailand. The designs are often popular with bar girls working in Pattaya, Phuket, Bangkok, and similar places, and many foreigners also get sak yant tattoos during their time in Thailand.

Thousands of foreigners travel to Thailand every year and get sak yant tattoos themselves. Many people seek out tattoos which are poked by hand using bamboo and blessed by a monk afterwards. Many tattooists prefer to use tattoo machines as it is faster and easier; and some foreigners even get sak yant tattoos from tattoo shops in Thailand, which is a less authentic experience. If you decide to get any tattoo in Thailand we recommend that you examine the hygiene standards and judge for yourself whether they are adequate - specifically, make sure that a fresh needle (or bamboo) is being used.

Fashion tattoos in Thailand

‘Fashionable’ tattoos, or any imagery aside from sak yant, tend to be frowned on by many elderly people in Thailand. If you’re talking about a young Thai girl, this will possibly include her parents, grandparents and extended family. She may have actually isolated members of her family by getting tattooed.

Ordinary tattoos in Thailand are often influenced by Western culture, and many of the designs that you would find in north America or Europe (besides sak yant designs) can be seen on Thai people.

Tattoos worn by prostitutes in Thailand

Whilst we can’t demonstrate this statistically, we know from experience that a huge bulk of women with ink have previously been involved with the sex industry. Tattoos and women working in the sex industry in Thailand tend to go hand in hand. Some people have even described tattoos as being indicative of a Thai lady that has previously worked in the sex industry.

Tattoos on the chest area above the lady’s breasts are common, as well as wrist, arms, and back tattoos. Many bar girls and dancers spend a lot of money and effort on their tattoos, and anyone that spends time in the night life areas of Pattaya is likely to notice this at some point.

While there are no set designs which are associated with the sex industry, if your Thai girlfriend has tattoos which contain profanity (swear words), or references to sex, this would be a red flag that she may have a background of working in the nightlife scene.

If your Thai girlfriend has tattoos of other men’s names, then this would be a clear sign that she has a history of romantic relationships with foreigners.

Thai girl butterfly tattoos

The word “butterfly” in the Thai nightlife scene is often used to describe a man that spends time with multiple different Thai ladies, without committing to any one specifically. A “butterfly” might only spend one night with a Thai lady before moving on to another.

We have seen many people draw a link between this word and Thai women having tattoos of butterflies… We do not believe that most women sporting butterflies have these tattoos for any deeper meaning. “Fashion tattoos” are just that, and usually exist for their design rather than any significant or deep meaning.

Are attitudes changing towards tattoos?

As time goes on, we believe that attitudes towards tattoos in Thai culture are gradually shifting. We are slowly seeing more and more young Thai women (and men) decide to decorate their bodies with tattoos. Whether these Thai people are influenced by Western culture and seeing tattoos on movies or TV, we don’t know, however there is definitely a growing attraction to tattoos for many Thai people, and many Thai people do not regard tattoos with negativity or stigma – some people don’t care. Whether or not this trend will be continued into the future remains to be seen.

Learn more about bar girl investigations.

Tattoo stigma in Thailand

The sex industry is stigmatized in Thai culture. It is not an acceptable occupation in Thailand and the lowest possible step of the social class ladder. Ask yourself, why would a Thai lady tattoo herself, when in doing so she marks a potential involvement with the sex industry?

The attitude towards non-religious tattoos in Thailand is gradually shifting. Younger generations are becoming more and more tolerant of the practice as they’re exposed to it through western media, the internet, and meeting tattooed foreigners in person. There are Thai ladies with ink out there that have never been involved with the sex trade and simply enjoy this style of art work. However, this type of woman is generally in the minority.

For the time being at least, tattoos are largely stigmatized by older generations of Thais. While we wouldn’t suggest condemning someone based solely on their appearance, the presence of tattoos can be a contributing factor when judging the character of a Thai lady. It may act as a sign that the lady has a history working in nightlife areas or breaking social norms.

If you're starting to get involved with a Thai lady, all is not lost. If you have suspicions that she may be sleeping with other men while you're out of the country, or that she is already in another relationship, get in touch with us. We can put your mind at ease and probably for cheaper than you might think. Simply send us a message with the details of your situation and we'll reply to you with a free, no obligation quote. Please be sure to mention the area where you require us to work and any other relevant details.