Tattoo Guide
Everything you need to know about getting a tattoo in Pattaya — from sacred Sak Yant to modern machine work.
Types of Tattoos
Sak Yant (Sacred Tattoo)
Traditional Thai sacred tattoo applied by Buddhist monks or Ajarns using a metal rod (Mai Sak). Believed to provide protection, luck, and power. Each design has specific meaning and rules.
Machine Tattoo (Western Style)
Standard tattoo machine work. Wide range of styles available: realism, watercolor, geometric, Japanese, minimalist. Quality varies hugely between shops.
Bamboo Tattoo
Traditional hand-poked technique using bamboo. Gentler healing, popular for small designs. Less painful than machine work but takes longer.
UV / Blacklight Tattoo
Ink that glows under UV/blacklight. Popular in nightlife-heavy cities like Pattaya. Limited color options, may fade faster.
Top Tattoo Studios
Tattoo Legacy Pattaya
Iron Ink Tattoo
Mad Monkey Tattoo
Pattaya Ink Tattoo
Bamboo Tattoo Pattaya
Full Moon Tattoo
Hygiene Checklist
- New, sealed needles opened in front of you
- Artist wears disposable gloves (changed if touched non-sterile surfaces)
- Ink poured into single-use cups (not directly from bottle)
- Workstation cleaned with disinfectant before and after
- Autoclave sterilization equipment visible
- Artist willing to show their hygiene setup if asked
- Licensed and registered with local authorities
- Portfolio of healed work available (not just fresh photos)
Sak Yant Rules & Etiquette
Each Sak Yant master (Ajarn) may have different specific rules. These are the most common:
- Don't speak badly of your mother or any woman
- Don't eat star fruit, gourd, or pumpkin (varies by Ajarn)
- Don't sit under a clothesline with women's clothes
- Don't pass under low structures (some lineages)
- Don't let others touch your tattoo area for 3 days
- Maintain the 5 Buddhist precepts