What is up with tattoos and tourists / expats here?

[KhaoHom]

8 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

The Mid 1800's just called - they want their opinionated misers back !!! 

 

Seriously though - Op, where are socialising to meet so many with tatts ??... The Blue Oyster Bar on Navy Night ?

 

 

 

 

All the tourists on 4 and cowboy sure. Then there are the peter pans that live in Thailand decade plus and are down there a few times a week. It's their entire social world. Some even live there like in Sarangjai and Omni or whatever that condo is up soi 4. 

[KhaoHom]

Face and neck tattoos.

 

Seen a good looking Thai kid all tatted up on MRT. Had a neck tatt. Good looking kid. Probably doing only flans or the fam just gives him cash.

 

Before anyone thinks I'm a prude I've pretty much seen it all and done it all. I'm not shocked more like disappointed in humanity. I'd probably feel much better about it if they were attractive and or had some real meaning.

 

They are all blurry 😳

 

I swear many years ago I wanted to buy a laser and start a tattoo removal clinic in Pattaya

[Stocky]

11 hours ago, Maxbkkcm said:

In the West for instance, you almost never see those.

Your eyes must be painted on. Just back from a trip to the UK and the place is awash with ink, airport departure lounge ink everywhere. Here in Hat Yai I see far fewer people with tattoos, particularly large ones. Personally I find tattoos, especially the large ones, ugly and disfiguring, but understand that that is increasingly a minority view.

 

[Cameroni]

30 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

What's even more annoying is the number with a tattoo on their chest!  It seems like pretty much the trashiest place for a girl to get a tat, but it seems really popular in Thailand.

 

I've seen t hat as well. Giant eagles on the chest, or written stuff. Really sad.

 

 

[Cameroni]

24 minutes ago, jayboy said:

It's primarily a class matter.

 

It's also about upbringing. I spoke with a Thai girl from a very poor family, but her uncle was a monk. He forbade to ever get tattoos. So she didn't.

 

Parents and family are important.

[Tiger1980]

Up to about 25-30 yrs ago the only females that iI noticed with a tattoo were bar girls. Now while it’s more of a fashion statement, I personally do not like them on females and still tend to think of them as ladies of the night.

[NativeBob]

35 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

I swear many years ago I wanted to buy a laser and start a tattoo removal clinic in Pattaya

After certain events in the Middle East the more profitable clinic will be "foreskin restoration" but nothing bits "restoration of virginity". Seriously, I met one Israeli "doctor" who runs that one. 

[Cameroni]

Just now, Tiger1980 said:

Up to about 25-30 yrs ago the only females that iI noticed with a tattoo were bar girls. Now while it’s more of a fashion statement, I personally do not like them on females and still tend to think of them as ladies of the night.

 

Exactly the same here. It's not just that subconsciously it screams "prostitute", even if she's a barista, but all those tattoos mean something to her. The name of an ex boyfriend, a child, a family member or some such. You just don't want to see that. If it's your own name, okay.

 

I actually had a Filipina who tatooed the name of an America 60 year old black guy she had never met on herself. Bad call.

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

I swear many years ago I wanted to buy a laser and start a tattoo removal clinic in Pattaya

they exist already

 

https://www.doctoryadaclinic.com/helios-laser-and-tattoo-removal-laser-in-pattaya/#:~:text=Helios Laser and Tattoo Removal | Doctor Yada Clinic Pattaya

[save the frogs]

13 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

40% of western guys under 40 have them. 

 

exactly.

when i was growing up, it was mostly metalheads / criminals / bikers.

but nowadays, you're probably considered a geek if you're young and have no tattoos.

 

just read that 45 million americans have at least one tattoo. 

 

people are making a big deal about it. the culture around tattoos has changed. 

 

[soi3eddie]

58 minutes ago, jayboy said:

 

It's primarily a class matter.Both in the West and Thailand the upper/upper middle class tend not to have them.The situation is slightly different with the under 30's but not that much.Most people don't want a tattooed accountant/lawyer/doctor working for them.Prostitutes and soldiers/sailors have always had tattoos.Here in Thailand most of the young Western male visitors are from the lower classes, and thus have plenty of ink.

 

I know the OP discusses expats/tourists. From what I'm aware, if you see Thai men with loads of tattoos it is very likely they have done serious jail time. I always give them a wide berth, and would never want to diss them. What do Thais think about foreigners with tatoos?

 

After writing above, I searched for reference. What I found here aligns with my comments:   https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30278152

 

 

[jayboy]

11 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

nowadays, you're probably considered a geek if you're young and have no tattoos

 

Considered by who? Inked up losers?

 

The best and brightest of young people, the ones that are going places in life, tend not to have tattoos

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, jayboy said:

 

Considered by who? Inked up losers?

 

The best and brightest of young people, the ones that are going places in life, tend not to have tattoos

 

A lot of famous actors and singers have them. Maybe athletes too.

And they have undoubtedly influenced a lot of youth to get them. 

I think your mentality might be stuck in the old days where only Hells Angels would have prominent tattoos. 

Times have changed. 

45 Million Americans have tattoos. This means a lot of them are probably doctors and lawyers, not just low-class workers. 

I don't have them. I never got into it. I never understood the need for one, but I'm no spring chicken either. The craze started when I got older. 

 

[Maxbkkcm]

6 minutes ago, jayboy said:

 

Considered by who? Inked up losers?

 

The best and brightest of young people, the ones that are going places in life, tend not to have tattoos

100% tattoos is a poison. Just like drugs and tiktok.

[save the frogs]

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[Patong2021]

I believe the OP is referring to the people who are very inked up, and have the neck and face decor. And yes, they seem to be heavily concentrated in some areas of Thailand.  And yes, the heavily inked people do demonstrate a series of  characteristics that sets them apart, like walking about with no shirt in public places. The heavy inking accompanied body piercing and the giant holes in ears. Some people want to be noticed.

 

Tattoos are one of the most regrettable fashion trends of the past 20 years. They are cool at 19, 20 even 25. They are creepy and  depressing when the  ink starts to drift and the flesh sags at age 50 and older.  The biggest trend now, is the introduction of tattoo removal lasers at tattoo  parlors. 

[NorthernRyland]

Tattoos are mainly a function of urbanization, wealth and atomization of families. When people become detached from community they lose their group identity and seek to define and project themselves through other means.

 

It's not only body art, it's piercing, clothing, trinkets like watches and luxury goods like cars. There's even luxury believes now which are most prominent in urban areas, basically "woke" and all those high-minded liberal ideals. I would even say that the various sexual identities like trans and general homosexuality fall into this category too.

 

Notice when you leave cities how the people change. Suddenly they become more uniform and project less of themselves and their egos on to the outside world. This is because they're more rooted in their families and tending to their basic needs in life. No time for all these other things which occupy the minds of people who are more wealthy and have more provided for them.

[NorthernRyland]

8 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

I believe the OP is referring to the people who are very inked up, and have the neck and face decor. And yes, they seem to be heavily concentrated in some areas of Thailand.  And yes, the heavily inked people do demonstrate a series of  characteristics that sets them apart, like walking about with no shirt in public places. The heavy inking accompanied body piercing and the giant holes in ears. Some people want to be noticed.

 

 

This just popped up on YouTube. Textbook example. Thailand attracts these people in droves. It's strange because they don't reflect anything about Thai society yet the country calls to them.

 

I guess if you were driven so strongly by ego you could stand out in Thailand even more and get more of that gratification you were after.

 

 

[Cameroni]

9 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Tattoos are one of the most regrettable fashion trends of the past 20 years.

 

Very much so. If you think about these Thai girls who get tattoos, 9 out of 10 don't have a lot of money. They finance their mothers. But they decided to spend money on tattoos.It's clear evidence of poor decision making and low IQ, a marker of the stupid so to speak.

 

The Filipina who tatooed the name of her American LTR guy she'd never met on her clavicle regrets it to this day.

[jayboy]

15 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

A lot of famous actors and singers have them. Maybe athletes too.

And they have undoubtedly influenced a lot of youth to get them. 

I think your mentality might be stuck in the old days where only Hells Angels would have prominent tattoos. 

Times have changed. 

45 Million Americans have tattoos. This means a lot of them are probably doctors and lawyers, not just low-class workers. 

I don't have them. I never got into it. I never understood the need for one, but I'm no spring chicken either. The craze started when I got older. 

 

 

Don't know about the US.

 

In the UK most professional footballers are inked.In fact never seen one that isn't. Many musicians also.

 

Classy actors not so much.Tom Hardy is one of the few.

 

Upper and upper middle class.Hardly at all.

[NorthernRyland]

13 hours ago, BritManToo said:

My theory is you're living in an area that's built around an industry of alcohol and prostitution.

Up in Chiang Mai the local population and tourists don't seem to have any.

 

Nobody in my Thai gated village (250 homes), or my Thai family have tattoos.

Walking around the town, shops and University at MaeJo, no staff, no students, no passers by with visible tattoos.

 

More are coming though. Usually those types found Chiang Mai too boring and backwards so they stayed in Bangkok, Phuket etc... but now that the city is growing they're find a place for themselves. They're still out numbered by the unusually large amount of female travelers and backpacker types but I've seen a noticeable increase around the major tourist spots.

[NorthernRyland]

4 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Very much so. If you think about these Thai girls who get tattoos, 9 out of 10 don't have a lot of money. They finance their mothers. But they decided to spend money on tattoos.It's clear evidence of poor decision making and low IQ, a marker of the stupid so to speak.

 

 

When I ever I see tattoos on Thai people it's also a person from the nightlife scene or lower-class "thug" looking youths. Never do see a normal or middle class Thai person with them.

[connda]

What is up with tattoos and tourists / expats here?

 

Dunno.  Don't have one, never plan to get one.  So? 

[connda]

13 hours ago, Maxbkkcm said:

Why does Thailand attracts primarly those people? Knowing that in their culture is not perceived as good. Huge paradox…

Every time I read one of these newbie nonsense posts, I ask myself the same freaking question:
"Why does Thailand attracts primarily those people? ... Huge paradox…"

Where do you people come from, why are you here, and why do you post posts which are explicitly derogatory toward non-Thais living here.

[youreavinalaff]

2 hours ago, jayboy said:

 

It's primarily a class matter.Both in the West and Thailand the upper/upper middle class tend not to have them.The situation is slightly different with the under 30's but not that much.Most people don't want a tattooed accountant/lawyer/doctor working for them.Prostitutes and soldiers/sailors have always had tattoos.Here in Thailand most of the young Western male visitors are from the lower classes, and thus have plenty of ink.

Really? I was at hospital recently. You'd be very surprised.

 

I find it hard to believe anyone would chose their accountant, lawyer or doctor based on tattoos. I would think basing them on competence, experience and knowledge would be the norm.

 

Do you really think sailors and soldiers are lower class? It's a strange view.

[save the frogs]

13 hours ago, jayboy said:

Upper and upper middle class.Hardly at all.

 

Andrew Huberman has tattoos.

He works as a researcher in a top university.

Although he hides them when he lectures. 

And he's not a big fan of tattoos on the neck and face.

 

He is in the minority for people with jobs like that, but we probably need to start putting away prejudices about people with tattoos. And the inverse is also true. Just because someone has a squeaky clean look, it doesn't mean they're a decent human being. 

 

And also, maybe we need to stop judging people based on their "class in society". 

 

 

[Maxbkkcm]

2 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

Tattoos are mainly a function of urbanization, wealth and atomization of families. When people become detached from community they lose their group identity and seek to define and project themselves through other means.

 

It's not only body art, it's piercing, clothing, trinkets like watches and luxury goods like cars. There's even luxury believes now which are most prominent in urban areas, basically "woke" and all those high-minded liberal ideals. I would even say that the various sexual identities like trans and general homosexuality fall into this category too.

 

Notice when you leave cities how the people change. Suddenly they become more uniform and project less of themselves and their egos on to the outside world. This is because they're more rooted in their families and tending to their basic needs in life. No time for all these other things which occupy the minds of people who are more wealthy and have more provided for them.

Excellent analysis. It is link to narcisism. Millenials and gen z are great at it. Theyre empty and souless. 

[Maxbkkcm]

2 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

This just popped up on YouTube. Textbook example. Thailand attracts these people in droves. It's strange because they don't reflect anything about Thai society yet the country calls to them.

 

I guess if you were driven so strongly by ego you could stand out in Thailand even more and get more of that gratification you were after.

 

 

Totally mate. They are so opposite its a huge paradox…. I cant find an answer why specifically. Almost 98% of farangs in bkk have tatts. 

[Maxbkkcm]

1 hour ago, youreavinalaff said:

Really? I was at hospital recently. You'd be very surprised.

 

I find it hard to believe anyone would chose their accountant, lawyer or doctor based on tattoos. I would think basing them on competence, experience and knowledge would be the norm.

 

Do you really think sailors and soldiers are lower class? It's a strange view.

No its not a strange view. Tattoos are a redflag of the person mental state and trust. It doesnt appeal to trust

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, Maxbkkcm said:

Excellent analysis. It is link to narcisism. Millenials and gen z are great at it. Theyre empty and souless. 

 

Yeah, you're Sigmund Freud. You figured out the neurosis behind tattoos.

Some folks look bad and even scary with their tattoos.

 

But a lot of people look cool and they're not low-lifes.

It doesn't need to be over psycho-analyzed.