Hi ladies,

I've been living in Bangkok for almost 2 years now and have yet to get my hair cut in the city! I think I've been worried about the language barrier and getting something awful done. I know there are acceptable places to do this, but does anyone have any recommendations? It's starting to get long and I need a change. Ideas? Thanks so much for any help.

I'm having a mind blank about the name but I've been to MBK level 4, the end where all the cheap clothes and souvenirs are, there's a handbag shop near the toilets... the hairdresser is about 5 shops along from there! The head hairdresser is pretty young but cut hair in the US for years and they all speak good English. I've had my hair done 3 times there and always happy. For a wash, cut, full head of foils was only 1000 baht! To add to confusion, it's not the first hairdresser closest to the handbag shop cos they are mega rude and pushy, it's the second hairdresser from the handbag shop!! Very helpful I'm sure!!haha

How much do you want to pay is probably the first question that needs answering. I have a fabulous hairdresser fluent in English and understands farang hair. But he's not cheap

haha, thanks for the effort anyway though RueFang! I can go check it out, I live very close by.

@sbk - cost is not as much the issue. I mean I don't want to go into debt or anything, but I would pay a few thousand baht for a good haircut. Considering the money I've been saving by not having it cut yet, I'd say I'm overdue!

Thanks for the replies, both of you!

VesCag,

How long is your hair? Can it be "fixed" if you do get it cut somewhere and don't like it?

I personally go to a (very sexy) Thai girl who's salon is right in my Thai neighborhood. They speak NO English. I went there because I like her hair and so i figured she'd make me look good. I went in and looked at photos, I love Japanese hairstyles, and she had different books that I looked through. Some pages were labeled in English- Japanese hairstyle, or Korean Hairstyle, or Celebrity Hairstyle- with corresponding pictures. I found a picture of what I wanted, and Viola! No words necessary! I may have done a motion of scissors with my fingers and indicated that I wanted a "haircut".

I have always been pleased going there (and my daughter aswell).

I also had a great haircut on the Suzy walking street between Khaosan and Rambuttri. The women spoke English there, and I was pleased with the cut. Again, there were books and photos, and I showed her what I wanted, and she did an excellent job. She also cut very little off, took her time, and even said, "better I cut too little, then can cut more. Cannot fix if cut too much," which I appreciated.

I will point out the differences between the two places I mentioned.

The place in my neighborhood shampooed and massaged my head and neck for at least 5 minutes before the cut. We didn't speak, and the girl almost scared me with her aggressiveness when she got going. I had very long and not very layered hair. I was watching so much hair falling and getting a little concerned. She was really fast and afterwards she blow dried and then checked it all over again and cut a little more anywhere that needed it. I always feel a bit glamorous when i walk out of there. I look different. She knows what she is doing. It's like she takes me somewhere else and I let her.

The other place I did not have a shampoo, or massage. She sprayed my hair with water and combed it and cut just a little at a time, and slowly. Like I was even saying, "A little shorter here" or pointing to the picture, but she didn't want to cut too much off. I can appreciate that, and she did an excellent job. No blowdry but I think she may have offered, but I wanted to leave- only because I remember it happened to be late that night and I wanted to go home. I really can't remember that part.

I think the price in my neighborhood is 100 for a haircut. On Suzy walking street, 150. About the same. I liked both places. I will say that my hair is still very long and so when i go for a cut maybe I know deep down that if i don't like it, my hair is still long, and easily changeable/fixable.

Good luck!

who's salon

should be "whose"

I just re-read this and could not edit it

A friend of mine likes Schwing Salon. I cannot post the URL but if you Google Schwing Hair Salong Bangkok, it's the first result.

Schwing Hair Salon is located on soi Lang Suan, a popular restaurant area of Bangkok. It’s easily accessible via car, taxi or skytrain.

Schwing Hair Salon

99/20 Lang Suan Balcony

Soi Lang Suan, Ploenchit rd.,

Bangkok 10330

Tel: 02-251-7727

Via the skytrain

Get off at Chit lom station.

* Haircut (women): 700 Baht

* Haircut (men): 400 Baht

* Haircut (children): 250 Baht

* Style: Starting at 200 Baht

* Colour: Starting at 1,200 Baht

* Highlights: Starting at 2000 Baht

* Perm: Starting at 2,500 Baht

* Deep conditioning: Starting at 600 Baht

I use a place down the road. 60 baht. Cheap and cheerful.

I am happy for you moonrakers but this is the ladies forum and most women need something requiring a bit more skill than a number two back and sides

I think so expensive

How much do you want to pay is probably the first question that needs answering. I have a fabulous hairdresser fluent in English and understands farang hair. But he's not cheap

I am looking for a salon in Bangkok that can do highlights on already medium/light blonde hair. Definitely willing to pay more for quality. Any suggestions?

I have such a hard time with hair colorists i gave up and only ever do my own. They never believe me when I tell them my hair REALLY absorbs the color. So, I end up with too dark hair.

There were some older threads on color, you might try starting a new one just on highlights tho to get more response

I am a man but have also had difficulty in getting a decent haircut in Thailand. A successful method that I have started employing recently, which should work for women too is to bring with you a few photos of yourself with your hair cut the way you like it. Ensure that the barber (hairdresser) looks at them closely before he/she begins. I've got good results this way. Even though I speak fairly good Thai pictures always work better than explanations.