A Real Barbershop

[Genericnic]

For the first time in many years, I am in need of a real barbershop. I'm not looking for a salon with a stylist who can do a nice unisex cut for men and women. I'm looking for a shop where you can get a good shave with hot towels and talcum powder and a good trim. Minimal English is fine. I have pictures to give them an idea of the cut I want.

I am near Pantip Plaza but anywhere is fine.

Any suggestions appreciated.

David

[Thakkar]

On hwy 118 just after the courthouse intersection across from the first 7/11 and post office. The barber shop is called Guangdong Barber.

Air conditioned, honest to goodness old style barber shop. I've had many close shaves in Thailand, but the ones here are highly welcome.

Extra bonus is that it's really cheap too.

T

[Genericnic]

On hwy 118 just after the courthouse intersection across from the first 7/11 and post office. The barber shop is called Guangdong Barber.

Air conditioned, honest to goodness old style barber shop. I've had many close shaves in Thailand, but the ones here are highly welcome.

Extra bonus is that it's really cheap too.

T

Thakkar, thanks for that. Is the courthouse intersection before you get to the river heading out of town? Google maps was no help.

Thanks.

David

[maps424]

There is a few of them next to each other on suthep road.

Going west from the moat, you get to sirimangklajarn road on the right, don't go there, but keep going straight about 100-150m on the left. If I'm not mistaken, they have those barber twirly things hanging outside the front to signify its a barber shop. I usually go to the one that has 1-2 steps to go up to the shop - there is a long wooden chair out the front. There is about 10 barber seats with all male barbers, and they do shaves if you want it.. I think the shop(s) to the left of that might be hairdressers instead of barbers, but not sure.

[Thakkar]

On hwy 118 just after the courthouse intersection across from the first 7/11 and post office. The barber shop is called Guangdong Barber.

Air conditioned, honest to goodness old style barber shop. I've had many close shaves in Thailand, but the ones here are highly welcome.

Extra bonus is that it's really cheap too.

T

Thakkar, thanks for that. Is the courthouse intersection before you get to the river heading out of town? Google maps was no help.

Thanks.

David

.

Here are the approximate google map coordinate of the building:

18.806533,99.022667

T

[eyecatcher]

I often go to a small shop in santitham almost at the traffic lights adj changpuak bus station.

for 60baht its the experience of a lifetime.

Stuff I only ever saw on the movies:

pictures on the wall are not vidal sasoons models, they are 6 boys from the army showing the different D/A back cuts...thats all he asks you...and you point.

good old leather chair; rise and fall ststem broken so for farang you have to slide down a bit so the little man can reach.

mirror behind, about 5ft high x 1ft wide on wheels so you can see every cut he makes at the back.

removal of all ear hairs.....waxing not his job!

then out comes the spanner and you drop back in the chair horizontal for the free shave with cut throat on leather knife

and the piece de resistance the nasal hair removal with the long pointy scissors.

hot towel on the face and cotton wool antiseptic dabs on any tender areas.

all that and free Thai tv or a local radio debate and 20 mins of your time.

But OP you dont look like you need a trim!

[Genericnic]

Thanks for all the information guys. I'll probably be sampling all of them until I find the one that does it just right.

eyecatcher, the pictures is what I looked like a few weeks ago. It is getting a bit fuzzy now so I thought I would start forcing it into line before it gets too wild.

David

[hellodolly]

There are two across the street from the Central Dongtawan hotel in the night bazaar area.. As you face them I go to the one on the left.

Never had a shave there but I am happy with my hair cut. Mine is not that easy to cut.. She speaks good English but you might find her pricey. 120 baht for a hair cut.

[DaamNaam]

There is a few of them next to each other on suthep road.

Going west from the moat, you get to sirimangklajarn road on the right, don't go there, but keep going straight about 100-150m on the left. If I'm not mistaken, they have those barber twirly things hanging outside the front to signify its a barber shop. I usually go to the one that has 1-2 steps to go up to the shop - there is a long wooden chair out the front. There is about 10 barber seats with all male barbers, and they do shaves if you want it.. I think the shop(s) to the left of that might be hairdressers instead of barbers, but not sure.

A few steps away from Wat Suan Dok is easier directions.

60-80 baht for a basic cut.

Never the same cut twice.

Good enough though.

[JimGant]

Well, an easy walk from Pantip Plaza will get you to Porn's barbershop. A real sweet gal, with passable English, who has her own shop, two chairs, but just her working there. I've had to wait a few times, but usually just with one customer already in the chair. Happy with her haircuts -- never had anything else, but she does do ear and nose trims, manicure, and I've seen a customer getting a shave (didn't notice whether or not there were hot towels). Turns on the air conditioner for farangs.

From Panthip Plaza, just walk towards the moat on Sridonchai, turn right (towards Mae Ping hotel) on Khampangdin, and about 50 yds after you turn, on your right, is an indentation from the road -- and her barbershop. And, that indentation functions as a two-car parking lot as well. Open on Wednesdays too.

Highly recommended.

[eden8]

I often go to a small shop in santitham almost at the traffic lights adj changpuak bus station.

for 60baht its the experience of a lifetime.

Stuff I only ever saw on the movies:

pictures on the wall are not vidal sasoons models, they are 6 boys from the army showing the different D/A back cuts...thats all he asks you...and you point.

good old leather chair; rise and fall ststem broken so for farang you have to slide down a bit so the little man can reach.

mirror behind, about 5ft high x 1ft wide on wheels so you can see every cut he makes at the back.

removal of all ear hairs.....waxing not his job!

then out comes the spanner and you drop back in the chair horizontal for the free shave with cut throat on leather knife

and the piece de resistance the nasal hair removal with the long pointy scissors.

hot towel on the face and cotton wool antiseptic dabs on any tender areas.

all that and free Thai tv or a local radio debate and 20 mins of your time.

But OP you dont look like you need a trim!

nice price.

Well,

an easy walk from Pantip Plaza will get you to Porn's barbershop. A

real sweet gal, with passable English, who has her own shop, two chairs,

but just her working there. I've had to wait a few times, but usually

just with one customer already in the chair. Happy with her haircuts --

never had anything else, but she does do ear and nose trims, manicure,

and I've seen a customer getting a shave (didn't notice whether or not

there were hot towels). Turns on the air conditioner for farangs.

From

Panthip Plaza, just walk towards the moat on Sridonchai, turn right

(towards Mae Ping hotel) on Khampangdin, and about 50 yds after you

turn, on your right, is an indentation from the road -- and her

barbershop. And, that indentation functions as a two-car parking lot as

well. Open on Wednesdays too.

Highly recommended.

how much does she charge?

[maps424]

There is a few of them next to each other on suthep road.

Going west from the moat, you get to sirimangklajarn road on the right, don't go there, but keep going straight about 100-150m on the left. If I'm not mistaken, they have those barber twirly things hanging outside the front to signify its a barber shop. I usually go to the one that has 1-2 steps to go up to the shop - there is a long wooden chair out the front. There is about 10 barber seats with all male barbers, and they do shaves if you want it.. I think the shop(s) to the left of that might be hairdressers instead of barbers, but not sure.

A few steps away from Wat Suan Dok is easier directions.

60-80 baht for a basic cut.

Never the same cut twice.

Good enough though.

Ah yep, that's better directions.

its 100b now

And I only let the same guy cut my hair every time (nick - closest cutting chair to the cashier), so for me it's always the same and always good.

[NancyL]

I often go to a small shop in santitham almost at the traffic lights adj changpuak bus station.

for 60baht its the experience of a lifetime.

Stuff I only ever saw on the movies:

pictures on the wall are not vidal sasoons models, they are 6 boys from the army showing the different D/A back cuts...thats all he asks you...and you point.

good old leather chair; rise and fall ststem broken so for farang you have to slide down a bit so the little man can reach.

mirror behind, about 5ft high x 1ft wide on wheels so you can see every cut he makes at the back.

removal of all ear hairs.....waxing not his job!

then out comes the spanner and you drop back in the chair horizontal for the free shave with cut throat on leather knife

and the piece de resistance the nasal hair removal with the long pointy scissors.

hot towel on the face and cotton wool antiseptic dabs on any tender areas.

all that and free Thai tv or a local radio debate and 20 mins of your time.

But OP you dont look like you need a trim!

Hubby found a place that does all that across from the north side of the old city. It's next to that Cajun restaurant -- Three Little Pigs. He says they have good cold aircon, male barber and it appears the chair works. He can't remember the exact price because he always leaves a little tip -- he thinks it's 80 baht for a haircut and 80 baht for a good hot towel shave with the same type of attention to eyebrows, ears and nose that eyecatcher mentions.

He always returns home a "hansum man" after a visit to this barber.

[Genericnic]

Started making the rounds today. Went by the shop Thakker recommended but it was closed today. Then went to the area that eyecather mentioned. I searched all the corners at the light by the bus station and didn't find any barbershop that looked like what he described. I did find a couple of salons but that was all. Can you give me a better description of the location eye-catcher? It really did look like it would be fun to check it out.

Finally went by the place JimGant mentioned. Nice clean shop and Porn is very friendly. I got a quick touchup there for the newly sprouting hair but I didn't do a shave there. No hot towels and the shaving foam (for the neck) was out of a can. I would probably go back again but just for a quick touchup.

So, the search is still on for the real deal. I am really looking forward to checking out the other places you guys mentioned. I have no doubt that one or more of them will be just what I am looking for.

David

[MESmith]

Barbers usually closed on Wednesday

[Genericnic]

Barbers usually closed on Wednesday

Thanks. Another Thai tidbit of information to file away.

David

[wigantojapan]

Just about any of the places that look lke a barber shop rather than a unisex salon will give you a good barber haircut.

You should not pay more than 60 baht for a real barber.

a real barber will not even use scissors minimally in Thailand and will be comb over machine usually

a reall lost art i the West

shaving is a bit of a problem in Thailand as they dont use the hot towel long enough or foam the face long enough to give a good shave

if you can find an Indian barber they will do it better,,shave that is.

you will eventually find the barber for you,but like i said in general they all do a pretty good job and having a photo will help to the kind of finish and length or line that you require

there is an interesting barber on the way from shantitham to the arcade bus station..just past the fire station and the old tree on the road where some old boys sell old buddahs pendents

he is always busy so i have never had a cut from him and when he isnt he plays his lanna guitar,,but i was busy so couldnt stop

on the right hand side just before the turning on the left to tops

forgot to add i pay 20 baht for my comb over machine cut,,but thats out of town

like i said inCM 60 baht for a real barber with barber skills

[scotinsiam]

Barbers usually closed on Wednesday

Thanks. Another Thai tidbit of information to file away.

David

I read a long time ago in an old Thai book that Wednesday is an unlucky day to get a haircut - I usually go then as it's quieter as the Thai's are scared to go lol

[Thakkar]

Started making the rounds today. Went by the shop Thakker recommended but it was closed today.

David

Sorry, David, my bad. I forgot to mention that the barber I recommended (many other barbers in CM) are closed on Wednesdays. They open 8am every day except Wednesday.

Cost for a cut, shave, nose/ear hair trimming and a bit of basic ear cleaning is only 80 baht. Hair wash *not* included. They have three/four people working there and everyone of them gives a great shave.

T

[wildpikey]

Well, an easy walk from Pantip Plaza will get you to Porn's barbershop. A real sweet gal, with passable English, who has her own shop, two chairs, but just her working there. I've had to wait a few times, but usually just with one customer already in the chair. Happy with her haircuts -- never had anything else, but she does do ear and nose trims, manicure, and I've seen a customer getting a shave (didn't notice whether or not there were hot towels). Turns on the air conditioner for farangs.

From Panthip Plaza, just walk towards the moat on Sridonchai, turn right (towards Mae Ping hotel) on Khampangdin, and about 50 yds after you turn, on your right, is an indentation from the road -- and her barbershop. And, that indentation functions as a two-car parking lot as well. Open on Wednesdays too.

Highly recommended.

I have been using this lady for 5 years now, very polite, not usually busy, and the shaves are good, but warn her and give her time to heat the water.

Hair - 100 baht

Shave - 100 baht

Infact the menu says that everything is 100 baht...

[DaamNaam]

There is a few of them next to each other on suthep road.

Going west from the moat, you get to sirimangklajarn road on the right, don't go there, but keep going straight about 100-150m on the left. If I'm not mistaken, they have those barber twirly things hanging outside the front to signify its a barber shop. I usually go to the one that has 1-2 steps to go up to the shop - there is a long wooden chair out the front. There is about 10 barber seats with all male barbers, and they do shaves if you want it.. I think the shop(s) to the left of that might be hairdressers instead of barbers, but not sure.

A few steps away from Wat Suan Dok is easier directions.

60-80 baht for a basic cut.

Never the same cut twice.

Good enough though.

Ah yep, that's better directions.

its 100b now

And I only let the same guy cut my hair every time (nick - closest cutting chair to the cashier), so for me it's always the same and always good.

I was there 3 days ago, 70 baht.

[eyecatcher]

Barbers usually closed on Wednesday

Thanks. Another Thai tidbit of information to file away.

David

I read a long time ago in an old Thai book that Wednesday is an unlucky day to get a haircut - I usually go then as it's quieter as the Thai's are scared to go lol

"Wednesday is planet mercury day which has the most eccentric orbit of all the planets. So its unlikely a Thai would decide to wed on a Wednesday. Also do not have your hair cut on Wednesday or in fact cut anything, toe nails, circumc.. Wan bhud (Wednesday) is believed to be the day of growth and development. If you cut anything on this day you supposedy rid yourself of improvement, and you will notice many hair salons close on Wednesdays."

The small salon i refer to: from the kad suan kaew corner of the moat, take the road into santitham. over the bridge and at the lights turn right. This road leads to a busy bar area/Tops/mercure hotel on the left. but carry on the same road and 10m before the lights on the right side a few small shops. one is the barbers, cheap and cheerful but enjoy!

[Dean1953]

Does that include surgery?

[taiwanatoa]

For the first time in many years, you are in need of a real barbershop?!!

That is truly horrific!

[Oscar2]

Barbers usually closed on Wednesday

Thanks. Another Thai tidbit of information to file away.

David

I read a long time ago in an old Thai book that Wednesday is an unlucky day to get a haircut - I usually go then as it's quieter as the Thai's are scared to go lol

i'm not sure it has anything to do with luck. a hairdresser friend told me one time and i believe it was either the King never gets a haircut on a Wednesday or he doesn't work on Wednesday - i forget which one. but it's out of respect to the King.

[seesip]

There is a few of them next to each other on suthep road.

Going west from the moat, you get to sirimangklajarn road on the right, don't go there, but keep going straight about 100-150m on the left. If I'm not mistaken, they have those barber twirly things hanging outside the front to signify its a barber shop. I usually go to the one that has 1-2 steps to go up to the shop - there is a long wooden chair out the front. There is about 10 barber seats with all male barbers, and they do shaves if you want it.. I think the shop(s) to the left of that might be hairdressers instead of barbers, but not sure.

I second this recommendation--the one I've been to is all female barbers but it's not a unisex salon it's a typical blue collar barber shop. They do a really nice job, take their time, you get a brief shoulder rub too. Well worth it if you''re in the area. I remember there's two or three in a row, but the one I've been to I remember is a bit larger than the others and female staff.

[T_Dog]

The old barber shop on the outside of the moat just before you get to Chang Puak Gate is worth a try. It is in the long building set back from the food stalls that appear in the evening. The shop has chairs about a hundred years old, uses straight razors and old brushes to apply the shaving cream. Just make sure you don't get the old guy as his shaking causes him to have to use both hands on the straight razor.

[orkid]

This is in reference to the barbershop mention to be near the Chang Phuak bus station. Sorry had trouble quoting it on my device. Copied and pasted below is the best I can do.

Thanks, it took a little while but I found it.

The shop is on the west side of the intersection on the south side of Chang Phuak Soi 4.

18°48'00.5"N 98°59'08.4"E

I often go to a small shop in santitham almost at the traffic lights adj changpuak bus station.

for 60baht its the experience of a lifetime.

Stuff I only ever saw on the movies:

pictures on the wall are not vidal sasoons models, they are 6 boys from the army showing the different D/A back cuts...thats all he asks you...and you point.

good old leather chair; rise and fall ststem broken so for farang you have to slide down a bit so the little man can reach.

mirror behind, about 5ft high x 1ft wide on wheels so you can see every cut he makes at the back.

removal of all ear hairs.....waxing not his job!

then out comes the spanner and you drop back in the chair horizontal for the free shave with cut throat on leather knife

and the piece de resistance the nasal hair removal with the long pointy scissors.

hot towel on the face and cotton wool antiseptic dabs on any tender areas.

Edited December 9, 2014 by orkid