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Getting a Bamboo Tattoo on Phi Phi Island in Thailand!!

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After Christmas in Koh Tao, New Year’s Eve in Koh Phangan and a chilled week in Koh Lanta, I was with my friends and ready to party again so we headed to Phi Phi!


Phi Phi is one of the smallest islands in Thailand that is visited by tourists, there are no cars or even mopeds so as soon as you get off the pier you are in the town and there’s just a few streets that wind around the town and eventually all seem to link up.

Book your boat to Phi Phi online in advance here on 12Go Asia!

Bamboo Tattoo in Phi Phi

phi phi island bamboo tattoo
Keep Reading for information on my Bamboo Tattoo in Phi Phi!

Phi Phi is known for its nightlife and that’s why it’s one of the best islands to visit in Thailand, so we got stuck in on our first night, I’ve been to Phi Phi a few times so I know the best Phi Phi nightlife!

Normally I start at the Irish bar then we headed onto the beach picking up a bucket from one of the street sellers on the way (they’re always cheaper than the bars). Slinky’s and Ibiza are always my first point of call and we ended up spending time at both of them and having a great night!

Related Post: 60 Tips To Know BEFORE Going to Thailand To Have The BEST Time!

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phi phi island bamboo tattoo
Night out at Slinky’s!
phi phi island bamboo tattoo
Bucket time!

Tapear 1994 Tattoo Shop Phi Phi

The following day we were rather hungover but we stumbled upon Tapear1994 Tattoo shop with some tourists in, getting a Bamboo tattoo done in Thailand was not on my list of things to do right now I’ve always been intrigued by how the traditional bamboo tattoos are done and a girl was getting one done in the shop so we hovered for a bit to have a look.

I have a few tattoos already and I’ve always wanted to add a bamboo one to my collection and I’d been wanting to get one on my arm for a while, Steph had also been thinking about getting one and had something in mind.

Long story short, we chatted to the guys who do the bamboo tattoos in Thailand for a while and watched them do their thing, they were really good and how they do the bamboo tattoo is so impressive! It’s basically just a few needles with ink on the end that they continually tap into you and the detail and shading they can do with it is incredible!

Book your boat to Phi Phi online in advance here on 12Go Asia!

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phi phi island bamboo tattoo
Tapear Ransak’s tattoo shop.

We headed out that night to do the same as the night before and the following day we went and got our bamboo tattoos on Phi Phi!

I was pretty nervous as I was scared it would hurt more than the gun machine tattoos but as soon as he started that fear went! My tattoo took about 3 hours and there were points when it was uncomfortable due to the needles on the sensitive skin on the inside of my arm but it was so much better than having a tattoo with a machine!

phi phi island bamboo tattoo
My tattoo being done!

I’ve heard people worry about getting tattoos done in Thailand and it is true that you need to take precautions as I too have heard some horror stories but we were sensible and we made sure we watched the guys work and do a few different tattoos, we spoke to them for a while, checked out their Facebook page which had great reviews and of course we made sure they used a transfer first so we were happy with it and the positioning! I would definitely recommend these guys if you’re in Phi Phi and want a tattoo done!

Not only is it pretty cool to have a bamboo tattoo done in Thailand but it’s also very cheap! Mine cost 4500 TB/ £90.00 which is a lot cheaper than what it would cost in the UK or Australia etc.

Update 2020: I still love my tattoo and have since had another bamboo tattoo done in Thailand but in Chiang Mai. The safety standards of tattoos in Thailand are really great as long as you go to somewhere that looks good with good reviews.

phi phi island bamboo tattoo
All done!

Related Post: 60 Tips To Know BEFORE Going to Thailand To Have The BEST Time!

I already loved Phi Phi and although it is very busy and can be quite dirty and is definitely not in the pristine condition it used to be it’s still a good island to visit and have fun on!

For accommodation in Phi Phi have a look on Booking.com. I use this site to book all of my hotels and I often find some great places!

Looking for where to go after Phi Phi? Check out this Thailand Island Hopping Itinerary!


Darryl Johnston

Monday 10th of September 2018

You really did enjoy your trip! I love your travel tattoo! Looks so nice!

TheWanderingQuinn

Monday 10th of September 2018

I did indeed! Thank you. I’m still really happy with it!

Lotte - scratchingmymap

Monday 8th of February 2016

What a gorgeous tattoo you got! It will be a lovely memory from your trip I think :-)

TheWanderingQuinn

Monday 8th of February 2016

Thank you! And yes it will, I'll always remember that day now :)