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Phuket is not only the destination but also the crossroads. It is the place where ancient temples are located under the shade of the new resorts, and where worldwide travelers are offered to realize the strong, colorful beat of the Thai culture.

At Siam Ink, we have a view that tattoo art must be able to express this beautiful duality.

You no longer have a choice of either a traditional Thai or a modern and global design. Our artists are geniuses of the intermediate, the area where art honours its archaic origins and dares into the future. This question-answer guide is the one that answers how we come up with such distinctive blended masterpieces.

What exactly are the “Ancient Roots” of Thai Tattoos?

When one hears a mention of traditional Thai tattoos, they will be referring to the sacred, magical tattoos of Thais known as Sak Yant.

Sak is a Thai word that can be translated as to tap or to tattoo, and Yant Thai word referring to a Yantra, which is a Sanskrit word that can be translated as a sacred geometric pattern of botanical tattoo. These tattoos are not art per se but a very spiritual tradition, which has its foundations in the world of animist, Hindu, and Buddhist beliefs.

Their Intention:

There is a common belief of protection, good luck, charm (charisma), or courage in a battle, which the Sak Yant is thought to accord the person who wears it.

The Designs:

consist of spiritual geometric forms, animal imagery, and Katas (lines of an ancient Buddhist writing).

The Process:

An actual Sak Yant has always been pre-painted by a monk or an Ajarn (a master, formerly a monk) with a long bamboo or metal rod (a Khem Sak). This is performed with the help of chants and blessings.

It is a time-old tradition that is powerful and should be held with utmost respect.

What “Global Styles” do you specialize in?

The global aspect of the art means the modern, internationally known styles perfected by master artists all over the world. These are in high establishment with our artists, and include:

Photorealism/Hyperrealism:

Developing tattoos that appear as vivid as a high-resolution picture. This may be in grey and black or in full color.

Geometric & Mandala:

This style involves employing hard-line, sharp, and dot and repeatable forms of designs. It is a style that demands so much accuracy.

Fine-Line or Micro-Realism:

Tattoos are done with such fine needles to produce an unbelievably thin and detailed tattoo and resembling a fine-pen drawing.

Modern Abstract & Watercolor:

A style that disregards conventionality, splashes of color, and peculiar shapes are used to make the tattoo resemble a contemporary painting on the skin.

It takes an entirely new set of skills, of the same character, yet of a different nature, to learn these styles.

How do you blend these two worlds? What is “Neo-Thai”?

This is the production core of our studio. We develop our own style, commonly known as Neo-Thai, a blend of the spirit of Thai art and methods of contemporary tattooing.

It is not merely copying a Sak Yant using a modern machine. It is a true artistic fusion. Here’s how our artists do it:

The art of Mixed Iconography:

We could take a very strong image out of a Thai legend, such as Hanuman (the monkey god) or a Garuda (a fictional bird-like creature), and give it the effect of shading, the depth, and detail of contemporary photorealism. The title is very old, the implementation is ultra-modern.

Patterns:

Our artists will create a new, modern, geometric sleeve or backpiece, however, based on the traditional Thai patterns: kranok (a flame-like pattern). You experience the sting of a geometrical tattoo, but the DNA used is entirely Thai.

Combine Learning:

A client might desire a fine line lotus flower (strong Buddhist imagery), but to have it mixed with abstract watercolor splashes. Or, they may desire the construction of the well-known Hah Taew (Five-Line Yant) deployed into a larger, tailored object and relate their own story.

This Neo-Thai style will also give you an opportunity to wear a work of art that is very distinctly Thai and uniquely yours.

Why choose Siam Ink for a blended or traditional Thai tattoo?

That is a critical question, and the answer would be in the three aspects of Respect, Versatility, and Trust.

Respect:

We have respect for the fact that Sak Yant is a spiritual tradition. We are artists, not monks. We are not carried out with the sacral prayers. Rather, we must express our respect by doing what we are good at, which is the production of a 100 percent sterile, artistically flawless, and beautiful piece of work. In case you prefer the traditional design, but not the religious ceremony, then our artists are the best option.

Originality:

It is extremely hard to make one of the Neo-Thai pieces. It calls upon an artist who is a jack-of-all-trades and a master. We are lucky to find our artists since they have been trained on the tenets of the Thai traditional art and have been able to dedicate thousands of hours to learn modern photorealism, fine-line, and geometric design.

Trust:

When it comes to putting a tattoo on a foreigner, particularly a big or complicated one, you need 100% confidence in the standards of the studio. Our sterile, world-class environment is offered, we ask for the best possible inks, and we have our way of communicating in a clear manner (in English) with the beginning and the end. This is our guarantee.

At Siam Ink, our artists are visual storytellers, and we are ready to help you write yours.

FAQ

Can I get a “real” Sak Yant blessing at Siam Ink?

We are a tattoo shop that aims for high-quality art and hygiene. Our designs of Sak Yant are artistically flawless, sterile, and beautiful. Nevertheless, the ancient sacramental blessing or ceremony is administered by a monk or a religious Ajarn. We are careful to dissociate the arts from the ceremonies so that you attain a perfect tattoo without risking your life.

I have a modern tattoo idea. Can your artists help me add a “Thai” feel to it?

Absolutely. It is our preferred method of working. You are welcome to carry your thought, a geometrical design, a portrait, or an abstract idea and discuss it with our artists. They are masters of incorporating the classic Thai components, such as a lotus pattern, kranok (flame) pattern, a mythical creature, etc., into your creation so it could be a unique blended artwork.

Do you use a machine or traditional bamboo for these tattoos?

We give you either, and it is up to you to design and choose. A lot of contemporary mixed, Neo-Thai works are made with the help of machines, applying the exact shading and detail accuracy of realism. But we also have those artists who are experts in the classical bamboo technique, which is preferred by many clients because it has a classic feel, especially when it comes to Sak Yant. The most appropriate tool to use in doing your particular tattoo is something we can talk about at your consultation.