Is it Safe to Get a Tattoo in Bangkok, Thailand?

How ALL DAY’s Hygiene Practices Compare to Other Bangkok Studios

If you’re researching where to get tattooed in Bangkok, you’ll quickly notice that hygiene practices vary dramatically between studios
Some places take safety seriously. Others… not so much!
We built ALL DAY around Western standard safety protocols because we’ve seen what happens when studios cut corners
Here’s an honest comparison of how we operate versus what you’ll typically find at other Bangkok tattoo studios:

What This Actually Means for You

Everything that touches your skin at ALL DAY is either brand new or has been through our hospital-grade autoclave
We use the same sterilization equipment you’d find in a surgical theater
It costs more. It takes longer. It requires constant vigilance. But we’re not willing to compromise on your safety just to save a few baht.
Why you can trust us:

• We hold an official Thai Ministry of Health tattoo studio license (most studios in central Bangkok don’t bother)
• Every ink we use is FDA-approved and imported from the USA
• We passed our most recent health authority inspection in September 2025 with flying colors

When you compare hygiene practices across Bangkok’s tattoo studios, the differences become pretty stark
We chose to do things the hard way – the safe way – from day one.
Want to see our artists and their specialties? Check out our portfolio of custom tattoo work

Why Hygiene Standards Vary at Bangkok Tattoo Studios

Getting tattooed in Bangkok isn’t regulated the way it is in Western countries. Nobody’s doing surprise health inspections. The rules technically exist, but they’re rarely enforced.

Here’s the reality:

• Most Bangkok studios skip the licensing process entirely. The paperwork takes forever, and frankly nobody’s really checking anyway
• Hand-poke “bamboo” tattoos, especially at temples, often reuse equipment that’s just wiped down between clients
• Ink quality ranges from FDA approved imports to cheap local brands that cost a fraction of the price
• Sterilization methods vary wildly. Some studios use hospital grade autoclaves. Others just boil equipment in a pot or rub equipment with alcohol
• A lot of artists were trained using traditional techniques that predate modern hygiene practices

Look, we’re not trying to trash Bangkok’s tattoo scene!

There are genuinely talented artists here and the culture is incredible.

But you should know what to look for before you commit.

At ALL DAY, we made a choice from day one: build the studio around Western medical hygiene standards, even though it costs significantly more.

You can read more about our story and philosophy here

We knew that’s what tourists from the UK, US, Australia and Europe and more would expect and let’s be honest, it’s what everyone deserves.

ALL DAY’s Western Standard Safety Protocols

Single-Use Equipment & Sterilization

We used to run a hospital grade autoclave for sterilizing reusable equipment. Now? We don’t need it.

All our artists use modern handheld battery powered tattoo machines.

Everything that touches your skin is single-use and gets thrown away after your session.

Needles. Cartridges. Grips. Ink cups. Gloves. Razors. Barriers. All of it.

Each pen gets wrapped in a disposable barrier before we start. You’ll watch your artist open brand new, sealed supplies right in front of you. Once your tattoo is done, everything goes straight into medical grade biohazard waste disposal.

There’s nothing to sterilize because nothing gets reused. It’s cleaner, safer, and eliminates any possibility of cross-contamination between clients.

Every surface around the tattoo station still gets covered with disposable film and disinfected with hospital grade products (alcohol and Dettol) before and after each session. Belt and suspenders.

FDA Approved Inks Imported from USA

All our inks are FDA-approved, vegan, and imported from major US brands. We don’t use anything else.

Could we buy cheaper inks locally? Sure. Chinese and Thai manufacturers sell inks for a fraction of the cost. But cheap ink comes with real risks: allergic reactions, colors that fade quickly and potential health problems from pigments that haven’t been properly tested.

FDA approved inks have been through extensive safety testing. Every bottle has batch numbers so we can trace exactly where it came from.

Yes, FDA approved inks cost up to 10 times more per bottle. But your tattoo is permanent. Cheap ink might save a studio some money now, but it’ll cost you later when your tattoo fades badly or your skin has a reaction.

Want to understand how pricing works and what affects the cost? Read our honest pricing guide.

We import from the same suppliers used by top studios in the US, UK, and Australia. Same quality, same standards.

Official Thai Health Authority Licensing

We hold an official license from the Thai Ministry of Health. Most tattoo studios in central Bangkok don’t bother.

Getting licensed isn’t simple. The Thai health authorities require facility inspections, equipment verification, documentation of all hygiene procedures, artist health checks and proof that every ink we use meets safety standards. It took us months of paperwork and multiple in person inspections.

Why do most studios skip it? Because it’s expensive, time consuming, and honestly enforcement is inconsistent. A lot of places operate without licenses and never get checked.

We went through the process anyway because it matters. Our most recent inspection was in September 2025 and we passed without issues.

If a studio can’t show you their license or gives vague answers about it, ask yourself what they’re avoiding. Legitimate studios have nothing to hide.

View Our Official License

We’re one of the few Bangkok tattoo studios with proper Thai Ministry of Health licensing. Here’s our 2025 – 2026 license:

License Number: 2568-5039-04-000330 | Valid through September 2026

What to Look for When Choosing a Safe Tattoo Studio in Bangkok

Before you book your tattoo appointment at any Bangkok studio, use this checklist to verify they meet basic safety standards:

Equipment & Sterilization:

• New, individually sealed needles for every client (watch them open it in front of you)
• Modern battery-powered pens or hospital-grade autoclave for traditional machines
• High quality needles with expiry dates from reputable manufacturers
• Disposable barriers covering all surfaces (machine, lamp, workspace)

Licensing & Certification:

• Official Thai health authority license displayed (ask to see it – many studios don’t have one)
• FDA approved inks with visible labeling and batch numbers
• Clean facility that passes the “smell test”

Artist Practices:

• Artists wear gloves throughout the entire process
• Fresh barriers on pens or clip cord sleeves for traditional machines
• Medical grade waste bins
• Staff can explain their sterilization and hygiene procedures in detail

Red flags to walk away from:

• Reused needles or equipment of any kind
• No visible license or vague answers about licensing
• Cheap needles or inks with no proper labeling
• Dirty facility or obviously unsanitary conditions
• Staff who can’t or won’t answer hygiene questions

If a studio fails any of these checks, keep looking. Your safety is worth the extra research.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tattoo Safety in Bangkok

Is it safe to get a tattoo in Bangkok?

Yes, if you choose a licensed studio that follows Western hygiene standards. ALL DAY uses single use equipment for everything, FDA approved inks, and holds an official Thai health authority license. We’re one of the few studios in central Bangkok that’s properly licensed and inspected.

How can I tell if a Bangkok tattoo studio is hygienic?

Look for individually sealed needles opened in front of you, FDA approved inks with visible labels, disposable barriers on all equipment and an official Thai health authority license on display. Ask to see their sterilization procedures – legitimate studios will show you without hesitation.

What’s the difference between cheap and expensive tattoo inks?

Cheap inks (usually Chinese or local brands) haven’t been through FDA safety testing, may contain harmful substances and tend to fade quickly. FDA approved inks from the USA are rigorously tested for safety, are vegan friendly, and keep their color for the long term. ALL DAY only uses FDA approved inks imported from major US brands.

Do all Bangkok tattoo studios use new needles?

No. While most machine based studios use new needles, some hand poke “bamboo” tattoos, especially at temples, reuse equipment that’s only washed between clients. Always verify your studio uses individually sealed, single use needles that are opened in front of you.

Why don’t more Bangkok tattoo studios have licenses?

Getting a Thai health authority license requires extensive documentation: facility inspections, equipment verification, hygiene protocol documentation and artist health checks. Many studios avoid the process because it’s expensive, time consuming, and enforcement is inconsistent. ALL DAY maintains full licensing because your safety isn’t negotiable. This is also why licensed studios often charge more – see our pricing breakdown to see what you’re actually paying for.

How often should tattoo equipment be sterilized?

At ALL DAY, we don’t sterilize equipment – we use single-use supplies that get thrown away after each client. Everything that touches your skin is brand new. For studios using traditional machines with reusable grips, all equipment should be sterilized in a hospital grade autoclave between every single client.