Key Takeaways
- Koh Samui’s tattoo scene covers bold colour work, traditional Japanese, hand-tapped bamboo, fine-line script, watercolour, and neo-traditional.
- This guide covers Sativa Tattoo, Starcat Tattoo, Kabuki Tattoo Samui, Bamboo Rooms Koh Samui, and Home Art Tattoo on Lamai Beach.
- Plan your design and your transport ahead of the appointment. The island is bigger than it looks on a map.
- Want somewhere to relax before or after the session? Get directions to Siam Green Chaweng on Google Maps.
Introduction
A tattoo is permanent. Choosing the right artist matters more than choosing the right design. Koh Samui has artists working in very different styles across Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai, so do a little research before you walk in. Below are five studios with notes on what each one does well.
Sativa Tattoo is a few minutes from our Chaweng branch. The artists work in bright, saturated colour palettes and lean toward Japanese-style and neo-traditional pieces. They tend to work a sketch with you rather than push you toward a flash sheet, so walk in with a concept rather than a finished drawing.
Want a session in Chaweng? Our shop is on the same beach road. Siam Green Chaweng carries the full Siam Green catalog (flower, edibles, vapes, CBD) and a small lounge. Open 11am to 3am.
Starcat sits on Chaweng Beach Road. The team works comfortably across Japanese, tribal, freehand, and small custom pieces. Strong fit if you walk in with a clear vision; also strong if you want them to draw something for you. Studio prioritises hygiene and uses high-quality equipment.
Kabuki is in Fisherman’s Village on Bophut Beach. If you want traditional Japanese work, this is the studio to book. The artists know the symbology and history behind the imagery, and they offer hand-poked Tebori as well as machine work.
Bamboo Rooms is in Fisherman’s Village, run by Ajarn Keng. Bamboo tattooing uses a sterilised bamboo needle hand-tapped into the skin rather than a coil machine. The lines come out softer, the healing tends to be quicker, and the process is reportedly less painful (though “less painful” is still painful). Worth booking ahead.
On Lamai Beach. The studio feels more like an artist’s home than a parlour. Strong on fine-line script, watercolour, and small neo-traditional pieces. If you bring a half-formed concept rather than a finished sketch, the artists will work with you to develop it.
Getting around the island
Koh Samui is the second-largest Thai island and the studios above are spread across Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai. Plan transport before you book.
Songthaews: Pickup-truck shared taxis on the ring road. Cheap, frequent, agree the fare before you get in. Slow if you’re going far.
Taxis: Yellow and maroon, on demand near tourist spots. More expensive than songthaews; metered or fixed-price.
Motorbikes: The most flexible option for getting between Bophut, Chaweng, and Lamai. Wear a helmet. The roads here are not Bangkok roads. If you’ve never ridden a scooter before, this is not the place to learn.
Private car with driver: Most comfortable, most expensive, easiest if you’re going to multiple places in a day. Pre-book through your hotel or a reputable agency.
Hotel shuttles: Many hotels run free shuttles to Chaweng, Lamai, and Central Festival. Ask reception before you spend on a taxi.
Conclusion
Pick the studio that matches the style you want, not the one closest to your hotel. After the session, walk a few minutes to Siam Green Chaweng on Google Maps. Had a good session and a good visit? Leave a review for Siam Green Chaweng. Full branch directory at siamgreenco.com/links.
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