Bangkok’s tattoo artists are now required to obtain government certification. The move is part of a concern that tattoo practitioners are aware of and comply with hygiene and safety regulations.
The regulation was announced at a meeting on the tattoo studio business and included representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA)’s Department of Health.
The certification criteria include knowledge of the means to protect against infection. Studios are also required to post warning signs and inform customers of possible hazards, precautions, and counter-indications. A code of professional conduct for tattoo artists is being developed as well.
To date, around 4,000 Bangkok-based tattoo artists have been certified for compliance with the quality standards.