BKK INK in the Press, on TV and in Travel Guides
Tattooing on Khaosan Road since 2009 · 12 artists · 57 convention awards
Our studio has been featured in tattoo magazines in France, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, in a Hachette book about the Mondial du Tatouage, on Thai television and in online travel guides. Much of this coverage followed our artist Ball BKK's first prize for Best Back or Bodysuit at the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, a win that helped put Thailand on the world tattoo map.
By the BKK INK Team · Updated October 2026
Tattoo magazines
Three tattoo magazines covered our studio in 2014: RISE Tattoo Magazine in France, Skin Deep in the United Kingdom and Z Tattoo in Scandinavia. The framed originals hang in our studio on Tanao Road, and you are welcome to look at them when you visit.
RISE Tattoo Magazine, France (issue 31, July-August 2014)
The French magazine put our studio on its cover, listed as "BKK aka Khao San Ink", and ran a feature over several pages written by journalist Laure Siegel, with photographs by P-Mod. It is a portrait of the studio and its team, from Ball's early years to his win in Paris, and a look at a Thai tattoo scene that was changing fast. RISE was published in France until 2018 and is listed in the catalogue of the National Library of France.
Skin Deep, United Kingdom (issue 241, September 2014)
Billed on its cover as the UK's best selling tattoo magazine, Skin Deep ran a road-trip feature on our studio in its Sacred Tattoo Temple section. It follows the team on Khaosan Road, mentions Ball's first prize at the Mondial du Tatouage, and shows several pieces from our artists' portfolios.
Z Tattoo, Scandinavia (issue 21, 2014)
In its report on the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, Z Tattoo lists "Ball, BKK Ink, Bangkok" as number one in the Best Back/Bodysuit category, with a photograph of the winning back piece.
In a book about the Mondial du Tatouage
Ball BKK has his own page, page 129, in "Mondial du Tatouage, sous le regard de Tin-Tin" (Hachette Pratique, 2018, ISBN 978-2-01-391902-9), written by François Chauvin with photographs by Valéry Guedes and Anthony Dubois. The book presents 100 tattoo artists from around the world, and Ball's page covers his studio, his style and his favourite conventions.
On Thai television: Super Mum, Workpoint TV
In March 2022, Ball was a guest on Super Mum, a Workpoint TV show hosted by Mum Jokmok. He was invited because he had taught the actress Kratip to tattoo. On set he showed part of his trophy collection and brought one of his clients along, so viewers could see his work on skin rather than on a screen. You can watch the episode on Workpoint's official YouTube channel.
In online travel guides
Travel writers and city guides also recommend the studio online. We add every article that features the studio to this page, with a link so you can read it in full.
Out of Town Blog: Get a Tattoo in Bangkok
Melo Villareal's guide to getting a tattoo in Bangkok sorts the city's studios by neighbourhood and presents BKK INK with its convention awards and its address on Tanao Road, across from Khaosan Road. Read the guide on Out of Town Blog.
Thairanked: Tattoo Studios on Khaosan Road
This Thailand travel guide, published in several languages, ranks BKK INK first among the tattoo studios on Khaosan Road and describes a clean, professional studio with a friendly atmosphere, popular with international travellers. Read the ranking on Thairanked.
Traditional Bodywork: Most Popular Tattoo Studios on Khao San Road
Elissa's guide to the tattoo studios of Khao San Road presents BKK INK with its twelve resident artists, its 57 international convention awards and its opening hours, every day from noon to 11pm, walk-ins welcome. Read the guide on Traditional Bodywork.
Siam Green: 10 Best Tattoo Shops in Bangkok
This guide to Bangkok's tattoo shops, sorted by nearest train station, presents BKK INK as the first studio in Bangkok to get a licence, with Ball BKK's first prize at the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris in 2014 and the 57 awards won by its twelve artists. Read the guide on Siam Green.
Kreafolk: Top 10 Tattoo Shops in Bangkok
Kreafolk's list of tattoo shops to visit in Bangkok ranks BKK INK second, and presents the studio with its twelve resident artists, its 57 convention awards, including a first prize at the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris in 2014, and more than 40,000 tattoos completed since 2009. Read the list on Kreafolk.
Kreafolk: Top 10 Tattoo Shops in Thailand
Kreafolk's nationwide list ranks BKK INK second among the tattoo shops to visit in Thailand, describing a well-established Bangkok studio that works across realism, Japanese, fine line and black and grey, takes time to discuss each design with the client, and takes hygiene seriously. Read the list on Kreafolk.
Thailand Nomads: 15 Tattoo Studios in Bangkok
Joy Ann Intisuk's guide for travellers and digital nomads lists BKK INK fourth among 15 Bangkok studios, calling it a legend of Thailand's local ink scene, with award-winning artists working across many styles, from hyper-realism to neo-traditional. Read the guide on Thailand Nomads.
TheTravel: Where To Go In Thailand If You're Seeking A Traditional Tattoo
Aunindita Bhatia's guide to getting tattooed in Thailand includes BKK INK among its places to visit, describing a studio on Khaosan Road run by award-winning tattoo artists. Read the article on TheTravel.
Vietnam Découverte: Thai tattoos and the secrets of Sak Yant (in French)
This French guide to Sak Yant and traditional Thai designs, by local guide Adam LE, recommends BKK INK for getting tattooed in Bangkok: near Khaosan Road since 2009, Japanese, realistic and Thai styles, and a team that speaks English and French. Read the guide (in French) on Vietnam Découverte.
Thaiunika: Top 10 Tattoo Studios in Bangkok (in Italian)
Thaiunika's Italian guide ranks BKK INK fourth among the ten best tattoo studios in Bangkok, praising its hyper-realistic and neo-traditional work, its award-winning artists and its focus on quality and hygiene. Read the guide (in Italian) on Thaiunika.
Il Taccuino di Viaggio: What to See in Bangkok in 2 Days (in Italian)
Katia's two-day Bangkok itinerary includes a tip for tattoo lovers that names BKK INK as one of the best-known studios in the city, and arguably the most awarded in Thailand: opened in 2009 on Tanao Road, across from Khaosan Road, with every style from realism to Sak Yant, vegan inks and walk-ins welcome. Read the itinerary (in Italian) on Il Taccuino di Viaggio.
How a first prize in Paris put Thailand on the world tattoo map
In 2014, Ball BKK won first prize for Best Back or Bodysuit at the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, one of the most prestigious tattoo conventions in the world. We remain the only Thai studio ever to win a first prize there, and that win helped put Thailand on the world tattoo map. The organiser lists Ball BKK among its exhibiting artists for 2026. It is why tattoo magazines in France, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia came to tell our story: Z Tattoo covered the convention itself, while RISE and Skin Deep looked at the team behind the win, a studio that had opened on Tanao Road, right across from the entrance of Khaosan Road, in 2009. Since then our twelve artists have won 57 awards at tattoo conventions, including two first prizes at the Singapore Ink Show in 2023, which arguably makes our studio Thailand's most awarded. You can see the full list, year by year, on our awards page, and the work behind the Paris prize on Ball's page.
See the originals at the studio
The framed magazines hang in our studio at 143 Thanon Tanao, right across from the entrance of Khaosan Road, open every day from noon to 11pm. Ask at reception and we will show you the pages, along with the trophies our artists have brought back from conventions such as Paris and Singapore.
Press and media enquiries
Journalists, producers, travel writers and bloggers can reach us through our contact page. We are happy to arrange a visit, interviews with our artists and photographs of the studio and their work. We speak English, Thai and French.
Frequently asked questions
Has your studio been featured in the media?
Yes. In 2014 our studio was featured in RISE Tattoo Magazine in France, Skin Deep in the United Kingdom and Z Tattoo in Scandinavia. Ball BKK also has a page in a Hachette book about the Mondial du Tatouage, and he was a guest on Workpoint TV's Super Mum in March 2022. Online travel guides such as Out of Town Blog and Thairanked also recommend the studio.
Which prize did your studio win at the Mondial du Tatouage?
In 2014 our artist Ball BKK won first prize for Best Back or Bodysuit at the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris. No other Thai studio has ever won a first prize at this convention.
Why was Ball BKK on Super Mum?
Ball was invited to Workpoint TV's Super Mum in March 2022 because he had taught the actress Kratip to tattoo. He showed part of his trophy collection on set and brought one of his clients to show his work in person.
Can I see the magazines at the studio?
Yes. The framed originals hang in our studio at 143 Thanon Tanao, across from the entrance of Khaosan Road. Ask at reception, any day from noon to 11pm.
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Book a free consultation143 Thanon Tanao, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 · +66 2 629 2475 · Open daily 12:00–23:00