I wanted a meaningful tattoo to remember my Thailand holiday, but ended up mortified when I realised my massive mistake
A BLOKE was in for a shock of his lifetime after forking out for a dodgy tattoo whilst on holiday in Thailand.
The man initially thought the Thai characters on his forearm read ‘’love, peace and harmony”.
However, much to his surprise, eagle-eyed social media users quickly crushed his dreams and brought him a harsh reality check.
The holiday-goer, who shared the snap of his inking on Reddit, was keen to show off the thick Thai letters.
Unfortunately for the tourist, he was shocked when the true meaning was revealed.
The message read Kaeng Khiao Wan Ped Kai, which in fact translates to ‘’spicy green curry with chicken’’ in English.
A version of the aromatic dish, popular with holiday lovers in Thailand, is often made for foodies who are less comfortable with spicy foods.
While the bloke was obviously keen to have a nice reminder of his trip abroad, it seems this was not the kind of sentiment he was going for.
Although it’s not the tattoo he was after, the man tried the authentic version of this dish at a beachfront eatery in Ban Saray, Chon Buri province, according to the post on the forum.
“It (spicy green curry with chicken) was one of the spiciest meals I’ve ever eaten.
”It was at a Bang Saray beachfront restaurant made from an old boat,” he said.
Fellow Redditors who spoke the language tried to let him down gently.
“I’m so sorry to be that guy but that’s not how Thai people refer to the dish. I’m Thai and never in my life have I called green curry [Kaeng Khiao Wan Ped Kai].
”We just call it [Gaeng Khiao Wan Kai]. But at least the spelling is correct,” wrote one Thai speaker.
A survey carried out by YouGov last year revealed that Brits are tattoo lovers.
The findings said that “a quarter (26%) of the British population have tattoos and one in nine (11%) of this group have tattoos that are visible; either on their head, face, neck, forearms, wrists, or hands.”
Sadly for the bloke, with the average price of a tattoo removal in the UK will set him back anywhere from £150 to £200.
Tattoo Do's and Don'ts
1. Think, think and think some more
Tattoos done on a whim are far more likely to lead to regret than a tattoo you thought long and hard about. Think about why you want what you’ve chosen. And if you still want it after a few months, then get it.
2. Age restrictions apply
You must be 18 years old to be tattooed in the UK.
3. Don’t haggle over the price
When you go to a tattoo shop the price is the price. You are paying for an artist’s time and skills, they charge what they believe those things are worth.
4. Don’t get tattooed while you’re hungry
Eat before you go for your tattoo session and make sure you’re hydrated. You’re about to be subjected to a period of sustained physical discomfort, if you’re feeling a little weak from hunger or you’re dehydrated things will not go as smoothly as they should.
5. Don’t drink alcohol before you get tattooed
If you are drunk or under the influence of drugs, don’t go for a tattoo. In fact, if your tattooist has anything at all about them they will turn you away if you are clearly under the influence of any intoxicating substances. I’d also avoid drinking the night before, even a few drinks will thin your blood and make your bleed more.
Today, the majority of inkings ”are removed with a Q-switched laser, which sends out energy in one strong pulse”, Healthline explained.
”This pulse of energy heats up the ink in your skin to dissolve it. You’ll need to receive a number of laser treatments over several weeks or longer to remove your tattoo.
”Older or less complex tattoos will require fewer sessions, while newer or more complex tattoos will require more.”
The removal process will take several sessions, with Redditors hoping the tourist enjoys the meal enough to see it every day in the reflection or whilst getting dressed.