A series of interesting photos here. I’m not into tattoos myself, and the wife would probably skin me alive if I ever got one, but I have to admit they do some very good work in Thailand.
It’s not all merely decorative either. There are lots of ancient tattoos that are designed to protect the wearer, making them immune to bad look, bullets, stuff like that, sort of a poor man’s social security. There’s often some sort of magic ceremony that must accompany their drawing. They can get pretty elaborate, tattoo and ceremony alike.
"It is a deeply spiritual festival, with intoxication of any form completely forbidden and the seated monks and devotees who attend can often be glimpsed in deep meditation" except for the young devotee in the center left of picture five, who appears to be texting during a ritual.
