How do you get a haircut in Thailand if you don’t speak Thai? It’s one of those things I didn’t think about until I needed one. This probably won’t be an issue for someone on a short stay, but those planning to be here more than thirty days will have to deal with it.

By total accident, I discovered an English speaking cutter (stylist) in a shop at the MBK mall. I was walking by the shop when a guy came out and told me, in English, there was no waiting if I wanted him to cut my hair. I’m pretty sure the name of the shop is Vincent, located on the third floor (3C-44). I believe most of the stylist shops are on the third floor. A few may be on the second.

Source: Cutey and Beauty

The cost of a shampoo and cut was 500 Baht (approx. $14). Compared to American standards this is a good price. By Thai standards it’s very expensive. Neighborhood shops typically charge one or two hundred Baht, including massage and shampoo. The problem is you are not likely to find a cutter that speaks English.

I have been back to this same shop and gotten just a haircut, no shampoo, for 400 Baht. Each time I got a different cutter, and all spoke enough English to get the job done. However, quality of haircut does vary, depending on the stylist.

I’m not overly picky about the quality of a haircut. Years ago a barber told me the difference between a good haircut and a bad one is about 4 days. Over the years I’ve found that to be fairly accurate.

I have nothing to back this up, but I’m guessing you can find one or more cutters that speak English in any of the shops at the big shopping malls.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Cutey and Beauty. They are located in the heart of the Silom gay club district, and I have no doubt those boys speak English. I never had an occasion to try them. It never seemed to be convenient for me to get my hair cut while in Silom. I’ll say one thing for them; they’ve done an excellent job of marketing themselves on the Internet.

Source: Cutey and Beauty

I did eventually find a shop in the neighborhood I was living. Most, if not all, working there were gay. None spoke very much English, and the quality of hair cut varied from one cutter to the next. There was one Lady Boy that came in on Fridays and Saturdays that was very good. Unfortunately those are the worst days to get a haircut, because all the boys are in getting their hair styled for the weekend. This shop charged 150 baht for shampoo massage and cut.

Despite the language barrier, I think it’s reasonably safe to just let them cut your hair the way they think it should be done.  All though they do sometimes need some help determining what direction you part your hair.  If you really want to play it safe, take a photo of you with your hair the way you like it to look.

By my observation most, if not all, shops have no real sanitation standards with cutting tools.  Short of wiping excess hair off, nothing is cleaned between customers.  Perhaps their thinking is your hair has been washed, so no worries.

It is quite common for the cutter to say “I am sorry” just as he or she begins.  This is because in Thailand it is considered inappropriate to touch another person’s head.

Apparently Thais believe it is bad luck to get your hair cut on a Wednesday.  I never checked to see if shops close on Wednesdays, but would not be surprised if that’s the case.  I seem to recall the same was true in America, with the old style barber shops, but that has faded with the transition to the trendier stylist shops, like Super Cuts.

As a side note…

The Thai boys, with elaborate hairstyles, will go to the local shop and get their hair done for the weekend. If they are careful not to mess it up, it will last them two or three days. I think it only costs them 100 Baht to look there best for a weekend of clubbing. As I’ve mentioned before, if you take one of these guys home, don’t plan on being allowed to touch the hair. It will go over like a fart in church.