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Who is Napat Mitmakorn? 9-year-old tattoo artist who shocked the world with his skills

Napat Mitmakorn's father said the nine-year-old learned tattooing from TikTok tutorials and practised on paper before using artificial leather.

Updated on: Mar 18, 2025, 14:09:50 IST
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Napat Mitmakorn, a tattoo artist from Thailand, is making waves around the world. And why? It’s because he is just nine years old. Under his father, Nattawut Sangtong’s guidance, he started watching tattooing videos on TikTok and practising on paper, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Nine-year-old Napat Mitmakorn, a Thai child tattoo artist, works on his uncle’s tattoo. (AFP)
Nine-year-old Napat Mitmakorn, a Thai child tattoo artist, works on his uncle’s tattoo. (AFP)

Soon, however, he graduated to artificial leather. Now, he confidently tattoos different creatures of Hindu and Thai mythology on his family members who “trust him.” According to the outlet, the kid, who until now only practised in private, made his public debut at the Thailand Tattoo Expo, surprising the visitors. The kid who captivated the crowd’s attention among 200 tattoo artists is affectionately known as Knight.

Napat Mitmakorn, a nine-year-old Thai child tattoo artist, at the 2025 Thailand Tattoo Expo in Bangkok. (AFP)
Napat Mitmakorn, a nine-year-old Thai child tattoo artist, at the 2025 Thailand Tattoo Expo in Bangkok. (AFP)

How did it all start?

Sangtong told the outlet that he introduced his son to the world of tattooing to keep him from getting addicted to online gaming. “I just wanted to keep him away from his phone because he was addicted to gaming and had a short attention span,” he said.

Sangtong, 38, works at a block printing factory. He practices the art of tattooing with his son. In fact, they jointly run social media channels where the father-son duo shows their incredible tattooing skills. The TikTok channel is named “The Tattoo Artist with Milk Teeth.”

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Sangtong, an amateur tattooist, told the outlet that he and Mitmakorn started learning how to tattoo together after watching online videos. However, he soon realised that his son was talented, and the kid swiftly picked up the skills because of his love for art. As the father told the outlet, Mitmakorn’s favourite subject in school is art.

Since then, Sangtong has regularly coached his son for two hours every three days a week.“It’s not just tattooing; it’s like meditation,” the father said.

As the nine-year-old debuted at the expo, his uncle, Naruebet Chonlatachaisit, became his subject. Talking about the kid’s skills, he said, “I trust him, and I think he’ll only improve.” As per the outlet, Knight was seen working on a tattoo on his uncle’s leg at the expo.

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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