Thialand: How Do They View Beards and Mustaches?

What Do People from Thailand Think of Beards? Traditionally, Thai society views beards as unkempt or unprofessional, favoring a clean-shaven look. However, younger generations, influenced by Western trends, are increasingly accepting neatly groomed facial hair, especially in urban areas. Beards are more common in Thailand’s southern provinces due to cultural and religious influences.

For decades, facial hair in Thailand wasn’t just uncommon—it was frowned upon. A smooth, clean-shaven look wasn’t just preferred, it was expected. Older generations saw beards as messy, rebellious, or even a sign of poor hygiene. ¹

Contents

Why Clean-Shaven Was the Only Option

Where Facial Hair Was Always Accepted

How Thai Men Are Redefining Grooming

Not Everyone Is On Board Yet

What’s Next?

But times are changing. Walk through Bangkok today, and you’ll see something new—young men proudly sporting neatly trimmed mustaches, goatees, and even beards.

So, what caused this shift? And why did Thailand resist facial hair for so long?

In metropolitan areas such as Bangkok, younger generations are embracing more diverse grooming styles

Why Clean-Shaven Was the Only Option

Traditionally, Thai men kept their faces smooth, believing it symbolized respectability and cleanliness. For years, this wasn’t just a matter of preference—it shaped job opportunities, social standing, and even personal relationships. ²

A foreign teacher in Thailand once shared how he returned from vacation with a short beard. The moment he stepped into the school, a colleague bluntly told him, “You can’t do that.” The beard had to go—immediately.³

In corporate offices, government roles, and teaching positions, beards were often seen as unprofessional. It didn’t matter if they were well-groomed; if you had facial hair, you risked being perceived as scruffy or unreliable.

Where Facial Hair Was Always Accepted

While Bangkok and other urban centers clung to the clean-shaven norm, things were different in Thailand’s southern provinces. In areas with a significant Muslim population, beards have long held cultural and religious significance. ⁴

Unlike in the capital, where beards were linked to untidiness, in the south, they symbolized faith and tradition. This contrast highlights how grooming standards aren’t just about fashion—they’re shaped by culture, religion, and society.

How Thai Men Are Redefining Grooming

So, what changed?

Younger generations, particularly in cities, started challenging these old norms. Social media played a massive role—suddenly, Thai men were exposed to global fashion trends, Hollywood actors, K-pop idols, and Western grooming styles.

Slowly but surely, facial hair started creeping into mainstream Thai culture. Celebrities and influencers began embracing well-groomed mustaches and goatees, subtly reshaping what was considered “acceptable.” ⁵

experiment with beards, goatees, and mustaches. While full beards remain less common, the neatly trimmed goatee or mustache is becoming more accepted

Take actor Sunny Suwanmethanont, for example. He’s one of the few Thai celebrities who wears facial hair confidently, and it hasn’t hurt his career—it’s made him stand out.

Or look at Thai musicians who have adopted a rugged, artistic look. Their growing fan bases are proof that beards aren’t just acceptable—they’re cool.

Not Everyone Is On Board Yet

Despite this shift, not everyone is ready to let go of the clean-shaven ideal. In traditional industries like banking, government work, and high-end hospitality, facial hair is still seen as unprofessional.

Younger generations, especially those who follow international fashion trends, find it increasingly acceptable to sport well-groomed facial hair

Even today, older generations might view beards as a sign of laziness or a lack of discipline. Some men even report being advised to shave before job interviews—just to improve their chances.

For now, Thailand is in a grooming gray area—beards and mustaches are becoming more common, but full acceptance is still a work in progress.

What’s Next?

It’s clear that Thailand’s view on facial hair is evolving. While older generations may still prefer the clean-shaven look, younger men are rewriting the rules.

As fashion trends shift and global influences continue to shape grooming standards, the stigma surrounding beards may eventually disappear.

One thing is certain: the days when facial hair was completely off-limits are long gone.