How to get a Sak Yant in Chiang Mai – SAFELY – TREKwithBECK
Sak Yant tattoos have become extremely popular with westerners over the years. Even more when actors like Angelina Jolie started getting them years ago. Of course, there are proper ways to get a Sak Yant and treat a Sak Yant, as well as wrong ways. I have always been drawn to getting a Sak Yant, as soon as I found out about these spiritual tattoos. I have a lot of tattoos, a lot which don’t have any meaning (which is completely fine!). Getting a Sak Yant was the first time I actually wanted a tattoo with some sort of meaning. Never the less, on my trip through Thailand it was inevitable that I was going to get one.
I wanted to get one done at a safe place, with good hygiene. I was also stumped with the question of whether I could even get one, being a female. After extensive research online, I found a place which I cannot recommend more, Sak Yant Chiang Mai. The whole experience was perfect. Even though it is tailored to westerners, I found I didn’t loose any of the spiritual components to the experience.
This blog is going to provide some basic information on Sak Yant tattoos, however I am not an expert. So I would always recommend doing your own research.
What is a Sak Yant tattoo?
A Sak Yant is a form of tattooing that originated in ancient Thai peoples and culture. It is a magical geometrical, animal or deity design. Which accompanied by Pali phrases offers power, protection, fortune and other benefits to the bearer of the tattoo.
Sak Yants are tattooed by ruesi, wicha practitioners or Buddhist monks. They are traditionally completed with a long metal rod, with a sharpened point at the end (Khem sak). Although, it has been modernized to help hygiene standards over the years.
To simplify it, a Sak Yant is a visual representation or talisman of a goal, desire or affirmation, which has been created by a holly man and charged with power.
Where can I get one?
There are many places you can get a Sak Yant tattoo throughout Thailand, however not a lot of them are legit or safe. There are a lot of touristy places which have tattoo parlours offering fake Sak Yants, which are not completed by a Monk or Ajarn. Or Temples where you can get Sak Yants but hygiene and safety standards can be questioned. I would recommend going with a trusted source, such as Sak Yant Chiang Mai. This way they can organise either in-house or a temple visit and make sure it will be safe and hygienic.
Is it disrespectful to get a Sak Yant?
Yes and No. It isn’t disrecpectful to get a Sak Yant if it is completed by a qualified Sak Yant Master. You do not need to be a buddhist to get one of these spiritual tattoos, you just need to commit to the 5 prospects of Buddhism.
It is disrespectful to get a Sak Yant Tattoo from a tattoo artist who is not trained in the magical art and skills of reading the Magical text. This means its disrespectful to get it from a tattoo shop.
Short review of Sak Yant – Chiang Mai
My whole experience from start to finish with Sak Yant Chiang Mai was fantastic. I was treated very well and even had a laugh or two! The Sak Yant master who tattooed me was very friendly, and the team made me feel very comfortable. The work itself is completely up to my standards. I have a lot of tattoos and I am in love with my Sak Yant, it is very well done, especially for a stick and poke!
Inside the shop 
Outside the shop
Its best to arrive to your appointment a little earlier (appointments can be booked online, with a deposit of 1000 Baht), you can then take some time to pick out a Sak Yant and talk to the staff about what you want your Sak Yant to mean.
You are taken into a private room to complete the Sak Yant, which does have AC and pillows for comfort. You will start off by entering the room lower the the Sak Yant master and giving them an offering – which is organised by the team at the shop. Afterwards, the Sak Yant master will say a prayer and your tattoo will begin. Afterwards the tattoo is blessed, and you will be taken out of the room. At the end of the process you are given tea and some tasty treats by the staff.
If you are looking for a safe place to get a Sak Yant, I cannot recommend Sak Yant Chiang Mai more. It is a very professional, safe and clean environment to get a Sak Yant.
The whole process was extremely quick, from picking a design, to the explanation to getting the tattoo itself. I was in and out of the shop within 40mins. You do get a 1-hour session included in the basic price, if you go over this time you will have to pay more. I got a very basic design, if you want something more detailed or a bigger size – you will need to book multiple sessions. You may end up being in there for hours, it really depends on what design you want.
My tattoo only took about 15mins to fully complete, and I am glad it took such little time! I chose to have my Sak Yant on my ribs, which is a painful spot to get any tattoo. I have a high pain tolerance, but it is safe to say I am happy it only took 15mins!!
The fresh tattoo
Sak Yant Chiang Mai offers two ways to get a Sak Yant, in- house or Temple Monk Tour. Both of these options are available from Mon- Sat, but the Temple Monk Tour takes longer than the In-house option.
You will need to make a donation to either the Monk or Ajarn, which starts at 1000 Baht (roughly $43 AUD). It is free for people to watch the in-house Sak Yant, but if you’d like to bring a friend/partner to the Temple, it will cost an extra 500 Baht.
The in-house minimum for a Sak Yant is 2000 Baht (roughly $86 AUD)
The minimum for the Temple Monk tour Sak Yant is 4500 Baht (roughly $195 AUD)
The cost will go up depending on how many you choose to get and how long each piece is going to take. There are multiple designs on their website with an idea of how much either will cost.
Yes you can! But there are a few rules. A female can get a Sak Yant in a temple setting, but it will not be from a monk. There are certain Ajarns who work along side Monks and will complete the Sak Yant, where the Monk will provide the blessing. Sometimes you will need a male present in these situations, but it depends on the Ajarn/Monk – and the company you go with.
Most of the time a female will be tattooed via an Ajarn over a Monk. I also recommend choosing the in-house offer, as it’s much easier for females. The major difference between an Ajarn (almost always an Ex monk) and Monk (someone still engaged in Temple duties), is that an Ajarn will do their Yantra Tattoo for a set fee and will do Tattoo’s on Women.
Sak Yants can consist of sacred images and therefore, certain designs can only be placed on certain parts of the body. Sacred and Buddhist drawings cannot go below the waist, or close to private parts (breasts etc). Images that represent Buddha or the Master Yant’s have to be placed on the back, the arms and side torso. Men can have some designs placed on the thigh.
The feet are off limits for everyone. In Thai culture the feet are the lowest part of the body, it is against the law to point your feet towards a Buddha, or step on money with the image of the King. Only animal designs can be placed below the waist, no images representing Buddha or powerful Yants.
The team at Sak Yant Chiang Mai will let you know where a design can or cannot be placed.
Is it hygienic?
Yes. Sak Yant Chiang Mai change the needles and ink for each tattoo and person. They also whip down any surface or pillow used by each customer. They will make sure the whole process is hygienic and safe.
Final Thoughts
Getting a Sak Yant isn’t something people should take lightly, or just want to get for fun. It is a spiritual tattoo which has rule which should be followed seriously. Or, you are essentially just getting a normal tattoo. The whole process is a very unique experience, which I would recommend to anyone. I would love to go back and get another with another spiritual meaning one day, and I will be heading back to Sak Yant Chiang Mai to get it done.
If you want a hygienic, safe place that doesnt take away from the experience, Sak Yant Chiang Mai is for you. Remember, it is a tattoo and will be on your person for ever!