This post is about the experience of getting a traditional Thai tattoo in Bangkok. We also suggest other places in Thailand to get a traditional sak yant. These are “bamboo tattoos” done with a long bamboo pole tipped with a spike. This is how I was able to book a Thai tattoo in Bangkok with an Arjan (a holy man) in Thailand and we tell you how to do it. We highly recommend the company who organised this experience, if you’d like to book your Thai tattoo we’ll show you how. The tour includes a very necessary translator, and transport to the Arjan’s home in Bangkok. Book well in advance if you can.
“I’ve got my traditional Thai tattoo, it’s hours old and I love it. It’s about hand-sized, in the middle of my back and it holds a deep meaning.
It was created by a master Ajarn – Ajarn Neng- with a traditional metal spike. It hurt, only a little. Want to know more?”
There is a lot more to the experience than just turning up at a tattoo shop and picking your design. Sak Yant, the ancient tattoos of Thailand and nearby parts of Southeast Asia, should be more special than that.
This is how I got my traditional Thai tattoo in Bangkok. Mine was given to me by a master, with a personal consultation, blessings and prayers.
I’ll tell you how you can arrange one easily too. I’m a 50-year-old woman, a mum, this isn’t just for men and it’s not just for the young. If I can do it, you can too.
Traditional Thai Tattoo in Bangkok Thailand
This post covers my experience getting a traditional Thai tattoo, a sak yant, from a master ajarn, a holy man. Traditional Thai tattoos involve a long bamboo and metal spike and the design is normally chosen for you based on your spiritual needs.
Traditional Tattooing
My interest in tattooing goes back decades. I started collecting the odd piercing in my 20s and simultaneously began reading about traditional body modifications, tattoo art and cultural and religious practices from around the world.
I’m not heavily tattooed, I’m very average. I had, this morning, 2 small concealed tattoos, one for India, one for Nepal, my favourite places and cultures. Thailand is special to me too so I wanted a Thai tattoo.
I loved the idea of the tattoo being applied by a monk and of receiving the traditional blessings to make the experience a spiritual or magical one. I started researching and promised myself a Sak Yant, the Thai traditional tattoo, for my 50th birthday. After all, my mum can’t tell me I’ll regret it when I’m 50 now.
A friend asked why I’d want tattoos in hidden places, well, they’re for me, not for everyone else. It’s about the experience and the meaning, not fashion. For the record, this has nothing to do with Angelina Jolie’s 5 line Sak Yant. If you want her Arjan, you’re looking at a $1000 bill these days.
Getting a Traditional Thai Tattoo in Bangkok – Video
The video of my sak yant tattoo is very short, give it a watch. It shows Ajarn Neng and his home, where and how I got my traditional tattoo in Bangkok.
Thai Sacred Tattoos
If you know something about the culture and history associated with these ancient designs, the experience will be all the more special. Take a look at this book on sacred tattoo art.
How to Get a Traditional Thai Tattoo in Bangkok
Sak Yant at Wat Bang Pra
Many visitors to Thailand line up to get tattooed at Wat Bang Pra, that’s what I expected to have to do.
I’d read that customers have to wait in line here for their bamboo tattoo after a very early start to get across Bangkok and they don’t use fresh needles for each person.
So, it sounds neat, but I didn’t fancy worrying about sharing needles and dragging my whole family over there to wait in line was not going to win me any popularity awards.
Read more about the experience of getting a Sak Yant at Wat Bang Pra here and find out how you can attend their sacred and spectacular tattoo festival here.
Sak Yant at a Tattoo Shop
You can also buy a Sak Yant design in just about any tattoo shop in Thailand, and there are many.
Tattooists apply them with either machines (tattoo guns) or bamboo, you’ll probably get a great looking tattoo, but you wouldn’t get the full shamanic experience.
Sak Yant With Arjan Neng
My research led me to Ian Ord of Where Sidewalks End Travel who I am now happy to call a friend. This Thailand-loving Canadian can organise your Sak Yant and send you safely to a master Arjan (or Ajarn, Thai spelling seem to have endless variations) with a great history and reputation.
Ian can also provide you with a translator and guide to pick you up from your hotel and take you back again. As Ian wears Arjan Neng’s work and blessings himself, he’s a good recommendation of quality, and makes the whole experience very stress- free and simple.
He’s happy to vouch for the safety of bamboo tattoos, hygiene, and so on. I liked his plan and I’d seen good reports so I can now add my own positive review of Arjan Neng.
It took me a while to book a date, our 6 weeks in Thailand saw us hopping from north to south by train and plane far too often, but I finally found a day that worked and confirmed it through the Where Sidewalks End Travel website. They do need a few days notice and they do get very busy, so if you really want your Sak Yant, book it as soon as you possibly can ( book here). A few major celebrities ( Brooke Shields, Steven Seagal)) have used this Ajarn and Ian’s service, that reassured me on safety even more.
Places to Get a Traditional Sak Yant in Thailand – Outside Bangkok
These Sak Yant experiences have proved so popular that my friend Ian ( the organiser, a Canadian and nice chap) has scoured Thailand looking for similar authentic experiences . He’s found amazing practitioners all over the country and visits each one personally. He recently received his 4 th Sak Yant blessing. Wherever you are travelling in Thailand, whatever your itinerary, he can hook you up with the right arjan and make your experience simple and stress-free.
If you look at Ian’s website you’ll see sacred ink experiences all over Thailand in most major destinations. Have a look here.
If Arjan Neng is fully booked, all is not lost, you could easily get to one of these other destinations, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, etc. We have posts on this website on all of these cities ( and UNESCO sites) in Thailand and you’ll easily find the information you need. Our Sukhothai guide is here. Our Chiang Rai Guide here.
Sak Yant Bamboo Tattoo With Where Sidewalks End
This was how my day went, my whole family’s day, when we went to see Arjan Neng as arranged by Where Sidewalks End. I originally wrote this in the present tense, but it was a while ago now. I’ve left the post as I originally wrote it.
We’re staying at a beautiful guest house in Bangkok. Shanti Lodge it’s in Khao San area, about 15 minutes walk from Khao San Rd, but on a quiet, Thai street just footsteps from the flower market and river jetty. This is a guest house to fall in love with, and it’s cheap. But I’ll post about Shanti Lodge some other time.
Our chaperone, guide, and translator met us at our lodgings at 9.30am. A nice young man, fluent in Thai, English, and Italian, he would get us to the Arjan, introduce us, help us discuss the process and generally baby-sit us for a few hours.
We were a party of 5, 2 kids, so he called an Uber taxi. For groups this big, taxis are cheaper and easier than public transport in Bangkok, with public taxis even cheaper than Uber. The Arjan Where Sidewalks End uses lives in the Sukhumvit district, that’s where the big Bangkok shopping malls are on the other side of the city. We were going to the Arjan’s house and workplace in a quiet residential street. This is real Bangkok, a place no tourist would ever go unless to see Arjan Neng.
As soon as we arrived the process started. The Arjan’s assistant led me in prayers and offerings of incense to Ganesh. The Hindu god Ganesh. Sak yant are pre-Buddhist and portray the wonderful mixture of faiths in Thailand’s history, Buddhism, Animism, and Hinduism. You’ll often see Ganesh at Buddhist temples in Thailand.
You can see video of Arjan Neng at work below. I have my own at the top of the page.
Prayers completed, I stepped into the Arjan’s room. It was rather like meeting a celebrity. This softly spoken Sak Yant master can be found on YouTube and has a big reputation. I knelt before him, careful to keep my head lower than his and my feet pointing away. Chef and the boys came into the back of the room and sat quietly to watch.
The Arjan asked a few questions about me and my needs. He asked how many followers my blog had, 50,000 seemed to go down well with him although he’s not accustomed to social media. He picked my design and showed me. Our translator told me the name and explained it’s meaning but right now I can’t remember, it’s a bit blurry. I’ll email him, he’ll jog my memory.
I liked the design, so we proceeded. I think if you don’t like the sak yant you’re given you can discuss this and change it around, there are hundreds the ajarn can choose from.
I gave the ajarn an offering of flowers and incense, this had been arranged and prepared by my guide, I bent myself into the required position ( which was actually very comfortable, even with 50-year-old joints), and off we went.
What to Wear For Your Bamboo Tattoo
I wore a vest T shirt with the shoulder straps tucked under and a linen shirt for my sak yant appointment. For the tattoo I put the shirt on back to front as bare flesh isn’t cool in Thailand. Don’t wear shorts or anything too revealing.
Pain. Did it Hurt?
Two assistants pushed me into a firm crouch at the Arjan’s feet and held my skin tight. It was slightly worrying that two people were holding me down and wondered what I was in for. I felt the first few jabs of the needle, no pain, just a sensation and waited for it to start hurting. It really hardly hurt at all.
For me, my traditional Thai tattoo didn’t hurt much at all, no more than a modern tattoo and maybe less.
I’d been told that it was 4 times as bad as a machine tattoo and that some people found the pain unbearable. Well, I was fine. One little part hurt like crazy, but only for moments, it passed.
Mental relaxation, self-hypnosis, meditation, I do these things to get me through pain and anxiety and I find they help a lot. I’ve delivered two boys without pain relief, at home, the Sak Yant was a walk in the park.
How Long Does the Traditional Bamboo Tattoo Take?
The Ajarn’s ultra-fluffy cat wandered past, my boys adored and stroked her. His pet cockatoos squawked and talked, all the time he jabbed, his assistants mopped, the process was over in no time.
I’d estimate the whole tattoo took no more than 10 to 15 minutes, but I didn’t time it. He worked incredibly fast, almost as though he was writing on my skin. He was joking and laughing, Chef and our translator were shooting photos and video. It was a cool experience.
Price. Cost To Get a Tattoo from Arjan Neng in Bangkok
This package cost me $250 and for me it was well worth it. Had I not paid and booked I just wouldn’t have got around to doing it and without a translator and guide I couldn’t have visited Arjan Neng. The Arjan speaks no English. The consultation is in Thai, you absolutely need a translator
After the Traditional Sak Yant Tattoo
Once done I received another blessing or magical incantation and a good sprinkling in what I hope was holy water. Arjan Neng finished the job off with a little magic, which he blew into my design. He put his hands on my shoulders for the final chant. It was one of the gentlest, most calming touches I’ve ever experienced.
The usual vaseline and cling film slapped on and it was done. I left with a prayer on a slip of paper and a little Buddha statue. Our translator bought us some excellent duck noodle soup and took us home.
So that’s my Sak Yant story. I’m very glad I did it, the whole experience was good, other than maybe the Bangkok traffic. But you can’t have everything.
How to Book Your Sak Yant Experience
If you’d like to book the same Sak Yant experience, just use my link below to click-through to Where Sidewalks End Travel and reserve a date on the calendar you’ll see.
I’d highly recommend you do but do it well in advance, they sell out fast. They offer other tours and experiences, including the now-famous Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, and can also arrange a Sak Yant for you in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya or Sukhothai too. All of this information can be found on the website below, just click the link.
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If you have any questions, please put them in the comments. I can answer most questions about the process of getting a Sak Yant in Thailand or you can go to Ian’s FAQ page. Ian’s company also organises ink-less experiences in Thailand and many other countries. You can stay with the head hunters of Borneo (as we did – see here) or simply take a tour to see wild elephants or enjoy local festivals. You’ll find them all here. To take a look at Shanti Lodge click through above. Back to our main Travel in Thailand page
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Good to know that works too! I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
I believe that a tattoo is a very serious step. If you have always dreamed of decorating your body with bright realistic colors, but you see that everyone around you began to walk with black primitive drawings and inscriptions, do not rush to betray your dream. Fashion will pass, but the pattern will remain, and there is no easy way to get rid of it. If it turns out that the tattoo is not yours, then one remains on your body and can be seriously annoying. And if you like it, the thin lines of a small picture can float over time: change shape and size. And the choice of a sketch of an “experimental” tattoo is usually not serious. Good luck!
Thanks for your thoughts. I think that those of us who have tattoos like them and never regret them. I’m 54 now and I’ve never regretted any of mine. It’s such a trivial thing to have a little bit of art on your skin, but the meaning to us is precious.
This was really interesting to read! I love the range of posts, there is really something for everyone, great post!
This is awesome. I’m impressed! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how to get a traditional thai tattoo in Bangkok.
i am in 2020. Hope nothing has changed. I am planning to visit in Thailand. i am happy to read your blog where i found that what i was looking for. I am scar to get tattoo but looking forward to make small one on my arms. Thanks for sharing with us.
This was a great read. Thanks. I hadn’t thought of the differences between the tattoo cultures before.
You’re doing a great job. I follow you all the time. If I have money one day, I’d like to travel.
That’s such a beautiful tattoo. I always wanted to get one as well in Thailand, I like the different technique they use! Plus it is a lot cheaper than at home.
Have you booked? Go on, do it! I would never regret getting my bamboo tattoo, loved the experience.
I just had my Sak Yant with Ajarn Neng, During my birthday (same as birthday as King), I had a wonderful experience with the Translator and the service. They sent me also the pictures. Whatever I feel inside of me right now in this current Situation I let Ajarn Neng knows, he decided what is really good for me and I know I will be in the good path. And planning to comeback for the Annual Ceremony. All the best of luck to everyone! ♥️??
I hear Arjan has a rather special new hair do 😉 Glad you had a good experience Angel.
I visited Bangkok in September 2017, and one item on my must-do list was a Sak Yant at Wat Bang Phra. I had read about the ceremony surrounding it, and the meanings of it. The temple itself is striking, beautiful buildings right along the river, statues of tigers and even dinosaurs. But I’d like to clarify a couple of points to the article.
The wait was quite short (it was the rainy season)., but I had read before about how long it can be. But once seated and offerings made, the monk showed me brand new needles, still in the packaging. They may use the same bamboo poles, but they DO NOT re-use needles.
If you have a chance to do so, check out Wat Bang Phra and know that you can do so safely!
Thanks Bob, that’s new then. I haven’t been myself but I know several people who have had a sak yant there as well as go to the sak yant festival, and there were no new tips and an almost full day wait. Cheers.
I am very interested in getting a Sak Yant tattoo in Thailand next month. My biggest worry is about cleanliness. I have read online about reusing the needles/spike as well as dipping into ink used for other people.
Did you experience anything like this? Were you ever worried about this? I’ve read you can bring the ink and needle/spike with you to some places, but I would not want to be disrespectful.
Thanks!
I was talking to Ian, the guy who runs the above trip just a few weeks ago, we had a week together in Sarawak, Borneo – awesome! He has 2 or 3 tattoos from this ajarn, I have 1, various celebrities use him and hundreds, thousands of people. I don’t know of any issues. Ian said this Ajarn has fresh tips for each person. I didn’t notice when I was there, I had my back to him and I just trusted. Yes, it worries me. I also got a tattoo in Kathmandu and that worried me for months afterwards. I used to work in medical science so I fully understand sterilisation and the things you could potentially catch. If you have doubts, talk to Ian, use the links above. I’m sure he can tell you exactly what the proceedure is with this ajarn. If you go to the monasteries yes – you may be sharing.
Loved reading this, I was in Thailand February but never had it done, there is an ajarn for Bangkok ink coming to uk August, so been in touch and going to drive down to have done, would like five lines they quoted me three hundred and fifty inc of activation chant and blessing, so not sure weather to wait till go back to Thailand, as seems cheaper in Thailand
That’s a lot! You can get them pretty much free at the monastery.
Incredible! The overall description of the experience in the post was highly engaging. The best part about the post was it was segmented into divisions, and on the top of that, every segment bears with significant meaning. The write-up is a comprehensive reply to all the queries of a person looking forward to get a traditional Sak Yant tattoos. The use of real images has also added a personal touch to the post.
I would love to buy the sak yant tattoo book. Please advise me on this book, how to buy it.
Just click on the link above and buy it Manjula.
Hi Alyson, love this post. (I’ve read it several times!) I want to get this done when I’m in Bangkok and the husband does too. He wants to know if you can get this on your arm or does it have to be on your back?
Arm is fine. I just think you can’t have it anywhere dis-honourable. Like on your butt. Maybe lower body. But I’ve seen plenty on arms. But the arjan picked my design and told me it was usual to have it on your back. If you want something specific you can ask. Please use my links, it helps me a lot! Thanks.
Getting a traditional tattoo requires a lot of courage. Got to plan one! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how to get a traditional thai tattoo in Bangkok.
Hi, did they use a new needle? Because that’s the only thing stopping me from getting a Sal Yant. Thank you.
There is no needle, it’s a long wood/metal spike.
Sawadee-ka Alyson, I’m very interested in getting a sacred tattoo, too, after several interesting buddhist experiences both in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
As it would be my last day in BKK: How did you proctect your tattoo? The air is so dirty in BKK (I still have problems with a piercing and put plasters onto it every day). Do you recommend a huge plaster, too? The problem is I’m in the city the whole day, then fly back (18 hrs). How can I protect and keep the tatttoo clean?
Thank you for a response!
I was the same! Worried about flying out a day or so later. They’ll cover it with the usual clingfilm, then the usual, wash it constantly, gently, nothing harsh. I tended to wash it in the shower then rinse it off with bottled water ( bring a friend!) . My previous tattoo was in Kathmandu, now that was interesting! and it was on my wrist so an area that got dirty. I just washed it constantly with bottled water. I actually used liquid Dettol soap, you shouldn’t, but I did, then coated it in Vaseline and strapped a very light gauze dressing over the top, so it could breath. I had to be careful that the gauze didn’t stick so it was kind of baggy just to keep the dust and grime out. Bangkok isn’t nearly as grubby, a clean shirt could be all you need. I wouldn’t put a plaster on it, no. To be honest I looked after my Sak Yant very badly, being on my back it was a bit out of sight out of mind, but washing and Vaseline are the usual recommendations. I’ve also been told ( by a UK tattooist, Dai Fleet ) Preparation H ( pile ointment) works well and have from time to time put Savlon on them. I’m still alive and the tattoos are fine.
Hi there, enjoyed reading about your experience getting a traditional Thai tattoo! My boyfriend and I are off to Thailand in November and I’m super keen to experience this. One question…from the moment you were collected to being dropped off, how long did it take? We don’t have much time in Bangkok and there’s lots of things we’d love to experience so we don’t want to figure out if we can fit this in ????
Hi Loren, that would depend where in Bangkok you were staying because the traffic ate up a lot of time. We were near Khao San Rd, Arjan Neng is over in Sukhumvit, we took an Uber taxi because there were 5 of us, but for you they’d probably take you on the transit system. It was about half a day for us. The actual tattoo part I think, with the blessings and chanting, under an hour.
How special for you to have your tattoo completed by such a master! I could never get a tattoo as I am petrified of needles so I admire your bravery. Good on you. It’s a lovely tradition that the tattoo is blessed with gold leaf, too. Glad it was such a positive experience!
Wow, this must have been painful! I know so many bloggers, who got this tattoo. I guess it s a great memory for a lifetime.
No, it wasn’t painful at all Barb. Less painful than a regular tattoo. And yes, I love it still, no regrets at all.
I have three tattoos done with a regular tattoo gun. The sak yant I received definitely hurt more. Our translator and tour guide Petz also said that about 90% of people who have had tattoos with a tattoo gun have also said the sak yant tattoo process is more painful. Totally worth it though. I completed my sak yant about 2 weeks ago with Arjan Neng. 6/2019
Yep, I was warned it hurt more but I hardly felt it. The gun one on my lower back hurt like all hell.
Ah! A tattoo from a foreign land, surely, amuses me. This is so wonderful, its like you carry the baggage of the alien land memories with all along to the old routines. Yes, I have heard of thai people having a sacred meaning to the pious things and also their history.
Wow. That is really diving in the cultural deep end. Good on you. It looks great and what an amazing experience and story to share. I love that he had assistants – what VIP treatment. Very different to a traditional western tattoo parlour for sure.
Gosh, I can’t imagine doing that. You are far braver than me. A very authentic experience though
omg you’re so brave! I can’t even imagine doing anything like that or even getting a normal tattoo haha. And yeah Bangkok traffic is THEEEE worst. I used to live there when I was little and most of my memories are just of me sitting in the car haha
This is really interesting. I didn’t realise Thailand has such a rich tattoo culture. I love the fact they perform an incantation after you get a tattoo. It seems like choosing the right kind of tattoo is really important. I’ll be keeping an eye out for tattoo parlours next time I visit.
You won’t get this in a tattoo parlour Christina, an ajarn is like a monk. The full magic!
This is such a unique experience! It did look kind of painful in the picture but I believe you saying it wasn’t that much. May I ask how much did it cost?
$250 all up, including transport for 4, translator, offerings and lunch 🙂 A sweet deal.
Hello and thank you for your amazing and informative article! My boyfriend and I are currently in Bangkok and have been keen on investing in this experience for quite some time. However, as our trip comes to a close, we find ourselves tight on money but have been wanting to prioritize this. Are you aware if you are to get a particular tattoo (maybe smaller if it fits our discussion with the Ajarn) if the price will be less than $250, or is that a set price regardless of the tattoo you receive. Thank you in advance.
The price is for the day, not the tattoo. He works fast, the size doesn’t make much difference and you will need your guide, Arjan speaks no English. I hope you can do this, it really is speacial.
Loving the design of your tattoo. I am not sure if I have the nerves to do this, but very tempted. My skin looks so bare right now! 😀
I really really want to get this done. I recently got a regular tattoo and hated the feeling though! I love Thailand and I loooove these tattoos though. You are so brave!!
Do it Natasha! I have video of the tattoo I got in Kathmandu too, but I’ve never written the post…I was convinced I had Hepatitis C after that, bad anxiety situation, but I still love it.
You link to another company in the post called Sak Yant Chiang Mai (for what the Sak Yant means) who provides Sak Yants with Monks as well as Ajarns, This seems a better option than the affiliate link you include for Bangkok. Do you know anything about this company? I think going to a Monk is more what I am interested in.
There prices seem almost half of what you would have paid
Do I ? I’ll have to go look. Monks won’t/can’t tattoo women generally, so an Ajarn master is a better option for women. If you go to the temple mentioned above ( near Bangkok), it’s free, if price is an issue, other than the compulsory offerings. I’ve also read that the quality of the Sak Yants from the mass-tattoo places ( monasteries) is poor and hygiene non-existent along with wait times being terrible, so we thought the above experience was by far the best option for us. We were and still are, very happy with our choice and thought it was good value. Had I not picked an option with a price tag, I doubt I would ever have got round to it. Cheers!
Here it is. Very beautiful Alyson; you must be so pleased with it ????
I am, thank you Lucy. Looking forward to summer so it can see the light of day. It’s been buried under multiple layers in Romania almost since it’s birth.
Your tattoo is lovely Alyson. I had to giggle at the “you’ll regret when you’re 50,” line.
She’d still try to tell me off, even at 50 ! If she was speaking to me that is, I think it’s 4 years since she last did that. LOL
That’s such a shame Alyson, so sorry to hear that. I just can’t imagine never speaking to my kids or grandkids, even if I don’t agree with their lifestyle choices.
I do understand it, as I had an argument with someone very dear and close to me about my travel plans for this year. People really get upset and think you’re ruining your life (and your children’s life) by traveling. He thinks I should save more, I “need” a new car (my car runs fine, its just old and not attractive!), the kids “need” to go to a proper school, I shouldn’t waste money visiting Disney again, I could go on but I will stop. It really did hurt, as he implied I wasn’t responsible.
It’s very hard sometimes, having people look down on you like that. I really had to hold my tongue to not say something I’d regret! The hardest thing about being different sometimes, is the way some of your friends or family treat you.
I would also like to get a Sak Yant from Arjan Neng and found your amazing blog doing research.
What is the meaning of your Yant? It Is really beautiful and special.
It reflects the protection I asked for Mari, for family, for health and so on. He asks what your needs are and a little about your life and picks one to suit. They can do all sorts of magic, even find you a good husband.
It is lovely!! This is one thing I really what to get done. While in Chiang Mai, it is the perfect opportunity as i know Where Sidewalk Ends Travel organsies them here aswell. When we make some money this is going to be my first treat.It is such an honor to receive a tattoo and be blessed by a monk. I bet the whole experience was wonderful.
Thank you Finding Beyond! I still absolutely love it and it’s healed up great with just the odd slick of vaseline. Dropshipping is a mystery to me, sounds far too complicated.
Asia is one of the place where tattoo’s tradition is very strong. Choosing to be inked with traditional methods requires a real well matured project. Like a personnalized pattern made by hand with traditional pencils.
No maybe Tibetan caligraphy could be my next one! We can talk about that if you like @Sophie