Query - Bangkok/Pattaya magic tattoo?

[Bam_Bam]

 

Also you need to note there is NO sterilisation and the needles they use whether at a Wat or with an Ajarn have been used on a minimum of 100's of people before

 

Yes there are no recorded cases of HIV from these sak yants, but they dont keep records either. Not saying dont just saying be aware of the real risks

 

Not entirely true that statement, Archan Anek uses alcohol and flame before each new person, to sterilise his needles, just how effective that is, I wouldn't have a clue, all I can say is I never got any infections of any sort from nearly 30 hours of inking, over around 10 or so sessions, over 9 months.

 

Bam Bam

[Slacker]

Have to agree with the point made by Bam-Bam - there is an level of sterilisation, just not the autoclaving and new needle approach we're used to in the West. On sak-yant.com there is a section on the hygeine issue with all practitioners resisting Western sterilisation methods with the exception of one - 'The only master currently offering sterilization of needles with a modern autoclave procedure is the master Ruesi Por Gae Tha Fai at Wat Tong Nai in Bangkok.' - although how you go about this is not mentioned. There is also a note regarding the attitude of the Thai Government after a group of schoolchildren were infected stating that there may be moves to ban 'unhygienic practices' although it is probably unlikely that the government will act speedily or interfere in Buddhist activities. However, it would be nice to be given the choice.

[worthy42]

Well, now they ministry of culture want's to put a ban on tattoos with images of the lord Buddha. I wonder if this is from normal parlors and tourist related activity, or if it will apply to sak yant as well.

 

I had some sak yant done last year by a monk I befriended in Samui and I'm going back soon to spend some time with him. I also planned to go to wat bang phra on the way. But now I'm unsure after seeing a post in the thread about the kind of work they do.

 

Any more thoughts on wat bang phra here?

 

I love mine and they are nicely done. The monk is not a master, but has been tought by one. Mine healed almost instantly and have faded very little.

[PepeLePew]

Well, now they ministry of culture want's to put a ban on tattoos with images of the lord Buddha. I wonder if this is from normal parlors and tourist related activity, or if it will apply to sak yant as well.

 

 

 

Could be a continuation of the rule that states you are not allowed to take any Bhudda image out of Thailand!

[furryman]

I guess it is some push to avoid inadvertently 'offending' someone else's religiosity.

 

http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article10415.html

 

PHUKET: The Culture Ministry has attacked the growing trend for tourists in Phuket and other parts of Thailand to have religious images tattooed on their bodies.

 

It has ordered provincial governors across the country, including Phuket, to crack down on such tattoos, igniting a debate on the human rights implications of forbidding the practice.

 

Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat told reporters on Monday that Phuket's Culture Office had uncovered an “alarming trend": tourists have images such as those of the Buddha, Ganesh and Jesus Christ tattooed on their arms, legs and ankles.

 

It is culturally inappropriate and erodes respect for religion, Mr Niphit said.

 

But the ministry is likely to face an uphill battle to end the practice. The service is highly popular and tattooists can charge extra for such work, with some jobs costing upwards of 20,000 baht.

 

Mr Niphit downplayed the likelihood that the tattoos could be a genuine expression of spiritual belief.

 

The tattoos were just part of a fashion trend among tourists, who most likely did not believe in the religion and were ignorant of the true significance of the image.

 

As a result, Mr Niphit said the ministry's Subcommittee on Safe and Creative Media had decided to order the governors of all Thai provinces to ban foreigners from getting tattoos of religious images of any faith.

 

Governors would be asked to convene meetings of those involved in the industry to ask for their cooperation, he said.

 

“At the meeting, we noted that these tattoos were all over the country, in particular in tourist destinations such as Khao San Road, Tawanna and Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket,” he said.

 

“We have to help prevent images that are respected in various religions from being tattooed onto the body.”

 

People with visible religious tattoos who engaged in “bad behavior” such as “sitting drinking alcohol and arguing” would damage the faiths through association, Mr Niphit said.

Acknowledging that Thai law did not prevent people from getting such tattoos, he said the ministry needed to coordinate with relevant agencies to draft measures to prevent the practice.

 

He would also propose to the National Culture Committee that a law be drafted that forbade the use of religious symbols for commercial purposes. The law, if passed, would affect both those who offered and used such services.

 

Ladda Tangsupachai, director of the ministry's Cultural Surveillance Center, warned that if “people who showed their bodies for a living”, such as “prostitutes” and “go-go dancers”, had such tattoos, it would erode respect for religion.

But Human Rights Commissioner Wasan Panich pointed out that while Thai law prevented people from violating the Thai flag and other national icons, there were no such laws concerning religious symbols.

 

Any law banning the use of such images for commercial purposes must not violate people's rights, because the term “commercial” has a broad meaning, he said.

 

“If people have Buddha images tattooed on their body, on their arms or chest, for example, you can't forbid that because it's not insulting,” he said.

 

“Anyone can get these tattoos because it's their right to do that to their own body.”

 

But, he added, if people had such images tattooed to their ankles or “inappropriate organs”, it could be seen as insulting to religion.

 

“For example, if a foreigner got a tattoo of the Buddha on his ankle, Buddhists would see that as insulting to their religion,” he said.

 

“But if a foreigner gets a cross on his ankle, Buddhists probably wouldn't think anything of it, but other foreigners might not be satisfied.”

 

“Because of that, the basic principle is that you must respect the rights of the individual, but you must not violate the rights or beliefs of others,” he added.

 

This one really boggles me.

Edited June 1, 2011 by furryman

[Bam_Bam]

Personally I don't believe they are targeting the Sak Yant type tattoo, more the big colourful things you see coming out of Tattoo shops, which in the main, are purely for show and hold no religious significance at all.

 

Bam Bam

[Slacker]

I agree with Bam, trying to ban sak yant will not be a popular move with the Thais. As long as there is an element of respect, I can't see the problem with them. Now, if some bimbo gets a Buddha on her cleavage or a*se, then I can see why some would get concerned especially if flaunted in an inappropriate manner.

[Jebb]

As much as I have tried to stay out of this discussion, for obvious reasons, I would like to thank everyone for their input as I have found it most interesting to hear everybodys point of view.

[worthy42]

I hope they wont go insane about it as ill go to get some yant in 5 days. Still like to hear from people that have been to wat bang pra and what they thought.

 

Thanks

[Slacker]

I've always wanted to visit Wat Bang Phra for a sak yant, although yet to organise one due to logistics and time restraints. I'm hoping that this November will be different. I'd thought that it may be too busy due to it's popularity and reputation, but as long as you don't pick the Wai Khru ceremony (March) I figure that crowds won't be so bad if you turn up early enough. While researching I found Gavin Gough's excellent pictures of the 2010 Wai Khru ceremony.

[worthy42]

I'm about to do a 6 h drive there. Hope it'llbe good.

[R-KivE]

Are you serious about Buddhism? Whats your reason for wanting one?

[worthy42]

Are you serious about Buddhism? Whats your reason for wanting one?

Well of course I am, also have 3 sak yants already from a monk in Samui that I consider a very good friend. I'll visit him and spend time with him next week. I also used to live here. I have a thai wife and her family is my family. I speak the language and I try to implement the positive things I see in my everyday life. Am I a full blown Buddhist? No, not yet anyway, can't say that I know enough about to consider my self Buddhist. But perhaps 1 day I will be. I am learning and I spend a lot of time during my travels speaking with the thai monks. I know a lot more than most foreigners that mess about in this country. But it's not something I put on in the morning and learn in a few days. Maybe I'll never be a Buddhist, but I'll know a lot of positive things from it I can use regardless.

 

The long drive was tough. Have sleept about 3 hours in the last 2 days. I had a "Phra Bid Daa" yant made at wat bang phra and I'm very satisfied. Only downside was that the monk asked for 1000B along with the flowers and cigarettes offered. I dont mind paying 1000, but I saw thais paying 200B. Had I not been driving all night and not wishing to screw it all up, I'd have challenged the idea that falangs should pay more. I spoke for some time in thai with the monk and he was quite friendly. If I go again, I certainly will. But all in all a good experience and I'd go again.

 

Temple is big and it's recomended to spend some time there. Don't miss out on the big chedi in Nakom Phatom city either. Well worth a visit.

Edited June 9, 2011 by worthy42

[PepeLePew]

Well of course I am, also have 3 sak yants already from a monk in Samui that I consider a very good friend. I'll visit him and spend time with him next week. I also used to live here. I have a thai wife and her family is my family. I speak the language and I try to implement the positive things I see in my everyday life. Am I a full blown Buddhist? No, not yet anyway, can't say that I know enough about to consider my self Buddhist. But perhaps 1 day I will be. I am learning and I spend a lot of time during my travels speaking with the thai monks. I know a lot more than most foreigners that mess about in this country. But it's not something I put on in the morning and learn in a few days. Maybe I'll never be a Buddhist, but I'll know a lot of positive things from it I can use regardless.

 

The long drive was tough. Have sleept about 3 hours in the last 2 days. I had a "Phra Bid Daa" yant made at wat bang phra and I'm very satisfied. Only downside was that the monk asked for 1000B along with the flowers and cigarettes offered. I dont mind paying 1000, but I saw thais paying 200B. Had I not been driving all night and not wishing to screw it all up, I'd have challenged the idea that falangs should pay more. I spoke for some time in thai with the monk and he was quite friendly. If I go again, I certainly will. But all in all a good experience and I'd go again.

 

Temple is big and it's recomended to spend some time there. Don't miss out on the big chedi in Nakom Phatom city either. Well worth a visit.

 

The great thing about Buddhism compared to all other religions is you can take as much or as little as you like from it. You don't need to be christened or circumcised to call yourself a Buddhist, you simply say you are! Believe me some of the 'foreigners that mess about' know more about true Buddhism than many who are 'born and raised' Buddhist. Considering it is really more of a philosophy than a religion in the true sense of the word I wonder how many people born into a Buddhist country and way of life are really aware of it's true nature.

[worthy42]

Good point. I was mostly leaning towards the ones messing about this and that ending up with a drunken tattoo of a Buddha. Or people getting sak yant for fashion purpose only. It think there is a statement in all the people gettin sak yant, thai and falang. There is fashion mixed in for all imo. But for many, it is so much more and what you get out of it probably varies from each person.

[PepeLePew]

Good point. I was mostly leaning towards the ones messing about this and that ending up with a drunken tattoo of a Buddha. Or people getting sak yant for fashion purpose only. It think there is a statement in all the people gettin sak yant, thai and falang. There is fashion mixed in for all imo. But for many, it is so much more and what you get out of it probably varies from each person.

 

Absolutely, I'm sure many people get Sak Yant and Buddha tattoos without knowing or caring the first thing about it. Similarly the same thing happens with crucifixes and Christian symbolism as well as Hindu, Islamic etc etc. Remember the craze for Celtic symbols which reached worldwide, far beyond who might actually be able to claim Celtic roots.

 

As you say you can get as much out as you wish. What I like is that Buddhism, unlike other systems, asks nothing of you so is particularly suited to someone like me!

[Slacker]

Absolutely, I'm sure many people get Sak Yant and Buddha tattoos without knowing or caring the first thing about it...

 

I expect that the people making an effort to get an authentic Sak Yant will have an interestin Buddhism on some level, whereas those that are willing to (over)spend on a tattoo shop replica are probably getting one for fashion purposes. However, fashion is probably the biggest drive for getting tattoos these days.

[honkytonkjim]

I got a temple tatto done about 30 clicks west of Udon Thani in February this year. The TG I was seeing went home I and I went with her as she was going to get a tattoo done.

 

 

The Gao Yord Yant or 9 Spires Yant is a sacred tattoo with magical powers which will protect and bring good luck to the bearer and has a similar meaning to another Sak Yant design, the Hah Taew Yant.

 

The Gao Yord Yant is usually tattooed on the nape of the neck but may also be placed elsewhere. The 9 Spires Yant is a geometric design and represents the 9 Sacred Peaks of Mt. Meru and also contains 9 symbolic images of the Lord Buddha, demonstrating just how important the number 9 is in Buddhism. The Buddhas are the 3 ovals, in diminishing sizes, placed one above each other.

 

You don't pay the monks direct you offer the money to the shrine behind him

Cost was 1800 THB I think, maybe 2000 THB max as I remember not having to go to my bag for more money.

 

 

The the big buddha blesses it

Edited June 11, 2011 by honkytonkjim

[Slacker]

Latest news on the 'tattoo storm' in Phuket.

[Fein]

This is the only kind of tattoo I would ever even consider, but I'll give it a few years and will study more the language, culture and history first.

[worthy42]

I had a nice exp at wat bang phra. But the "hidden" 1000b charge was didsappointing. I did not mind paying, if it was equal to all and was disolayed somewhere. Thais pay 200

[jumpman233345]

Hey all.

I started a topic a while ago regarding sak yants, If you dont mind could you look at this link and try and tell me what these three yant mean/represent?

thanks

Dave

http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/86044-what-does-these-sak-yant-tattoos-meanrepresent/

[ryouz]

from what i hear there are so many rules attached to this particular 'magic tattoo' for it to work.. like you can't lie, can't go down on women, can't drink alcohol, etc.

but i've also heard of people who have these tatts (and people who wear various amulets) miraculously walk away from fatal accidents.

 

it could be the effect of those things or it could just be pure chance and luck.

[Sammy99]

Wat Bang Phra is approximately 30 miles West of Bangkok and is very popular for people wishing to receive traditional Sak Yant tattoos. It could well be a long day-trip from Pattaya and would require a bit of planning from someone familiar with the routine, but maybe your BF could help you out if you got on well with her. Failing that, I was offered a bamboo tattoo with traditional Sak Yant themes from 'Bamboo' tattoo shop situated on Soi 3 near the Second Road end.

[exile aberdeen]

Has anyone been to anywhere else in Pattaya for one?

I think I might just got to Ajarn Anek for the quality of his work as it's rated very highly.