Receive a Traditional Sak Yant in Chiang Ma
Work with independent Sak Yant Masters in a clean, comfortable setting, with full guidance and support throughout the process.
About Sak Yant Chiang Mai
About Sak Yant Chiang Mai | Who is Sak Yant Chiang Mai?
Sak Yant Chiang Mai is a Thai run co-operative that connects visitors with experienced Monks and Ajarns who practice Sak Yant within their own traditions. Our role is to provide guidance, translation, and coordination, helping guests approach the experience with understanding and respect. We focus exclusively on Sak Yant, allowing us to offer a structured and informed introduction to this traditional Thai Tattoo practice.
Our Approach
We work with a number of independent Sak Yant practitioners, each trained within their own lineage. Rather than operating as a tattoo studio, we act as a facilitator, helping guests understand the process, communicate with the practitioner, and follow appropriate etiquette. Each Sak Yant is performed according to the method of the Ajarn or monk, including the traditional blessing. We offer a collective Samnak (holy rooms) from our location for many of Chiang Mai's local and independent Sak Yant Masters.
Transparent Pricing
We use a clear and consistent pricing structure based on time and complexity, so guests understand what to expect in advance. Offerings to monks are given and Sak Yant Masters directly, in line with Thai custom.
Western Tattoo Hygiene
New Tattoo Ink and Needles are provided for each guest, and each Sak Yant is applied in accordance with modern western standards.
Authenticity
We are dedicated exclusively to Sak Yant and are the only place in Northern Thailand where both Monks and Ajarns work together to provide a consistent, ethical, and culturally respectful experience.
Sak Yant Chiang Mai | Established in 2016
About Sak Yant Chiang Mai (In a Nutshell)
Sak Yant Chiang Mai began in 2016 as a small, locally run service helping visitors access Sak Yant at Temples.
As interest grew, relationships were developed with a number of Monks and Ajarns who were willing to work with international guests in a more structured and guided way.
Over time, this developed into a co-operative model, allowing multiple independent practitioners to work with us while maintaining their own traditions.
About Sak Yant Chiang Mai (More Details)
In the early days, Nana was one of the few people arranging visits to Sak Yant monks and Ajarns in Chiang Mai. What set her apart was her respectful approach and strong relationships with local Sak Yant masters.
While many guides treated Sak Yant as a simple transaction, Nana focused on guiding guests properly, assisting with communication, respecting temple practices, and supporting both the visitor and the practitioner. She did not negotiate donations or take commissions.
Recognizing this, several Monks and Ajarns encouraged her to create a dedicated service for traditional Sak Yant in Chiang Mai. From this, the idea of a co-operative was formed – where trusted practitioners could meet guests in a structured and respectful environment.
Today, this model allows Monks and Ajarns to come into the city on scheduled days to perform authentic Sak Yant following and maintaining their own traditions and rules of the Samnak.
Many visitors describe their Sak Yant as a meaningful part of their time in Thailand. Our focus is on clear communication, respectful guidance, and helping guests understand the cultural and spiritual context of the experience.
Our Mission
Provide a venue for local independent Sak Yant Masters, both Monks and Ajarns and provide guides for guests to explain, educate, translate and make accessible the traditional Thai Tattoo process to people
Our Vision
Provide the same genuine Sak Yant Experience Thai’s have enjoyed for centuries to interested tourists and Non-Thais.
Values
Respect for Thai cultural and spiritual traditions
Clear communication and honest guidance. Fair and transparent pricing
Supporting local monks, Ajarns, and temples
Meet Sak Yant Chiang Mai's Staff, Guides, Arjans, Monks & Helpers
Nana
Founder
A Chiang Mai local who established Sak Yant Chiang Mai and built relationships with local monks and Ajarns.
Ging
Office Manager
Provides coordination and communication support for guests.
About Sak Yant Chiang Mai's Ajarns and Lineage
Sak Yant Master Ajarn Dang
How Long been a Monk:
10 years
How Long doing Sak Yants:
33 years
Temple Name:
Own Samnak
Distance of Temple:
40 kilometers
Sak Yant Lineage:
5th Generation Sak Yant Master (Family)
Previous Masters:
Sukhawaphuthargo.
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Both
Well known master of Masters, Ajarn Dang reputation extends throughout Thailand with many people coming from outside the area to receive his blessing. Master Dang is known as a Master’s Master, which means he is sought out by many Sak Yant Masters for additional training
Sak Yant Master Ajarn Sak
How Long been a Monk:
12 years
How Long doing Sak Yants:
18 years
Temple Name:
Wat Weluwan |Samnak at Ampur Saraphi , Chiang Mai
Distance of Temple:
15 kilometers
Sak Yant Lineage:
Wat Na Laung Temple, Ampur Pangpueng, in Udonthani
Previous Masters:
Ajarn kamnoeg Singsupa
Ajarn Suchati Boonchu
Ajarn Moon Jongkom
Ajarn Surachai Ngeachat from Shan
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Steele Needle
Ajarn Sek inherited the tradition of Sak Yant from his father and grandfather who taught him traditional Burmese Magic which he learned through memorization. Later while a novice Monk his interest and abilities in Magic increased as he learnt how to read ancient scripts and delved into the Thai magical traditional including the application of Sak Yant Tattoos. Ajarn Sek has a background in the magic practiced by the Northern Tai Yai forest people as well as Buddhist Sak Yant Prayers
Sak Yant Master Ajarn Beer
How Long been a Monk:
12 years
How Long doing Sak Yants:
16 years
Temple Name:
Own Samnak
Distance of Temple:
15 km
Sak Yant Lineage:
3th Generation Sak Yant Master (Family), Wat Aramrongtai, Wat Bang Phra
Previous Masters:
Wat Aramrongtai, Wat Bang Pgra, Grandfather
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Steel Needle
Ajarn Beer, recently left the Monkhood to pursue his family tradition of becoming a Sak Yant Master. Other family members involved in Sak Yant are his cousin Monk Eak. Coming from the famous Wat Bang Phra tradition Ajarn Beer provides excellent quality and looking Thai tattoos.
Sak Yant Master Non (cody)
How Long been a Monk:
12 years, Ajarn November 2025
How Long doing Sak Yants:
3 years
Temple Name:
Wat Suan Dok Temple
Distance of Temple:
3 kilometers
Sak Yant Lineage:
Various Lanna Masters
Previous Masters:
Ajarn Neang (Baan Sak Yant), Ajarn Deang, Monk Aum, Monk Sang
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Steel Needle
Ajarn Non was Monk assistant to Monk Sang at Wat Suan Dok, until he came to work with us at Sak Yant Chiang Mai as customer service staff for 3 years. Ajarn Non continued his studies under various Masters in Chiang Mai and decided in November 2025 he had reached a level of competence of other local masters.
We welcomed Ajarn Non from his transition from staff member to Ajarn in November 2025 when he joined the co-op as a Sak Yant Master.
Sak Yant Master Ajarn Sam
Currently a Monk and not available
How Long been a Monk:
5 years Monk, 8 years Ajarn
How Long doing Sak Yants:
13 years
Temple Name:
Own Samnak
Distance of Temple:
20km
Sak Yant Lineage:
Worapho Temple.
Previous Masters:
Many Masters
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Steel Needle
He began his ordination during a summer novice program at Thudongkhasathan Lanna, as an act of gratitude toward his parents. He then traveled to practice Dhamma at Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Later, he entered full ordination as a Buddhist monk at Wat Chedi Mae Khrua, with Phra Khru Koson Thammawichai, the district ecclesiastical head of San Sai, serving as his preceptor.
He resided at Huai Bong Nai Monastery, then moved to Wat Nam Tok Mae Sa to care for his mother until her passing. Afterward, he relocated to Wat Khiri Banpha (Pang Waen),
He began studying various disciplines at the age of 17, learning from both lay teachers and ordained monks.
Sak Yant Master Ajarn Tom
Currently a Monk Available full back on Saturdays
How Long been a Monk:
12 years
How Long doing Sak Yants:
16 years
Temple Name:
Own Samnak
Distance of Temple:
15 km
Sak Yant Lineage:
3th Generation Sak Yant Master (Family), Wat Aramrongtai, Wat Bang Phra
Previous Masters:
Wat Aramrongtai, Wat Bang Pgra, Grandfather
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Steel Needle
Ajarn Tom is a former Monk who recently left the Temple to take care of his ailing family. Ajarn Tom has many masters from different lineages and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. We are happy to help Ajarn Tom better able to take care of his elderly parents by having him work along side us at Sak Yant Chiang Mai
Monk Rachon Sak Yant Master
How Long been a Monk:
35 years
How Long doing Sak Yants:
35 years
Temple Name:
Nhong Pha Muad
Distance of Temple:
35 kilometers
Sak Yant Lineage:
4th generation Sak Yant Monk
Previous Masters:
Born into the art form
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Steel Needle
Rachan Monk is originally from Phayao, Thailand. He started learning about Sak Yant in 1988 from his grandfather and his father. After that, he has also learnt from many monks and some Ajarns to exchange about Sak Yant knowledge. Then, he has started to do Sak Yant for his students in 1995. Rachan monk will do Sak Yant on only males.
Monk Eak Sak Yant Master
How Long been a Monk:
15 years
How Long doing Sak Yants:
15 years
Temple Name:
Withheld by request
Distance of Temple:
40 kilometers
Sak Yant Lineaae:
4th generation Sak Yant Monk
Previous Masters:
Born into the art form
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Steel Needle
Monk Eak was recently featured in the Chang Phuak Magazine article on Sak Yants. We reached out to him after Monk K became an Ajarn and he agreed to come in on Mondays to perform the Sak Yant for us.
Monk Aum Sak Yant Master
How Long been a Monk:
20 years
How Long doing Sak Yants:
17 years
Temple Name:
Withheld by request
Distance of Temple:
34 kilometers
Sak Yant Lineage:
Wat Salaeng Lamphun
Wat Sung Thammaram
Previous Masters:
Ajarn Kaew San Pa Tong, Ajarn Tongsuk Lamphun, Ajarn Phan Lamphun, Ajarn Town Chiangmai
Tattoo Machine/Steel Needle:
Steel Needle
Monk Aum has been preforming traditional Thai tattoos in the Lanna style for many years. Located in a small rural Temple, Monk Aum offers a unique style and experience, where you get to see the buildings in construction that are created from your donations for a Sak Yant
Sak Yant Chiang Mai Monk and Ajarn Assistants
Fluk
Happy
Born
Understanding Sak Yant
Sak Yant is a traditional practice performed by trained Monks or Ajarns, combining sacred geometry, script, and ritual blessing.
While some modern tattoo studios offer Sak Yant Replica designs, traditional Sak Yant follows a spiritual framework that includes lineage, ritual, and intention.
Our Role
We do not perform Sak Yant ourselves. The Ajarns are local independent Masters with various lineages and trained in Traditional Sak Yant
Our role is to:
* Provide clear guidance and explanation
* Assist with communication between guests and the Monk or Ajarn
* Coordinate appointments and logistics
* Support you throughout the entire experience
Who This Experience Is For
This experience is suited to those who:
* Have an interest in Thai culture and tradition
* Want a guided and structured introduction to Sak Yant
* Are open to following traditional practices and etiquette
