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

Sak Yant Master Monk Rachon
Monk Rachon, One of the first Monks to suggest the creation of Sak Yant Chiang Mai.

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.
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remy monfries
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Was an amazing experience😊
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Tyler Brown
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10/10 Everyone was so polite and welcoming. The Master was very nice and his work speaks for itself. Would highly recommend stopping by !
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Camilla Innocenti
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Bellissima esperienza, grande professionalità e disponibilità a trovarci un appuntamento anche fuori dell’orario di apertura!
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Yuval Grossmann
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Getting my Sak Yant tattoos in Chiang Mai was much more than just getting tattooed. It was a truly unique and meaningful experience that I'll never forget. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed. Earth and the entire team made me feel comfortable, respected, and genuinely cared for throughout the whole process. Their kindness, professionalism, and calm energy made the experience even more special. I received three Sak Yant tattoos, and every step was handled with great attention to detail and deep respect for the tradition. The Ajarns were incredibly skilled, humble, and welcoming. You could immediately feel that this is a place where the spiritual meaning of Sak Yant is valued just as much as the artistry itself. I left with much more than beautiful tattoos. I left with memories and an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime. I will definitely be returning in January for my next Sak Yant, and I truly can't wait to come back. Thank you to Earth, the Ajarns, and everyone involved for making this such a meaningful experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an authentic Sak Yant journey.
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matteo cannone
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Primo tatuaggio che ho fatto, esperienza fantastica. Personale gentilissimo e super disponibile. Professionalità eccellente.
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amnash kumar
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Best place for getting a sak yant tattoo
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Tommaso Todaro
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Perfect and very kind
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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

About Sak Yant Chiang Mai, Nana

Nana

Founder
A Chiang Mai local who established Sak Yant Chiang Mai and built relationships with local monks and Ajarns.

About Sak Yant Chiang Mai, Ging

Ging

Office Manager
Provides coordination and communication support for guests.

About Sak Yant Chiang Mai's Ajarns and Lineage

Sak Yant Master Ajarn Dang
Sak Yant Master 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
Ajarn Sek - Sak Yant Master

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
Ajarn Beer - Sak Yant Master

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)
Ajarn Non - Sak Yant Master

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
Sak Yant 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
Ajarn Tom - Sak Yant Master

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
Sak Yant Master Monk Rachon

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
Sak Yant Master Monk Eak

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
Sak Yant Monk Aum

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 staff Sak Yant Chiang MNai

Fluk

Happy Fluk staff Sak Yant Chiang MNai

Happy

Berm Staff

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

Sak Yant Chiang Mai Shop
Sak Yant Chiang Mai on Arak Road, Old City

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.

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