How much does a Sak Yant Cost?

What are you likely to pay for a Sak Yant Tattoo

The price of Sak Yant Tattoos varies a lot. At Sak Yant Chiang Mai they range from $60 to $200 dollars (2000-6000 Baht) depending on size and complexity.

In the Islands, Phuket or Bangkok the same Sak Yant Tattoo from a Sak Yant Master will range from $120-600

A Tattoo Shop Fake from almost anywhere in Thailand (incorrect text and no blessing) from $150-1000+

Table of Contents

Different Sak Yant Pricing around Thailand

This Sak Yant Pricing page deals with the Sak Yant costs at Sak Yant Chiang Mai. We know for a fact that we offer genuine Sak Yant tattoos with a blessing for around half the price of Bangkok, Phuket or a tattoo shop providing fakes under the term ‘Bamboo tattoo’. For a full explanation of why Sak Yant Tattoo’s are not Free you can read Why Sak Yant Tattoos are not Free

At Sak Yant Chiang Mai we use the set pricing approach, which depends on the size, complexity and time involved. We feel this approach is the most fair, as you get to work out how much your Sak Yant tattoo costs before arriving for your appointment. Other Arjans around the country will use the Sliding Scale method, in which you usually are charged more the less you know (double pricing for tourists).

We have many people travel from around the country to use Sak Yant Chiang Mai, because they have discovered not only are we the most transparent and actually show our pricing (rather than making you contact us to negotiate) – Sak Yant Chiang Mai consistently offers the lowest prices for the same Sak Yant Tattoo. Our cost for a Sak Yant Tattoo is almost 1/2 what you will pay anywhere else.

Set Fee Approach

Used by Sak Yant Chiang Mai

This approach is what the westerner is more used too in their own countries. Set prices exist and are displayed along side of the image in a pricing catalogue or design book. The price depends on the size, complexity and duration it will take to complete.

Most Sak Yant Guides and tour agencies operate this way, so that the person getting the Sak Yant is fully aware of the costs before they approach the Sak Yant Master

Sliding Scale Approach

Used by many Independent Masters

Here the Sak Yant Master will base the price based on how prepared you are (speak Thai or have a translator), understand the traditions of the Yant and the meanings of the designs etc.

Pricing can differ by up to four times with the same Ajarn giving the same Sak Yant to different people.

Donation Approach

This is the least understood aspect and is often reported incorrectly, which is why you can not believe every blog-post you read.

The donation approach comes in two forms, your offering (often a few hundred baht) and a cash donation for the Sak Yant Masters time.

This really requires a good understanding of the value of the service being provided. Mostly uses at Wat Bang Phra and very rural Ajarns in small villages.

The Components of Sak Yant Costs

There are two components to paying for a Sak Yant Tattoo. Both are essential although many bloggers confuse the two and call the ‘Offering’ the ‘Donation’ and write about how cheap it was to get their Sak Yant. In reality they also probably did not get to choose their Sak Yant Design, because they did not show respect for the Sak Yant Masters skill and time.

The Offering

The Offering is made to the Sak Yant Master or Temple Monk to show respect for the Temple and Master. This usually consists of some flowers, cigarettes and costs around 20-100 Baht.

The Donation

This is what you offer to the Sak Yant Master for their skill and time for the particular Sak Yant design you are requesting. This ranges from a few hundred to thousands of baht depending on who is doing it and what design is choosen

Some people confuse the fact that Thai Monks are not allowed to receive money for personal use as a justification to not pay the Donation aspect of the Sak Yant Costs. Monks are however able to accept Donations which they then give to the Temples without any problem. This is after all how the Temple survives

When using a service like Sak Yant Chiang Mai, we give a total price including the service (In-House or Temple Visit) the offering and donation (depending on the time, size and complexity of the design).

The cost of each Sak Yant includes the booking time, help choosing the design, translation services for the Sak Yant Master, guiding you through the Etiquette, explaining the meanings, medical after care and the Sak Yant Rules. Sak Yant Chiang Mai’s booking deposit includes an hour of In-house Service, but does not include the extra costs of a Temple Tour option.

Guide to Donation Pricing for Various Sak Yant Designs

95% of a persons first Sak Yant is one of three Master Yant designs. The Master Yants are considered the most powerful and have a Blessing attached to them that cover most circumstances and situations.

Most Popular Sak Yant Design Prices

The cost of the most popular Sak Yant Designs including the Magical Blessing are ….. Paed Tidt (8 Direction) 3000 baht, the Hah Taew (5 Line) 2500 baht, The Gao Yord (9 Peaks) 2500

Sak Yant Cost: Designs for 2000-2500 Baht - 1 Hour Booking

Prices for these Sak Yants are 2000 baht based on the size and design at our In-House Samnak with a Sak Yant Master Ajarn.

Prices for these Sak Yants are 4000 baht based on the size and design when visiting a Temple with a Monks Blessing

Both the In-House and 3 Hour Temple visit include both the Sak Yant Tattoo itself and the Magical Blessing

Sak Yant Price In-House

2000 Baht (total) Usual size (5cm x 10cm )

Sak Yant Price Temple Tour

4000 Baht (total) Usual size (5cm x 10cm )

Sak Yant Cost: Designs for 2500-3000 Baht - 1 Hour Booking

Prices for these Sak Yants are 2500-3000 baht based on the size and design at our In-House Samnak with a Sak Yant Master Ajarn.

Prices for these Sak Yants are 4500-5000 baht based on the size and design when visiting a Temple with a Monks Blessing

Both the In-House and 3 Hour Temple visit include both the Sak Yant Tattoo itself and the Magical Blessing

Sak Yant Price In-House

2500-3000 Baht (total) Usual size (5-10cm x 10cm )

Sak Yant Price Temple Tour

4500-5000 Baht (total) Usual size (5-10cm x 10cm )

Sak Yant Cost: Designs for 3000-4000 Baht - 1 Hour Booking

Prices for these Sak Yants are 3000-4000 baht based on the size and design at our In-House Samnak with a Sak Yant Master Ajarn.

Prices for these Sak Yants are 5000-6000 baht based on the size and design when visiting a Temple with a Monks Blessing

Both the In-House and 3 Hour Temple visit include both the Sak Yant Tattoo itself and the Magical Blessing

Sak Yant Price In-House

3000-4000 Baht (total) Usual size (15cm x 10cm )

Sak Yant Price Temple Tour

5000-6000 Baht (total) Usual size (15cm x 10cm )

Sak Yant Cost: Designs for 4000-6000 Baht - 2 Hour Booking

Please Note: For these size Sak Yant Tattoo’s – 2 separate In-House slots need to be booked to complete the design

Prices for these Sak Yants are 4000-6000 baht based on the size and design at our In-House Samnak with a Sak Yant Master Ajarn.

Prices for these Sak Yants are 6000-8000 baht based on the size and design when visiting a Temple with a Monks Blessing

Both the In-House and 3 Hour Temple visit include both the Sak Yant Tattoo itself and the Magical Blessing

Sak Yant Price In-House

4000-6000 Baht (total) Usual size (20cm x 10cm )

Sak Yant Price Temple Tour

6000-8000 Baht (total) Usual size (20cm x 10cm )

Full Back Sak Yant Tattoo Designs Cost for Combinations

Combination full back Sak Yants designs are becoming more popular as people wish to obtain all their Sak Yants in a single sitting while they are in Thailand

Please make sure that if you do want to have a multi combination design on your back or chest that you have done your research on the meanings and have a reason to obtain so many Sak Yants in a single sitting.

Our number one principal of at Sak Yant Chiang Mai is to protect the authenticity and reputation of the Sak Yant and the Sak Yant Masters. We will not put the Sak Yant Masters in a position where they might suspect that a guest does not know why they desire certain Sak Yant Designs.

N.B. Tattoo’s are painful. There are no refunds for those who are unable to endure the process to completion