Sak Yant Bangkok
by BKK INK

Because of the lines and the hygiene. Many of our Sak Yant clients, Thai people included, come to us for clean, precise line work and strict hygiene, two things that are not always the priority when a yantra is tattooed in a temple, where the meaning comes first. We respect that tradition; what we add is the precision of artists who tattoo every day.

Mor, Mo and Hack have each tattooed Sak Yant by machine for more than ten years. Mor's main style is old school, and the same clean, precise lines carry into his yantra. Mo works mostly in fine line, with the same care for thin, even script. Hack is our geometric and ornamental specialist, and his line control is exactly what a symmetrical yantra demands. For the traditional hand-poke, our bamboo specialist works with a single-use bamboo rod and sterile needles. We do not claim a spiritual lineage: what we offer is the craft.

It starts with a free consultation, with no obligation to book. You tell us which yantra speaks to you, protection, luck, attraction or invincibility, and your artist explains its meaning and where tradition places it: Hah Taew on the upper back or shoulder blade, Gao Yord at the nape or the top of the back, Paed Tidt centred on the back.

You then choose the method: by machine, or by hand with a single-use bamboo rod and sterile needles. Needles are single-use, ink is poured into disposable caps that are thrown away after each client, and the bamboo itself is never reused. Our artists who tattoo at European conventions also hold the hygiene and sanitation certifications required there.

Most Sak Yant are done in a single session: a Hah Taew or a Gao Yord takes 30 to 45 minutes. A large composition, a Paed Tidt or a full back yantra, takes one or two sessions, with at least two weeks between sittings for clean healing.

Our Sak Yant is art inspired by a sacred tradition: we do not perform the religious blessing (kha tha) and we do not claim any spiritual activation. If you want the blessing, you can receive it afterwards from a monk at a temple, on your own; we do not arrange it.

If you want to read about the roots of the tradition before you book, the Wikipedia article on Sak Yant is a good place to start.

Sak Yant starts at 1,000 THB, the price of a mini piece that takes a minute or two. A classic five-line Hah Taew is 2,500 THB. Beyond that, time is billed in 10-minute steps of 500 THB, which is 3,000 THB per hour, always under a maximum agreed before we start.

For a large yantra, the cap is set at your free consultation, and a deposit, from 1,000 THB for small pieces up to 3,000 THB per planned day for large projects, secures your date. See the full pricing guide.

Most Sak Yant are done in a single session: a Hah Taew (five lines) or a Gao Yord (nine peaks) takes 30 to 45 minutes. Larger compositions, such as a Paed Tidt (eight directions) or a full back yantra, take one or two sessions, with at least two weeks between them.

Yes, by machine or by bamboo. Small and medium tattoos can be done the same day, Sak Yant included: during the day the wait is usually up to an hour, and after 8 pm there is none. For a large yantra, book ahead: we take bookings up to a year in advance and reply to messages within 24 hours. We speak English, French and Thai in the studio.

A Sak Yant is a sacred yantra: a geometric composition of Khom script, Buddhist prayers and symbolic imagery meant to bring protection, luck, love or power. Traditionally it was tattooed by an Ajarn or a monk with a bamboo or metal rod and blessed. Here you choose the method, machine or single-use bamboo, and we focus on what we do best: clean, precise lines and strict hygiene.

We do not perform the blessing (kha tha) ourselves, and we do not arrange it. You can receive it afterwards from a monk at a temple, on your own. Your tattoo is the same either way; the blessing is a personal, spiritual step.

Sleep well the night before, eat a full meal within two hours of your appointment, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol for 24 hours. For a back or nape placement, wear a button-up shirt or loose clothing. Once it's done, follow our aftercare guide.