MAKERS | ASIA | THAILAND | TATTOO
Arjan Boo | Master of Sak Yant
A former monk, Arjan Boo, keeps alive a centuries-old form of spiritual tattooing. In Thailand, the sacred tattoo—sak yant—is a living form of spiritual protection. Each design carries a blessing drawn from Buddhist and animist traditions: strength, fortune, charm, or safety in travel.
The process of the sacred Thai tattoo, sak yant, blends technique and ritual. The metal needle, once forged from iron rods, is now stainless steel. The ink combines modern pigment with a drop from a master’s old blend, often infused with wan 108, a mixture of 108 herbs. The tattooist chants invocations known as katha while working; these mantras are said to awaken the power of the design. When the tattoo is complete, it is blessed to bring the image to life.
Arjan Boo began as a monk at Wat Bang Phra, a temple west of Bangkok long known for its lineage of tattoo masters. He studied under Phra Maha Somchai, a disciple of the revered Luang Phor Pern, and later under Ajarn Somchat Nakchan, another teacher from the same line.
After two and a half years in the monkhood, Boo continued his practice as a lay master, opening his own studio before joining The Siam Hotel as its resident sak yant artist. For nearly a decade, he has worked from a quiet room within The Siam, surrounded by images of Luang Phor Pern and his teachers.
How did you learn?
When I ordained at Wat Bang Phra, I was surrounded by monks who tattooed every day. I watched them work and began to study. My first teacher was Phra Maha Somchai, who trained under Luang Phor Pern. Later, I continued with Ajarn Somchat, who had received the ceremonial needle from the same lineage.
How do you plan, prepare and create your works?
I prepare the ink, press the design on the skin, and begin to chant the katha. Each image has its own words, which connect the design to its meaning. When the work is finished, I give a blessing to activate the yantra.
The mantra gives life to the image. Each figure has its own verse—for example, the tiger has its own katha, and by chanting it we call its energy to protect the wearer.
How has the craft of sak yant changed since the old days?
The spirit is the same. The tools are lighter and more precise now, but the method follows the same pattern handed down by our teachers. We still mix a few drops of the old ink into every new batch to keep the connection alive.
Before, it was mostly Thai people—police, soldiers, monks. Now it’s everyone, Thai and foreign, who are curious or want to connect with Thai culture.
Many people study it now, including foreigners. The challenge is that not all learn correctly. To give a real sak yant, you must understand the prayers and receive transmission from a teacher. Without that, it’s only decoration.
Interview and Images by Harrison Thane
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