The link for the video clips is: ThailandQA.com >>
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Wow what a trip. A great example of the true “amazing Thailand” as opposed to the pedestrian “Amazing Thailand” promoted by the TAT. Loved the video which really gave off the energy of the ceremony.
Tattoo art has been a rage in the west for years now, mainly as a fashion statement – but its amazing how effete tattoos of this nature appear once stacked up against its meaning in Thailand and for that matter other cultures.
I also take your point about keeping ceremonies like this under the guidebooks radar. Some of my best experiences in Thailand have been attending (what appears to me as a Farang ) quirky ceremonies either by accident or after the benefit of local knowledge.
Bill
Great post and amazing video. Some of my most enjoyable experiences when living in Thailsnd were also under the radar events. The attraction of Thailand to me was often found in the experiences that semed so completely unwestern. It is hard to think of a similar western event … maybe speaking in tounges at a spiritual rally? It is funny though how many see such creedence and authenticity in such an event in an Asian culture but would scoff at a similar event in their home countries.
Great story Richard!
I had known about this temple before and the goings-on but this was the first time i had the opportunity to read a serious account and get a decent insight!
A lot of Thais and foreigners take the authenticity seriously but wouldnt go as far as saying the latter would be more likely to scoff at such a ‘kind of spiritual event’ back home.
You can now download a second video clip on the same page linked to before.
Those videos are quite shocking. In the second video, the expression on their faces were so serious. I would have been scared for sure. It looked like they really believed that the animal was possessing them. You said that people go there to have tattoos done. is it possible for foreigners to go?
truely amazing thailand.
i’m a thai and i didnt even know this existed!
Hi Richard,
Just to check with you regarding ‘ Ramayana ‘. How true is it that it is Thai epic? As far as what I know it is Indian epic from ancient hindusim.
Sorry, I should have said the Thai version of Ramayana which is called Ramakian.
@Sandy – Foreigners can get tattoos done at this tenple.
This would be a good temple to go to for a tattoo.
After reading your post, it is very impressive and thoroughly detailed….
I am visiting Thailand next year and would like to get a tattoo from a tattoo master, where he chants or bless the inked tattoo afterwards.
Your response is very much appreciated. Thank’s
Thank you so much! I really appreciated your response….
Is it easy to find an enterpreter once I get there to Thailand?
hi Richard, im from singapore and i love to read your blog. Nevertheless, Wat Bang Phra should be made famous by Luang Phor Pern, and not Luang Phor Poon. if im not wrong, Luang Phor Poon is the famous monk of Wat Pailoom of Nakhon Pathom. i myself have a few sakyant of my own but i have never gone into trance. May i also request for a article on Thai magic tattoo (sakyant), the orgin and history in your blog? cause im not able to find much info online. thanks a lot
that’s interesting about the thai magic tattoo….
Sebai Di mai…
For Sak Yant info, visit this website http://www.sensiseeds-online.com/
Hi Richard,
Just to add, I have been to Wat Bang Phra many times over the last 15 years and had known Luang Phor Pern personally when he was still alive. I have been there with friends who had done a sakyant by Luang Phor Pern’s eldest disciple, Ajahn Nok. I have heard about the Wan Wai Khru but have neve seen a real live one. Great work.
Cheers,
Hoon2
hey everybody,
someone of you knowz when start the wat bang praw festival in march 07 ???
i have to buy my flight ticket before this event….
thanks for the article. and hope one of you can tell me….
cheers.
holle !!!!
my name is jeena from thailand
but im work stay korea south
i love thai tattoo my father make
tattoo 20 years im from nakhonsawan
i want make tattoo much
i live thailand
have a nice day
bye bye
Hi there Richard,
Great story on the festival. I have been to Wat Bang Phra on a couple of occassions and have been tattooed by the monk. I have been trying to get to the teachers festival for a few years but never quite made it. This year I will be in S/E Asia through March and am very keen to get there this time. Any help with exact dates would be much appreciated, as my thai friends haven’t been able to tell me anything yet???
Cheers, Dave.
hey – great story, do you know the date of the 2007 fest? I love the tattoos and really want to attend
Thanks
You already missed it. The dates were posted over at our ThailandQA.com forums.
hi richard
just asking there is a common
tattoo of a temple that alot of men in thailand have i realy liked it in was
on the back of the neck wondering if u
knew what it was or had a picture
thank you bec
how can i watch the tattoo vidoes?
next time
hello, I wanted to go to Thailand next year in March for my birthday to receive a Sak Yant tattoo and more specifically a Yant Ongk Pra symbol as well, but I do not know anyone in Thailand and its hard to know where to go, what to do and what temple I should go to, I live in the U.S and I prefer to not go to a regular tattoo parlor and would rather have my tattoo be blessed and done by a monk. Is there any way you can help me? thank you.
I suggest you post your question on the ThailandQA Forums linked to this blog. Many people post there about tattoos.
If you do not want everybody to know, why did you post it on the net? Such a comment exposes one as a self centered exclusionist prick.
I see a lot of Men in the photos can women also get Tattoo’s done as well???
I’ve never had a Tattoo but I’d like to have one done by a Master at Wat Bang Phra Next year.
Please help me out thank you this Blog is very informative and Tattoos I see are Masterful in Creation.
Yes, tattoos for women are done at the Wat Bang Phra. Note: The monks are supposed to wear gloves when dealing with women.
Thank you Catherine
These actually are originally called Chak Sak or Chak yant (Khmer tattoos). They are not thais’
This year the festival is on 19th March 2011.