Want to Get a Sak Yant?
Sak Yant Chiang Mai is Thailand’s leading Sak Yant provider – Over 10 Independent Sak Yant Masters working in Hygienic and comfortable Samnaks
How much does a Sak Yant Cost?
What are you likely to pay for a Sak Yant Tattoo
At Sak Yant Chiang Mai, we offer a customized service so the total price of your Sak Yant depends on the amount of time and complexity of the Yantra. Our price of a Sak Yant Tattoo starts at 2000 baht for both Monk Tattoos and Ajarn Sak Yant Masters. We are able to offer this wonderfully unique service of getting a 100% Real Sak Yant Tattoo for less than the price of obtaining a Sak Yant Design from a regular Tattoo artist.
Sak Yant Chiang Mai
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 you will find different pricing structure for a Sak Yant around Thailand you can read How much does a Sak Yant Tattoo Cost?
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 for what we charge 2000 baht for, in Bangkok/Phuket the price starts at 10,000 Baht. Obviously the Co-operative of Sak Yant Masters means that commissions are not required making our service much cheaper.
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.
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.
When using a service like Sak Yant Chiang Mai, we include the Offering as part of our booking deposit. The Booking deposit 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. The Five Line comes within the 2000 baht price range, the others being larger and more complex cost a little more.
Sak Yant Cost: Designs for 2000 Baht
Sak Yant Price In-House
2000 Baht (total) Usual size (5cm x 10cm )
Sak Yant Price Temple Tour
3500 Baht (total) Usual size (5cm x 10cm )
Sak Yant Cost: Designs for 2500-3500 Baht
Sak Yant Price In-House
2500-3500 Baht (total) Usual size (15cm x 10cm )
Sak Yant Price Temple Tour
4000-5500 Baht (total) Usual size (15cm x 10cm )
Sak Yant Cost: Designs for 4000-6000 Baht
Please Note: For these size Sak Yant Tattoo’s – 2 separate In-House slots need to be booked to complete the design
Sak Yant Price In-House
4000-6000 Baht (total) Usual size (20cm x 10cm )
Sak Yant Price Temple Tour
6500-8500 Baht (total) Usual size (20cm x 10cm )
