Many travellers arrive in Thailand seeking more than sunshine and scenery. They come in search of meaning, hoping to connect with something profound and enduring. In the tranquil, riverside setting of The Siam, one of Bangkok’s most distinctive retreats by the water, that search often leads to a hidden studio where an ancient practice is kept alive: the art of Sak Yant tattooing.
The body is a canvas, and the patterns we choose to adorn it with can tell the most remarkable stories. Ajarn Boo — with Ajarn meaning “master” or “teacher” in Thai — is the hotel’s resident tattoo artist and a true master of his craft, creating exceptional, deeply personal designs that become part of each guest’s own story.
Sak Yant has been part of Thai culture for centuries. Originally believed to shield its bearer from harm, the intricate tattoos were considered talismans, offering invulnerability to weapons and protection from danger. Beyond their striking geometry and symbolism, they carry layers of cultural heritage and spiritual weight. “Each tattoo is a permanent anchor,” reflects Ajarn Boo, the resident master at The Siam. “Our art becomes part of a person’s life.”
With that permanence comes an immense responsibility. Having refined his craft since 2008, Ajarn Boo approaches each work with deep care. The right-sized needles, high-quality inks, and a precise yet gentle hand ensure that the lines remain elegant and age gracefully over time. For Ajarn Boo, the process is as much about respect as technique—an understanding that every design will be carried forever, its meaning forming part of someone’s journey.
Education is also central to Ajarn Boo’s practice, since Sak Yant is a sacred ritual with traditions and rules to follow. Guests are guided through these customs with care, from the foods they should avoid—such as starfruit and bottle gourd—to the gestures of respect owed to parents and teachers. Even everyday actions, like crossing under a clothesline, are reframed as observances linked to the tattoo’s spiritual integrity. For those who wish, Ajarn Boo often accompanies them to Wat Bang Phra, a temple renowned for Sak Yant, where visitors can pay homage to these spirits and deepen their understanding of the practice.
Among the most requested designs are the Gao Yord, or Nine Spires, a symbol of protection; the Paed Tidt, representing the eight directions; the Phutthaisawan, or Layered Buddhas; and the ever-powerful Tiger Yant. Each carries its own blessing—warding off misfortune, attracting prosperity, enhancing charisma, or shielding the bearer from harm. While these motifs remain timeless, he occasionally adapts elements to suit modern sensibilities, ensuring the work resonates with today’s guests while remaining true to its roots.
Though the ritual of Sak Yant is unchanged, the setting at The Siam adds a rare dimension. The riverside sanctuary, with its superlative design and sense of quiet luxury, amplifies a much richer cultural experience. The studio itself is adorned with sacred objects, inviting guests to pause and pay respect before the tattoo begins. “The calm of this place allows people to feel safe, spiritually connected,” he says. “It creates the right atmosphere for something that will stay with them forever.”
Within this sanctuary, the experience transcends the physical act of tattooing. Sak Yant is believed to guard against misfortune, to invite charm, kindness, and prosperity. By sharing these rituals, Ajarn Boo ensures every guest—whether staying at The Siam or visiting from elsewhere—feels part of a living tradition. Here, ink becomes a blessing; a mark of both beauty and belief.
When asked what Ajarn Boo hopes guests take away from their time in the studio, the answer is simple: a sense of fulfillment. “I want them to leave not only moved by their design, but also by the serenity of the whole experience. I hope their tattoo becomes a source of good fortune, and a memory of Thai culture and spirituality they always carry.”
The power of Sak Yant is perhaps best revealed through its stories. One family from Germany stands out in Ajarn Boo’s memory: parents and child each received a tattoo, and later shared how their personal and professional lives flourished in the months that followed. The ritual resonated so deeply that they now return every year to renew their blessings. It is through these guest experiences that the meaning of Sak Yant becomes clear. Rather than a simple decoration or souvenir, it is a lifelong companion—an indelible connection between body, spirit and place.
Discover the sacred artistry of Sak Yant at The Siam.
