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Chiang Mai, Thailand · 3 to 5 hours · Private experience · Moderate activity · Max 4 people per booking
A private Sak Yant experience in Chiang Mai with Ajarn Suthin, formerly known as Ajarn Dam, a respected northern ajarn whose 20+ years of practice, 8 years as an ordained monk, and gentle approach make this a deeply personal and traditional experience.
During your Chiang Mai Ink Experience, you’ll experience:
🙏🏻 Time with an ajarn shaped by years of monkhood and lineage
Meet Ajarn Suthin in his own sacred space, where his years in the Sangha, training under respected masters, and calm Buddhist perspective help shape the tone of the day.
🗣️ A fully translated consultation
With the support of a licensed guide, you can speak openly about your goals, fears, values, and current challenges so Ajarn Suthin can recommend a yant that feels personal to your life.
🪡 Fine northern-style Sak Yant with careful hygiene
Ajarn Suthin is known for light-handed, concise line work, using a traditional khem sak with single-use needle tips, fresh gloves, and new ink pots for each guest.
🚗 Private support throughout the day
Your experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the Chiang Mai pickup zone, private transport to the samnak, ritual offerings, translation, and a simple local meal with snacks.
Private bookings only. Go solo or come with your own private group for a more personal, well-supported experience from beginning to end.
Is the date you want not available? Consider booking with another ajarn for a Sak Yant in Chiang Mai, or another city such as Bangkok or Phuket.
Please note: Songkran Festival is a holiday in Thailand, and Sak Yant will not be available during this time (April 13-16). This is another opportunity to consider getting a Sak Yant on another date or in another city before or after your visit to Chiang Mai.
Please also note: Ajarn Suthin’s Wai Kru event is April 27-28. He will not be giving Sak Yant during this time. If you plan on visiting Chiang Rai as well, please consider booking the Chiang Rai Ink Experience there.
1. Select the total number of people in your group
Include everyone joining the experience, including any support guests or observers.
2. Select the total number of Sak Yant being booked
Choose how many tattoos will be received during your private booking, whether that is one person getting one or more Sak Yant, or multiple people receiving Sak Yant within the same group. (Unsure if the design you’re interested in is more than 1 Sak Yant? Contact us first!)
3. Choose your date and available time
The calendar above shows live availability. Once your booking is confirmed, that time is held privately for your group. Space is limited, and when other reservations are made, the space becomes unavailable to book.
4. Proceed to Book Now
Please make sure all booking fields are selected correctly for the Book Now button to appear. Proceed to your cart and checkout to apply payment and confirm your reservation.
After we confirm your reservation with Ajarn Suthin, you’ll receive a welcome email asking for a few extra details, such as your pickup location. If you do not see it, please check your junk mail folder and reply as soon as you can.
Your booking covers the included experience described. Bringing Thai baht is only recommended if you may want a larger or more detailed Sak Yant after your consultation, as any size upgrade is paid directly to Ajarn Suthin, and there are no ATMs nearby. Details for upgrades below.
For this Chiang Mai Ink Experience, we practice Sak Yant with master Ajarn Suthin, formerly known as Ajarn Dam. He has dedicated himself to this path since 2004, giving him more than two decades of focused experience in the craft.
Ajarn Suthin is a disciple of the esteemed Luang Pho Pen from Wat Bang Phra, while his primary mentor in Akom and Sak Yant was Ajarn Chatchai. That combination of temple lineage and direct magical instruction has shaped the method he follows today.
Before continuing his path outside the Sangha, he spent 8 years as an ordained monk. That time deepened both his discipline and his understanding of the responsibilities that come with giving Sak Yant to others.
Ajarn Suthin tattoos with a Khem Sak, an elongated metal rod fitted with an interchangeable needle tip. Each rod is carefully cleaned, disinfected with alcohol, and treated with both fire and heat, while needles are strictly single-use. The ink he uses is a special blend designed for tattooing and enhanced with herbs.
Outside of tattooing, he enjoys designing new Sak Yant symbols and creating protective amulets. For him, the real essence of Sak Yant lies in disciplined practice and the struggle involved in shaping letters and symbols that serve as connectors of energy, ultimately helping anchor the mind toward doing good.
Although he was relatively unknown to the outside world before our collaboration, Ajarn Suthin has since shared his expertise with many international guests seeking to learn about this ancient tradition. His work has also taken him abroad to countries such as China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, where he has continued sharing the art of Sak Yant.
Ajarn Suthin is known for his gentle, thoughtful demeanor. He listens carefully during consultations and often shares insights drawn from Buddhist teachings. His northern style is light-handed, with fine and concise line work, and he maintains very high hygiene standards by using new latex gloves, needle tips, and ink pots for every guest.
We are honored to work alongside such a wise and respected ajarn. In the event Ajarn Suthin becomes unavailable on the date you reserve due to last-minute Buddhist ceremonies or funerals he must attend, we will coordinate with you to either reschedule your appointment with him or move your reservation to another one of the skilled and trusted ajarns we work with for getting Sak Yant in Chiang Mai.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Pick-up Point | Your hotel or Airbnb in Chiang Mai city – your hotel info can be emailed to us after your online reservation – must be within 5 km (3 miles) of old-town Chiang Mai – for hotels outside of the pickup zone, a central meeting point can be arranged |
| Drop-off Point | Your Chiang Mai hotel |
| Duration | Between 3 to 5 hours, depending on the distance of your hotel, consultation length, tattoo size and complexity, and the number of people in your private group |
| Physical Level | Moderate (some pain is involved and varies depending on placement and your own tolerance) |
| Cultural Rating | High – deep cultural exchange |
| Ages | 18+ (must be 18 or older to receive a tattoo, though observers may be younger) |
| Group Size | Private – Max 4 Sak Yant / people per booking (larger groups may be possible on request) |
We created this experience to help honor one of Thailand’s most sacred ancestral practices, while also creating a respectful space for guests who are seeking perspective, meaning, or grounding during important chapters of their lives. Many people come to Sak Yant while moving through trauma, hardship, personal obstacles, or major transitions. We understand those troubled waters more than most, because WSE was born in similar ones, and we have become very experienced at helping guests feel supported as they step into something deeply personal.
For us, that means protecting the integrity of the process. Sak Yant should not be reduced to a tattoo shop appointment or a “co-op” setting that strips away the values, atmosphere, and traditions that make it special. It should be received in the ajarn’s own sacred space, where respect is shown to the master, his lineage, his decades of training, his knowledge, his wisdom, and the traditional setting in which this practice is meant to be given. That is how it has long been received by Thai people, and that is the spirit we believe should be preserved.
That respect also extends to the value of the ajarn’s work. We do not try to pressure ajarns into charging less simply because someone is a foreign guest, or push unnecessary volume through them. We honor the rates they set for their time, skill, experience, and self-worth. We also take great care in choosing who we work with. After vetting more than 70 ajarns around the country, we narrowed our partnerships down to those who meet the standards we care most about and that our guests care most about too: hygiene, quality, and traditions. Ajarn Suthin is one of the Chiang Mai ajarns who meets those standards.
What comes from all of that is an experience that is carefully facilitated, fully translated, and grounded in real respect. We do not promise spirituality, because that comes from within each guest. What we do offer is something sacred and ancestral, shared in the traditional and authentic way it is intended to be given, with the support, context, and care that help guests feel safe enough to be fully present for it.
Many visitors think getting a Sak Yant means turning up at a famous temple or co-op, waiting through crowds, and accepting a rushed process with little explanation. We built this experience around something much more personal and much more careful than that.
We do not take people into busy environments where consultations are limited, quality can feel rushed, translation is minimal, or hygiene standards may not match what guests expect. Instead, you visit a carefully vetted ajarn in a more intimate setting, with a licensed guide who helps you communicate clearly from start to finish.
The consultation is the heart of the day. Rather than choosing a tattoo only by appearance, you have the chance to talk through your goals, fears, values, and current challenges so Ajarn Suthin can suggest something more personal and more appropriate for you.
On the day of your Sak Yant ceremony, your guide will meet you at your hotel or at an agreed meeting point in central Chiang Mai. From there, you travel together toward the quieter rural area where Ajarn Suthin’s samnak is located.
During the journey, your guide helps introduce the process, explains more about how Sak Yant fits into Thai life today, and begins answering the questions many guests already have before they even arrive.
Once you reach the samnak, the setting itself begins to shape the day. This is not a tourist tattoo shop. It is a working traditional space, often with locals there as well, and the atmosphere helps you understand how seriously Ajarn Suthin takes his work and the old customs around it.
With your guide translating throughout, you will sit down with Ajarn Suthin for your consultation. This is where you talk about the parts of your life that matter most to you, including goals, fears, values, and challenges, so he can recommend a yant that fits you more personally. If you already have a design in mind, you may absolutely discuss it with him as well.
Once the consultation is complete and the design and placement are agreed upon, the Sak Yant begins. Traditional rituals are observed before and after, and the tattoo itself may take anywhere from a short session to much longer, depending on the size, complexity, and location chosen.
After your Sak Yant has been completed and blessed, your guide brings you for a simple local meal so you can recharge, reflect on the experience, and ask any remaining questions you still have about what you just went through.
When the meal is finished, we arrange transport back to your hotel so you can rest, process the day, and settle into your onward journey with your new Sak Yant.
We generally discourage guests from choosing a yantra before visiting an ajarn. The reason is simple: the definitions you find online are often vague, inaccurate, or based on someone else’s reasons for getting that design.
During your consultation, you can tell Ajarn Suthin about what is important to you in life, what you want to work on, and what challenges you are currently facing. Based on your intentions, he can suggest a yant that is more personal to you rather than just visually familiar.
You absolutely have the right to request a design for yourself, but traditionally, Thai people trust that the ajarn is choosing something that suits them based on what they share with him. The deeper and more honest the conversation, the more personal the outcome tends to feel.
The characters around a yant are not ordinary sentences. They are combinations of old and new scripts written in code, with each character representing a kata. Only trained ajarns can read them properly, and often only within their own lineage.
Our experience includes a Sak Yant up to the same size and detail level as the popular Haw Taew (5 lines) design. There are thousands of designs within that size and detail level. Your ajarn can always find a unique yantra design that embodies your intentions, within the included size and detail level.
Getting a larger or more detailed Sak Yant is more of a personal aesthetic choice (as there are designs for every need/value/goal in all sizes, so there are no limitations to the included size for meeting your potential enchantments. Here are some of the potential costs for increasing Sak Yant with your ajarn (these are some of the commonly requested designs, of course, with over 10,000 possibilities, we can’t list them all):
| Haw Taew | Chat Pet | Gao Yod s/m | Gao Yod l/xl | Paed Tidt s/m | Paed Tidt l/xl | Suea Koo s/m | Suea Koo l/xl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| inc. | inc. | 3000 THB extra | 4000 THB extra | 6000 THB extra | 8000 THB extra | 10,000 THB extra | 15,000 THB extra |
*inc. = example of included size and/or detail level. Any extra rates are the cost in addition to the base rate.
This chart is just for a rough reference. With so many variations of each design, it may not cover some specific designs, and is best used for a mental idea for preparation on how much baht to bring based on roughly the size and/or detail level you might wish to increase to. Challenging locations may come with a slight additional increase in cost, too, like ribs or arms, depending on the design, size, detail, and challenge level of the placement.
Requesting specific designs which are not from Ajarn Suthin’s personal collection also comes at additional costs, sometimes much more than this chart, though he likely has very similar designs which he can offer within the range suggested above.
Please be sure to bring enough cash with you to accommodate the size and detail you are considering, as there are no ATMs nearby, and any additional costs will need to be paid directly to your ajarn after your consultation with him, to determine the right design for you, but before he starts tattooing.
Please note: These larger Sak Yant shown are for example purposes only. Please do not select any of these based on appearance. They are just to give an idea of the non-included size and detail level of an Ink Experience, which comes at an additional cost, payable locally, based on the size, placement, and detail level chosen.
This experience is a strong fit for travelers who want more than just a tattoo appointment. It works especially well for people who value consultation, context, translation, and a more personal connection to the process.
It is also a good fit for travelers who want to work with a vetted ajarn in a traditional setting rather than taking a chance on a rushed walk-in environment with limited explanation or unclear hygiene practices.
If you are open-minded, curious, and willing to have an honest conversation about what matters to you before choosing your design, this is one of the most meaningful ways to experience Sak Yant in Chiang Mai.
A little practical preparation helps this day run more comfortably.
Your Sak Yant experience includes the essentials needed for the day to flow smoothly, respectfully, and with good support throughout.
A few things remain separate from your booking so you can stay flexible around the rest of your Chiang Mai plans.
If this feels like the right Chiang Mai Sak Yant experience for you, it is best to reserve your date as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
We suggest planning your Sak Yant after any water-based activities such as beach visits, rafting, or elephant bathing, and when possible, keeping the rest of your day flexible so you are not rushing to a flight, bus, or another activity immediately after.
Email us with any questions you may have regarding this experience at [email protected].
Yes. Ajarn Suthin works with both men and women. As with our current practice for Sak Yant experiences, no photos of women are allowed during the tattooing process itself, though photos before and after are fine.
Ajarn Suthin is a disciple of Luang Pho Pen from Wat Bang Phra, and his primary mentor in Akom and Sak Yant was Ajarn Chatchai. Those lineages are an important part of the path he follows today.
Ajarn Suthin uses a Khem Sak fitted with interchangeable needle tips. The rod is cleaned, disinfected with alcohol, and treated with fire and heat, while needle tips are strictly single-use. He also uses new latex gloves, fresh ink pots, and herb-enhanced ink for each guest.
Yes, you absolutely can request a design. That said, we generally encourage guests to first have the consultation and hear Ajarn Suthin’s suggestion, as many online definitions are either vague, inaccurate, or based on someone else’s reasons for getting that yant.
Yes. English is the language we guarantee for your guide, along with Thai or the relevant local dialect when speaking with the ajarn. We cannot guarantee knowledge of other languages.
Yes. Ajarn Suthin has shared his Sak Yant practice internationally in places such as China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
The average experience is about 3 to 5 hours, but exact timing depends on transport distance, traffic, weather, consultation length, pain threshold, tattoo size and complexity, and the number of people in your private booking. It is best to make this the main thing you are doing that day.
Ajarn Suthin uses a special tattoo ink blend enhanced with herbs. More broadly, ajarns tend to keep their exact recipes private, though we have also confirmed there is no lead in the inks.
To make things easier, we’ve added an interactive map below where you can search for accommodations across Chiang Mai. Input your travel dates and number of guests to explore options from trusted platforms like Agoda and Booking.com. We’ve pinned a spot close to Wat Chedi Luang, a central landmark in the heart of Chiang Mai’s historic Old City. This area is perfect for anyone wanting to connect with the ancient culture of the north while being within walking distance to the city’s temples, markets, food vendors, and more.
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For every TRiP that you go on with WSE Travel, we will donate 2% of the total sales price to an environmental or community-based project in the country you’re visiting. We want to ensure that every guest we help, in turn, helps support and preserve the destination we’re experiencing together as a direct result. We live by an ethos to Travel Responsibly & Impact Positively (TRiP).
For more information on the projects supported by this experience, please visit our Thailand TRIP projects.
All tours, services, and experiences booked through WSE Travel are bound to our Terms and Conditions, which were modeled after most other travel services such as flights, hotels, and other tour operators.
At Where Sidewalks End, your reservation is more than a transaction — it’s a direct contract with local professionals who rely on this work as a primary source of income. As such, we are obligated to honor the livelihoods of our local partners — including guides, Ajarns (masters), and drivers — who dedicate their time exclusively to your experience.
In many of the destinations where we operate, labor protections and fair wage commitments are upheld by local laws — and we are both ethically and contractually required to adhere to them. Once a booking is confirmed, the service providers committed to your experience are financially compensated for reserving their time — even in the event of cancellation. This ensures fair and dignified treatment for all involved in delivering your experience.
All bookings are subject to the following terms:
Your payment will be placed into a Lifetime Deposit (Safety Deposit Box). This can be:
Refunds are not available unless WSE Travel cancels your booking due to reasons beyond your control.
A 50% rebooking fee will apply. This helps offset the compensation obligations to your dedicated team of local guides and service providers, who have reserved their day exclusively for your private tour and may not be able to secure alternate work with us or others on short notice.
The full cost of the tour is retained to pay the locals contracted in full. As this is a private experience, your local team’s time is fully dedicated to your session. A new team will be hired for any future rebooking.
These policies are a compassionate extension of our official Terms & Conditions, designed to support both our guests and the ethical standards of responsible tourism.
Because life can be unpredictable — and because we are required to uphold our commitments to local partners — all guests must either:
We highly recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — trusted by global travelers for its flexible, affordable coverage and very competitive rates.
Travel insurance can help protect you from financial losses related to:
If you choose to travel without Travel Insurance, you will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver Form at the beginning of your trip.
We deeply appreciate your understanding and support of ethical tourism. Your booking directly sustains local communities and helps preserve cultural traditions in a meaningful and lasting way.
If you have any questions or need help rescheduling, please contact us — we’re always happy to assist.
Candy T (verified owner) –
The experience was incredible both are guide Jim and our master Suthin were fantastic. Jim explains so much to us so we understand Thailand much better and did a great job of translating to the Ajarn Suthin.
Both were absolutely amazing!
Love, love, love!