Sak yant with Ajarn Thoy

This afternoon I decided that I would visit Ajarn Thoy at Wat Thong Wai to receive a sak yant. I'm working to complete my back but it will take me a few years yet, at 1-2 sak yant per year. As I near the more tender areas of the back, I feel less inclined to get more than one per sitting!

Ajarn Thoy is located at Wat Thong Wai, On Nut 25, near the On Nut BTS station. He has a small samansk at the back of the wat. I arrived around 1:30pm and waited with three other people - one Thai woman who had studied in France and was with two French friends - one from Montreal and one from France. Actually, it was good luck that she was there as she acted as a translator during my interaction with Ajarn Thoy.

I had chosen 4 possible sak yant to receive, but figured I would let him decide for me which he wanted to do. As the other three people were newbies and had not decided on what to get, I was chosen to go first. Ajarn Thoy chose Nai Khanom Tom for me. Nai Khanom Tom is a Muay Thai/Muay Boran hero who defeated many Burmese opponents in 1767 after performing a tradiation wai kruu and mesmerizing the Burmese army. March 17th is celebrated as "Boxer's Day" as a tribute to Nai Khanom Tom's achievements. A sak yant of Nai Khanom Tom is not common. In fact, it is considered too strong in most cases to tattoo on someone. Ajarn Thoy is one of the few who will, and I suspect only on nak muays (muay thai fighters). Although I'm sure the only people who know about him are those associated with Muay Thai in the first place!

Given that I have a few sak yant on my upper back, I had Ajarn Thoy put the sak yant below my Hanuman, on my lower back. He placed it centred on my spine, and did the entire thing freehand. Totally impressive!! No stencil involved here. And yes, it was painful. The lower back, along the spine, is not a good place to get a tattoo!! I was dripping with sweat, red-faced, and in considerable discomfort by the time he was done! Why do I continue to do this? But it is worth it - the sak yant is beautiful, intricate. I am very happy and honored to have it. He told me that when I train, I must meditate on my sak yant, focus, and it will make me strong.

Turns out Ajarn Thoy was a Thai boxer himself when he was younger (14) and even fought at Lumpinee! Here's a pic of him in his nak muay phase, and his Por Gae Ruesi phase.

It is throbbing a bit right now, but that's normal. Having been stabbed repeatedly for 1/2 an hour will do that to you!! But it's beautiful.