Thailand— Tattoo scenes & cities

In Thailand, sak yant is a sacred tattoo of figures and formulas whose origin is traced to the Khmer Empire, around the 9th century. It is traditionally applied by monks, but also by ajarn, former monks. Its rules are strict: its power holds only if the wearer respects certain taboos, such as abstaining from certain foods.

Every year in March, Wat Bang Phra temple, about fifty kilometres west of Bangkok, hosts the Wai Khru festival: devotees honour their master and have their tattoos re-empowered, since their strength fades with time. Thousands of devotees, some in trance, pay homage to Luang Phor Pern, the former abbot who died in 2002.