How to Avoid getting Fake Sak Yants (Bamboo Tattoos)

April 21, 2025

How to Avoid getting Fake Sak Yants

Tattoo Shops in Thailand and regular Tattoo Artists can’t do real Sak Yant Experiences but often advertise and promote the impression they can. Sak Yant’s hold deep Spiritual significance and are a centuries old Thai tattooing tradition that is frequently hailed as an emblem of protection, guidance, and ancient wisdom.

As the popularity of Sak Yant Tattoos soars worldwide, many commercial tattoo shops have attempted to replicate Sak Yants with what they call “Bamboo Tattoos” for the tourist market. Unfortunately, these modern incarnations lack the sacred rituals and deep-rooted traditions that make Sak Yant so revered.

While not all Tattoo Shops engage in the disrespectful replication of Sak Yant Tattoos – many of them do. Tattoo shops targeting tourists often rely a series of deceptive methods to lure clients into purchasing what is, in reality, a diluted, superficial imitation. Often for double and triple the price of a genuine and authentic Sak Yant Experience. It is disrespectful to get a Sak Yant tattoo from a tattoo artist without the authority of the sacred rituals and Blessings.

It is easy enough for Spiritual seeking tourists to engage in a meaningful ritual led by a revered monk or traditional Sak Yant Master. Thailand Tattoo shops offer a hastily done design that carries none of the spiritual blessings inherent in genuine Sak Yant practice.

In this post, we dive deep into why real Sak Yant cannot be done in a typical tattoo parlor, expose the common methods that are used to deceive tourists, so that you can avoid them.

Tattoo Artists Sak Yant are not Real or Authentic

The stark truth is that there is no such thing as a Bamboo Needle or Bamboo Tattoo in Thailand’s tattooing history or Culture. The History of Bamboo Tattoos in Thailand is a modern tourist driven attraction based on a false narrative that came about from incorrect terms used by international media reporting celebrity Sak Yants. Bamboo tattooing became the term used and promoted to capitalize on tourist naivety with regards to Thailand’s Traditional Sak Yant Tattoo Culture.

The Strategies Commercial Tattoo Shops use to Trick Tourists

Many modern tattoo parlors in tourist hotspots are masters of unprepared tourist walk in marketing. When promoting Fake Sak Yants they borrow cultural symbols and gloss them over with promises of authenticity, with terms like ‘Bamboo Tattoo’ or ‘Traditional Hand Poked Style’, and Sak Yant Designs and Meanings on their websites. However, if you scratch beneath the surface, even just a little, you’ll quickly notice that these establishments are not equipped, or even interested in providing the genuine Sak Yant experience.

So what are some of the methods that Tattoo Parlors use to ‘suggest’ they can do real Sak Yant Tattoos?

Sponsored Adverts in Google and Website pages with articles about Sak Yant History/Designs/Meanings
Using the term "Bamboo Tattoo" on shop windows and providing Sak Yant designs in catelogs
Articles and Statements down playing or outright misleading information
Making Statements of how they consider it ethical for 'them' to provide Sacred Sak Yants
Misleading or outright lying about their qualifications to make real Sak Yant tattoos
Social media and Website Photos labelled as 'Sak Yant' - when in reality they are counterfiet designs

Not all Tattoo Parlors in Thailand will try to deceive Tourist with Counterfeit Fake Sak Yants. Some will outright refuse to provide the Sak Yant designs, but will happily provide non sacred designs with the hand poke method. Some will tell you they do not make real Sak Yant's but their copies can look more professional. Others will engage in the following deceptions......

1) Advertising Sak Yant's and Webpages of 'Sak Yant' keywords

Competition for tattooing Tourists in Thailand is fierce. There are more Tattoo parlors in Thailand than there are 7/11 or Massage shops. As a natural business practice these shops have to stand out and get recognized. This is often done with paid Google adverts, and creating website pages that talk about Sak Yant Tattoos to get eyes when Tourists search for terms.

Often these websites will begin with the usual misleading statement ‘Sak Yant Tattoos, also known as ‘Bamboo Tattoos’ or ‘Traditional Thai Tattoos’. There will be articles about the ‘History of Sak Yants’ which contain all the myths and misdirection that contradict this website (along with real providers of Sak Yants) messaging.

Almost all of the time the content on these websites has been made by the Westerner owner of the business. Thai owned Tattoo business websites will often be more honest, advising you that they do not make real Sak Yants, they make ‘Artistic replica’s’ for those people more concerned about the look of the tattoo over it’s authentic spirituality.

2) Using "Bamboo Tattoo" on shop windows and providing Sak Yant designs in catalogs

To be fair, almost all tattoo shops in Thailand engage in using the ‘hand poke’ method as an option for the different types of methods a tourist can get a tattoo. This hand poke system has after all, become the well known specialty of Thailand Tattoo Artists. And it is a legitimate method of tattooing (non sacred Sak Yant designs) that has been developed and become well known in Thailand over the last 20 years.

The gimmick is, since there is no such thing as a bamboo needle, and almost every artist will use a steel rod or machine … The term ‘Bamboo Tattoo’ is predominately used to imply a incorrect connection to the well known Sak Yant Tradition. Although there is no such connection in reality. Why advertise a ‘Bamboo Tattoo’ when you don’t use bamboo to make your tattoos?

Along side of this Tattoo Artist Sak Yant ‘Bamboo Tattoo’ signage, one common tactic is to display images of what appear to be authentic Sak Yant tattoos on the walls or outside of the parlor in catalogs.

These images often look stunning, and steeped in an ancient vibe. However, these designs frequently contain the fake script used when real Sak Yant Masters provide their own design catalogs; that have been stripped of their real and magical context.

This visual trickery sets up false expectations, making the art appear as if it can be easily reproduced in a modern studio setting. Worse when the artist has no training in the magical text (which real Sak Yant Masters will tattoo correctly and freehand); they are tattooing meaningless scribbles onto the body of tourist.

The tourist getting a counterfeit Sak Yant design from a Tattoo shop will be marked for life with nonsense, displaying their gullibility and embarrassment to the world

3) Tattoo Shop Websites with Misleading Sak Yant Information

Right along side of tactic number 2, of tattoo shops making websites targeting people searching for Sak Yant Tattoos, Tattoo Shop websites full their articles with misleading information. Almost all of them are along the same lines, which either shows a complete lack of knowledge of the Sak Yant Traditions or a deliberate intent to create and spread mis-information for their commercial benefit

Here are some of the typical twaddle you might see on almost every Tattoo Parlor website. This is often copied and pasted by bloggers who will write about their experience as well.

Misinformation about Sak Yant Tattoo's on Tattoo Shop Websites

4) Bamboo Tattoo Artist Weird Justifications for Making Sak Yant Tattoo

Lately, a growing number of tattoo artists have taken to social media to justify why they see no moral or ethical issue with creating imitation or fake counterfeit Sak Yant tattoos for tourists. It is important to note that in this particular situation it is Thai Tattoo Artists and not foreign owned tattoo shops that are doing this. There is a chance that these sorts of justifications come from the conflict of needing to respect Thai Sak Yant Traditions with the balance of needing to make an income in a competitive business environment.

“I get the needles and ink blessed by monks, so that makes the tattoo magical.”
(It doesn’t. A blessing on tools or ink doesn’t transfer sacred power to the tattoo itself.)
“I used to be a Monk | I was trained by a Monk”
(Before I was a Conman I was not a Conman. Almost every Thai man will spend time as a monk, usually just a few days to a few weeks to honor their parents. Once a person is no longer a Monk they are free to live the life and choose the ethics for themselves. Real Sak Yant Masters maintain a life of spiritual pursuit in order to be pure and powerful enough to provide Blessings.)
“The customer’s intention to live a good life and their belief in the tattoo gives it spiritual power.”
(This is partially true belief and intention do matter in many spiritual traditions, but when it comes to Sak Yant, the core idea is that its power comes from a holy man performing the ritual, not just personal belief.)
“As a tattooist, I’m honoring the tradition by making replicas of something I respect.”
(This sounds more like self-justification than logic. Respecting a tradition usually means not imitating sacred symbols outside their intended context.))
“My replica Sak Yant designs look better, with cleaner lines, and I don’t scam people by taking them to monks at temples.”
(Yes, this was really claimed by a popular Bangkok tattoo shop. Apparently, real Sak Yant done by monks is now considered a “scam” because it involves spirituality and tradition, before art.)

How to Avoid the Scams and Find Real Sak Yant

If you are serious about experiencing Sak Yant in a way that honors its cultural and spiritual heritage, consider these guidelines to protect both your investment and the integrity of the tradition:

Do Your Research: Before booking any appointment, invest yourself in reading about the history, symbolism, and actual process of Sak Yant. Look for reputable providers who provide information and discuss authentic practices. Knowledge is your best defense against fraud.
Search for ‘Sak Yant’, Sak Yant Master’ or Ajarn: When looking for an authentic Sak Yant provider, do not use the term Bamboo Tattoo with your search. Very rarely (and only for search results) will a real Sak Yant provider use this term since it is not part of their traditions or service.
Seek Local Recommendations: When in Thailand, ask locals or trusted guides about traditional practitioners. Often, authentic Sak Yant sessions are conducted in small temples or specialized Samnuks (holy rooms) far from the typical tourist hustle. Do do however need to be careful, sometimes locals will take you to the tattoo shop that pays them the largest commission and outright lie that they are real.
Verify Credentials: Insist on knowing who will be performing your Sak Yant. Ask if they copy a stencil or change the magical text to suit your intentions for having the Tattoo and the traditional space where the tattoo is administered. You can always ask the artist if they copy a stencil or can change the text to make your desires
Avoid Places with Reviews that focus on “English Speaking Staff and Clean Shop”: The real Sak Yant Experience is a spiritual adventure. Tattoo Shop reviews will focus on how clean the shop is (although every Sak Yant Master also follows the same tattoo hygiene standards) and how well the staff spoke English. Reviewers of Real Sak Yant Experience, will talk about the sacredness of the experience, often making a point of saying “One of the best things I did in Thailand”
Check the Venue: Genuine Sak Yant sessions are held in environments designed for sacred ceremonies, not in modern, generic tattoo studios. Look for signs that the space is prepared with traditional altar setups, incense, and a respectful ambiance. If it feels more like a commercial tattoo parlor than a sacred space, it likely isn’t authentic
Check the Look/Style of the Tattooist: Genuine Sak Yant Masters do not do other types of tattoo designs, they dedicate their lives to the Thai Tattoo traditions of living a Spiritual Life. They will not look like a typical tattoo artist! Sak Yant Masters will usually be covered in the Sak Yant designs, and display images of themselves in sacred environments. Tattoo Artists tend to look the same the world over. It is very easy to spot the difference.
Check the Photos: Genuine Sak Yant providers will provide a spiritual experience. This will include images of the Rituals (offerings, the blessings), as well as the finial tattoo. If the venue’s social media lack any photos of anything spiritual and just present what the tattoo looks like once finished – there is a good chance they do not provide real Sak Yants.
Use Well known and Popular providers: Some Sak Yant Masters and Sak Yant Providers have become very well known. There are genuine reasons for success and reputation, and usually these reasons include great customer service, legitimacy and credibility.
Learn how to identify suspicious claims: Take a look at some of the redflags we have provided of what appear to be Tattoo Artists pretending to be Sak Yant Masters in the article Fake Sak Yant Tattoo by Tattoo Artists

Academic and Historical References

(1). Thai Tattoos, the symbolic lines of faith National Geographic. Nov 4 2020. https://ngthai.com/cultures/31619/thai-traditional-tattoos

(2) Why you don’t Get a Bamboo Tattoo at a Tattoo Shop sakyantchiangmai.com Oct 2022 https://sakyantchiangmai.com/sak-yant-bamboo-tattoo/

(3) Study of Thai and Japanese Tattoo. 1996 Nantchaya Mahakhan Burapha University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences https://buuir.buu.ac.th/xmlui/handle/1234567890/549

(4) Communication and Perception of the Meaning of ‘Tattoos’ in Contemporary Thai Society’, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, by Suksan Kamolsantiroj, 2005 https://cuir.car.chula.ac.th/handle/123456789/8025

(5) What is a Bamboo Tattoo. Sak Yant Chiang Mai 2023 https://sakyantchiangmai.com/bamboo-tattoo-thailand/

(6) Tattoo Culture in Lana Sept 6 2022. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. Phudech Saensa https://www.sac.or.th/portal/th/article/detail/371

(7). Sak Yant tattooing as Thai soft power. Department of Public Administration Faculty of Political Science Ramkhamhaeng University. Krissada Promvek. And Prachaya Chumnaseaw 2024. http://www.hurujournal.ru.ac.th/journals/35_1719810573.pdf

(8) Bamboo Tattoo Bangkok. Sak Yant Bangkok 2024. https://sakyant-bangkok.com/bamboo-tattoo-bangkok/

(9) What is a Sak Yant Tattoo. 2022 Sak Yant Chiang Mai https://sakyantchiangmai.com/what-is-a-sak-yant-tattoo/

(10) Pansa Khrueaklai and Noppadol Inchan, 2002, p. 73)

(11) Chuanphit Naphatasaai (editor), Dhammatharo Achariyanuson, (cited), page 49.

(12) Book The Brave One. (Phra Athit Attharo and Phra Maha Wirot , 2566)

(13) Tourist Bamboo Tattoo vs Real Sak Yant. Youtube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HogMIhYYz8

(14) The Story of the Bamboo Tattoo Needle. Thai Tattoo Chiang Mai. https://thaitattoochiangmai.com/2016/08/28/bamboo-sak-yant-needles/

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How to Avoid getting Fake Sak Yants (Bamboo Tattoos)