Wat Bang Phra tattoo festival 2011

[jcandeli]

Sawat dee krup!
I am new to the forums here but I am curious to get people's opinions on a project that I would like to do.

I've been reading a lot about the tattoo festival at Wat Bang Phra in March. It sounds like a very unique experience and one that I would like to photograph. I know that Thais believe it is bad luck to photograph the ganster tattoos but I think it is culturaly an important (and very facinating) part of the Thai culture.

There is not that many photos of this festival so I am excited to document it to share with other people.

Has anyone been to this festival? If so, what was your experience? Is it dangerous? I would like to find a Thai speaking person to come with me in order to translate if needed and in order to make sure I do not do anything offensive by accident! haha...

thank you so much for your help.
JP

[AllanTan]

Hi... I'm also very interested in Sak Yant and too bad, i do not have a chance to attend this festival yet to date. I would definately try to make it for the one next year and will try to get as much pictures as i can. There's no taboo as in taking photos of the ceremonies or tattoos as everyone is welcomed to join in the festival.

Someone had posted a blog article on the festival this year in march and can be found in Thialand Blogs. He managed to get 2 videos of it and was very informative.

I will be visiting Wat Bang Phra in July this year and if you need any information, i will try to gett them for you during this trip.

The blog is mainly on my experience on Sak Yant and also pics of my own Yants...

Cheers

[jcandeli]

Thank you for the quick response and info! I will most definitely check out the blog and forum posts about this festival. Also, I would love to know any info you may find out when you go in July.

Have you ever stayed with the monks? I was thinking it might be nice to stay a few days before the festival at the temple to make my presence more familiar.

Thanks again!
JP

[Richard Barrow]

Here is a link for the blog I did on my recent visit:

http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?...&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

You can go any time of the year. People go there all the time to do tattoos. But, on that day they go back to recharge their tattoos.

[AllanTan]

staying in the temple with the monks is not recommended as they might not allow visitors to stay with them. And in order to stay within a temple, a person needs to follow certain precepts as a respect as well.

I would recommend that you stay somewhere near the temple in guesthouses and try to make a trip to the temple everyday so as to make your presence felt.

Actually, the temple welcomes everyone to take part in it's festivals and are welcomed to take photos or videos during the festival, there's no taboo about that, so nothing to worry about..

[thaboo]

Some Thai staying overnight or more at the temple because they came too far from home, some from norht and some from south.

Staying with the monk not prohibit but you must get the permitting from individual monk before staying.

Wat bangna is such a big temple; there are many Guthi (กุฏิ) or hall that you can sleep. Just bring your own personal stuff. I am sure you can get allow so easy.

[jcandeli]

Thanks all of you for all this info and help! The guesthouse is a good idea although I mostly wanted to sleep at the temple for the experience. I realize it might be a bad time to do it since the festival is very important and I would not want to disturb anybody but I am very respectful, quiet and polite so I would like to think I would not offend the monks in any way! haha...
I would also try to make a generous donation too. I think it would also help my photography since I am already so detached from this event, it would at least bring me a little closer. Plus I am sure there is a lot to be said about the festival before and after instead of just durring the festival.


I read that blog which was great. I am struggling with the same problem that I do not want to "ruin" this festival by spreading the word too much and making it a tourist destination but I also think it is a worthy cultural event that is incredibly interesting and should be shared.

Thanks everyone.
I will most likely post something before then looking for a Thai speaking person who might be interested in going with me to the festival.

[jcandeli]

Hey everyone! It's me again.

I am trying to plan my trip soon and I was wondering if there is anyway to find the exact date of the tattoo festival this year. I at least need to know which week in March it will be since I can only take off two weeks from work.

thank you so much for your help!!

JP

[le_patrouilleur]

Hi,

I want to go to Wat Bang Phra tattoo festival in few weeks. I never find the exact date for the festival this year (2007). Any idea?

I will arrive in Bangkok on March 7. If I cannot get any info from the tourist office. I will surely plan a tripp to Wat Bang Phra on the 8 to check about the details.

Please keep me inform if some of you would like to share the transport and come with me to one day Wat Bang Phra few days before the event.

Eric

[le_patrouilleur]

Sawat dee krup!
I am new to the forums here but I am curious to get people's opinions on a project that I would like to do.

I've been reading a lot about the tattoo festival at Wat Bang Phra in March. It sounds like a very unique experience and one that I would like to photograph. I know that Thais believe it is bad luck to photograph the ganster tattoos but I think it is culturaly an important (and very facinating) part of the Thai culture.

There is not that many photos of this festival so I am excited to document it to share with other people.

Has anyone been to this festival? If so, what was your experience? Is it dangerous? I would like to find a Thai speaking person to come with me in order to translate if needed and in order to make sure I do not do anything offensive by accident! haha...

thank you so much for your help.
JP

Hi,

Please keep me inform if some of you still plan to go there .I am lookong for people to share the transport for one day to Wat Bang Phra few days before the event to gat more infos!

Eric

Eric