[jamisi]

hi, i would also like to know, when the tattoo festival is going to be held this year (2008), if anybody has the exact day, it would be great to hear from You...

thanks, david !!!

[monologue]

Hello,
I am off to tour Thailand for three weeks in November. I know that showing the bottom of the foot and pointing with your feet is very rude in Thailand. I have two tatoos and they happen to be on the top of my feet. The one on my right foot is a Tibetan knot (It is a diamond shaped 'eternal' knot and, amongst other things, the symbol represents the form that The Buddha's entrails took upon attaining nirvana. I knew this before getting the tattoo but it didn't necessarily weigh heavily on the decision to get it). Do you think Thai people will take offense? Is the sacred head to lowly feet belief prevalent throughout Buddhism or is it a predominantly Thai norm? I didn't think I would ever get a tattoo but somehow since I turned thirty five I have ended up with two. Gees, I am hoping that I am not just another rude farang that has gone and gotten a tattoo that is offensive to a majority of Buddhist's. Oh Dear. Will I be wearing socks to all the Wat's?ordoIworrytoomuch.D

I know you've probably been here already but anyway, from what I see there are many monks with tattoos showing that they got when they were younger and sillier, and not always with Buddhist motiffs. I imagine that this is understandable and not held against people among the sangha.

[Dfvgthyju]

Hello. Thank you very much for your response. I have a couple of questions if you don`t mind. How sterile and clean is it to get a tattoo done at these temples? Do they traditionally or with a tattoo gun? Thank you again!

Melissa

[Dfvgthyju]

Thank you everyone who replied and especially Richard Barrow for the dates of the festival. My family will be in Thailand exactly at the time of the festival. Do you know if young children attend the festival?

[911_993_911]

Have you seen my video clips?

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19093

It can be a bit scary at times. There are literally thousands of people. Best to stand on the sidelines somewhere. I have it marked on my calendar though I am not sure whether to visit again. It is possible.

[911_993_911]

We will try and find out for you on Monday. Last time we rang the temple but I cannot find the number at the moment. Please post again later in the week if you don't hear anything back from us.

[bxxasxxa]

Hello,
I am off to tour Thailand for three weeks in November. I know that showing the bottom of the foot and pointing with your feet is very rude in Thailand. I have two tatoos and they happen to be on the top of my feet. The one on my right foot is a Tibetan knot (It is a diamond shaped 'eternal' knot and, amongst other things, the symbol represents the form that The Buddha's entrails took upon attaining nirvana. I knew this before getting the tattoo but it didn't necessarily weigh heavily on the decision to get it). Do you think Thai people will take offense? Is the sacred head to lowly feet belief prevalent throughout Buddhism or is it a predominantly Thai norm? I didn't think I would ever get a tattoo but somehow since I turned thirty five I have ended up with two. Gees, I am hoping that I am not just another rude farang that has gone and gotten a tattoo that is offensive to a majority of Buddhist's. Oh Dear. Will I be wearing socks to all the Wat's?ordoIworrytoomuch.D

[911_993_911]

Sorry for the delay - I can now confirm that the festival will be held on Saturday March 22nd 2008.

Please ask me again next month and I will try and get the date confirmed again.

[jamisi]

hi richard,

thanks a lot, i will book my flight these days then. if confirmation or the date is possible (or needed), would begreat too. again, thank you!

[Anamehuskeene]

Hi there,
I'm planning to go to the festival this year and I'm just wondering if there are any guesthouses in nakhon chaisi!? because the ceremony starts in the early morning, it would be easier to arrive the day before, don't you think?
Or is it possible to leave BKK with bus or train in the early morning that day?

thanks for any help

[Dfvgthyju]

Hello Richard,

Thank you for your quick reply. I will definitely keep looking for those dates. Please post them when you can.

Thanks again,
Melissa

[Dfvgthyju]

Does anyone know when the Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Festival is for 2008? I know they are in March sometime but does anyone have any exact dates? Also thinking of getting a tattoo done there. Has anyone gotten on done during the festival? Is it safe? Sterile? I would appreciate any information anyone might have. Thanks!

[Nidsstese]

Ther are usually two cermonies the first is the Kob kru ( laying on of the Ruesii head). Following that i think two days after is the Big festivell that i believe you are talking about. I have been studing Sak Yant ( thai tattooing) for a few years now so if you have some questions just send them to me. I let you know when the Wai kru cermony is on when i find out. And like Richard said dont get it on the day, go a week or so befor

[XarokLasa]

Sorry for the delay - I can now confirm that the festival will be held on Saturday March 22nd 2008.

Please ask me again next month and I will try and get the date confirmed again.

Hai Richard, is the date you mention still confirmed?

[911_993_911]

Yes, I can confirm it is Saturday 22nd March 2008. Ceremony is about 7-8 a.m. For tattoos, you can go any time during the day.

[911_993_911]

I don't believe it has been fixed yet for next year. There are literally thousands of people there during the festival and so I wouldn't advise you trying to get a tattoo at that time. Maybe go there a week beforehand. I remember reading an account on the Internet about a guy who did just that a few years ago. I think we might have linked to it already somewhere. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will see links to related threads already posted on this subject. I was there a couple of years ago.

Hang around as we will be posting the dates here as soon as we have them.