One of the most bizarre festivals that I have ever attended in Thailand is the Tattoo Festival. This takes place at Wat Bang Phra temple in Nakhon Chaisi, about 50 kms west of Bangkok. This year it is on Saturday 3rd March 2012. Wat Bang Phra is famous for its magically charged tattoos and amulets which can protect its wearer against harm and even speeding bullets. The temple was made famous by the late Luang Phor Boon and his devoted followers visit this temple every March to take part in a special “wai khru” ceremony and also to have their tattoos recharged.
The ceremony is scheduled to start at the auspicious time of 9.39 a.m. However, it is a good idea to come early. We were there just before 7 a.m. At that time it is easier to park and also to find a good place to sit or stand to watch the proceedings. Although we had arrived early, there was already close on a thousand people there. Many of them were sitting on the ground facing the shrine for Luang Poh Pern. Others were making offerings to this former revered abbot of the temple. He was famous for making magical tattoos that could protect their wearer. Now his monks continue this practice.
I have two reports on this festival:
- Festival at Tattoo Temple (06 March 2006)
- Wat Bang Phra Magic Tattoo Festival (08 March 2009 )
Near this temple you will find Lampaya Floating Market. You might like to visit afterwards. Please feel free to post any questions in the comments form below.
Ti non mi tae kon ngo yu 555 (*_*)
Looking forward to checking out this festival! Do you have any information on transportation out there, i.e., is there anything organized, or is it every man/woman/child for himself? Thanks!
Nothing really organized. Very chaotic and very loud. Don’t go if you don’t like big crowds! It is not easy to get there either. I know some foreigners in the past hired a taxi for the day.
Thanx for information, Richard! Will you go this year? It will be nice to meet you there..
I was going to take a friend but he has just cancelled so it looks like I won’t be going.
Hello,
How do you get to Wat Bang Khra from Bangkok ?
… I’ve read that I must take train to Nakhom Pathom then taxi. But Nakhom Pathom train station is 23 kms to the temple. So it is easy to catch a taxi from the train station ?
I’ve been there 3 years ago but with a friend’s car and I really enjoyed that festival and would love to go there by myself this year !
Thanks
Yum
I think most people rent a taxi for the day from Bangkok. I think would be much easier. Anyway, you must be there early and I don’t think you will manage it by train.
on how to get there relatively quickly and cheaper than a taxi rental (minibus from Victory Monument):
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110815161703AAOdvK9
First train departing Thonburi is 7:25 AM with arrival at Nakhom Pathom at 8:30 AM then taxi. I will try to make it by train as Thonburi train station is closer to my house that van or bus stations.
I am on my own so taxi is quite expensive : he charges me a fixed rate of of 2,000 Baht for 2 ways plus the waiting time ! It’s a shame you won’t be there ! Have a nice week end Richard.
Hi, i just came back from Wat Bang Phra and got a tattoo done and i got it a day after the tattoo festival. Was there on the 4 March. Could you let me know the date for next’s year festival if you know of it?
I don’t know the exact dates, but it is usually on a Saturday in early March.
Ok but if you get to know could you inform me? would like to go next year.
I will be posting on here for sure as soon as I know.
ok great! thanks!!