Tattoo Festival

The annual Tattoo Festival at Wat Bang Phra has put the village of Nakorn Chaisri on the map. Many Thai men believe that tattoos will protect them from all things bad, like accidents, evil spirits and business disasters. Patiently they line up for the revered monk that will scratch the tattoo on their body. The monk tattoos the men with what I would describe as a huge knitting needle and it doesn't get disinfected between jobs. Looking at the faces of the men being tattooed, it is a very painful operation. Quite of a few of these tattoos are done without ink, so that they can protect the owner but won't be visible afterwards, while others proudly display tattoos all over their bodies. At the same time other monks are busy blessing amulets and Buddha images visitors can bring in. (March, Nakhon Chaisri)