On the first Saturday of March , believers visit the Wat Bangphra Buddist temple to have their bodies tattooed . Known for the 'sak yants ' given by the monks who live there , these 'magic tattoos ' are said to have mystical powers . The tattoo is done in a special way and involves using ink from an ancient Buddhist text called the Dhammapada ( or Book of Wisdom ) which was written down around 500 years ago.
On the first Saturday of March , believers visit the Wat Bangphra Buddist temple to have their bodies tattooed . Known for the 'sak yants ' given by the monks who live there , these 'magic tattoos ' are said to have mystical powers . The ink , which may be infused with snake venom , causes its wearers to enter into a deep , trance-like state .