I often go to Bangkok and I asked my driver, who went through monkhood at least 5 times (either for his parent or for good health of the King), do many Thais have Sak Yants. I told him many Singaporeans in Singapore like Sak Yant.

His answer surprised me. He began to tell me why some monks or some Thais do Sak Yants, but GENERALLY, majority of the Thais do not have Sak Yants on their body.

According to him, Sak Yant dated back centuries ago. In the ancient days, wars were common in the then Siam. Soldiers had to protect themselves and many have Sak Yants on their bodies. Muay Thai people have Sak Yant to protect themself mentally, spiritually and physically. Muay Thai is not just about the strength, precision and power, it is also about how peaceful is one's mind to strike down the opponent with confidence.

There are monks with Sak Yants, not all, either because of their pre monkhood activities or they are forest monks and need protection from the spirits. Some have Sak Yants that may help them in their quest for mindfulness and towards enlightenment.

He is surprised why many Singaporeans like Sak Yants, and whether there is a need. He has no Sak Yant, but he said most of the monks without Sak Yants survive tudong or forest retreat in one piece, no snake bite etc, as their masters teach them to chant certain Katha. i am keen to learn such Katha.