Getting a Sak Yant from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht or Eindhoven

You will not find an authentic Sak Yant in every city. How long it takes to reach the studio in Breda from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Eindhoven, and what to look for.

If you are looking for a Sak Yant in the Netherlands, you soon come to the question of where to get one. An authentic Sak Yant, tattooed by hand and blessed by a master trained in Thailand, is not something you will find in every city. Silas van Gemert's studio is in Breda. For most people in the Randstad and Brabant, that is a shorter trip than they think.

In this article you can read how long the journey takes from the major cities, how to plan the trip sensibly and what to look for when choosing a studio. Even if you end up somewhere else, those questions will help you make a good choice.

Why people travel for it

You do not get a Sak Yant because the studio happens to be around the corner. You choose the master: someone who can read the text, knows the ritual and is permitted to give the blessing. A tattoo shop that imitates the style gives you a picture of a Sak Yant. Why the master makes the difference.

On top of that, the conversation beforehand is part of the process. If you live far away, that conversation can also take place online. You then only travel for the session itself.

There is another reason. You wear a Sak Yant for the rest of your life. An hour's travel for something you will carry with you for thirty or forty years is a small effort for most people. Many make a day of it on purpose: an unhurried journey there, the session, and then a wander round the city afterwards.

Why not just in your own city?

Every big city has good tattoo shops, including for handpoke. For a Thai-style tattoo, they are a perfectly good choice. But a Sak Yant is more than the technique: it takes someone who has been trained in the tradition, can read the text and is permitted to give the blessing. There are few such people in the Netherlands, which is why people travel for it.

Think of it like seeing a specialist: for something you will wear your whole life, you would rather choose the right person than the shortest journey.

From Amsterdam

By train, Breda is just over an hour from Amsterdam, via Schiphol and Rotterdam. By car, allow roughly an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic. A morning or afternoon session fits easily into a day.

There is a direct train from Amsterdam Centraal to Breda, with no need to change. Choose a train that arrives well before your appointment, as the walk from the station to the studio takes about ten minutes.

From Rotterdam and The Hague

Rotterdam is the closest: the intercity gets you to Breda in about half an hour, and the drive takes about 45 minutes. From The Hague you travel via Rotterdam and reach Breda in under an hour.

Because the journey is so short, many people from Rotterdam do the session in an afternoon. The intake conversation can then simply take place at the studio, without costing much travel time.

From Leiden and Haarlem you travel via Schiphol or Rotterdam and reach Breda within an hour and a half.

From Utrecht

From Utrecht the train journey takes about an hour. By car, it is about an hour's drive to Breda via the A27.

For people from the middle of the country, Breda is often closer than they think. Feel free to allow some extra time: the centre of Breda is one of the loveliest in the south.

From Eindhoven and the rest of Brabant

From Eindhoven the train via Tilburg gets you to Breda in under an hour, and by car it is about 45 minutes via the A58. From Tilburg, Den Bosch or Bergen op Zoom it is even shorter.

For people in Brabant, Breda is close by. Many first come to the studio for the intake conversation to get a feel for the place, and then plan the session.

From Zeeland and West Brabant

From Zeeland you drive to Breda via the A58. From Middelburg or Goes the journey takes about an hour, and by train you travel via Roosendaal. From Roosendaal and Bergen op Zoom you are there in half an hour.

Getting to the studio

The studio is in the centre of Breda, on Torenstraat, right next to the Grote Kerk. Breda station is a ten-minute walk away: follow Ginnekenstraat towards the centre. If you are coming by car, there are paid car parks nearby, such as Barones and Chassé. Arrive in good time so you can start the session relaxed. What happens in a session.

Online intake: how it works

If you live far away, the intake conversation can take place over a video call. Just as at the studio, you discuss what you are looking for, which design fits, and where it will go and how big it will be. Keep the spot you have in mind to hand, so it can be shown on camera. After the conversation you plan the session and travel to Breda only for that day.

Plan your journey around your session

Arrive in good time so that you do not walk in rushed. Allow plenty of time for the session: how long it takes depends on the design and can be longer than you expect. Wear clothes that give easy access to the spot and that will not rub afterwards.

If you are driving yourself, think about the seatbelt if your yant is going on your shoulder or chest. A soft cloth in between stops the belt pressing on the fresh skin. If you are travelling by train, pick a quiet time if you can, so you are not squashed up against other people in a packed carriage.

Make a day of it in Breda

Breda is a pleasant city to spend a day in. The centre is compact and easy to explore on foot. The Grote Kerk stands right next to the studio, the Valkenberg park lies between the station and the centre, and around the Haven and the Grote Markt there are plenty of places to eat or have a drink.

Do plan it sensibly, though. Do not go on a long shopping trip with a bag over a fresh yant on your shoulder, and do not sit in the sun after the session. A relaxed lunch beforehand and a walk afterwards suit the day better.

If you are coming from further afield, for example from the north of the country, you might consider staying the night. Breda has hotels within walking distance of the centre, and the studio can advise you on places to stay nearby.

From outside the Netherlands

People also come to Breda from Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. From Antwerp it takes about half an hour by train. Read more for Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

What to look for when choosing a studio

Whichever studio you are considering, ask the same questions. Where did the master learn the craft? Can he read and explain the text in the design? Is the work done by hand? Is there a blessing? And is there time for a conversation about what you are looking for? If you get clear answers to those questions, you are in good hands.

Pay attention to what is left unsaid, too. A studio that cannot explain the text, does not hold a conversation beforehand or recommends a design within ten minutes works differently from how the tradition asks. And ask to see healed work, not just fresh photos.

Frequently asked questions about Sak Yant in the Netherlands (FAQ)

Where can I get a Sak Yant in the Netherlands?

From a master who has been trained in the Sak Yant tradition. Silas van Gemert works from his studio in the centre of Breda, easy to reach from the Randstad, Brabant and Belgium.

Can the intake conversation take place online?

Yes. If you live far away, the intake conversation can take place online. You then only travel for the session.

How long will I be in Breda?

It depends on the design, the size and the placement, and it can take longer than you expect. So allow plenty of time; you get an estimate at the intake.

Can I reach the studio by train?

Yes. Breda station is a ten-minute walk from the studio, with direct trains from Rotterdam, Schiphol, Amsterdam and Antwerp, among others.

Can I combine the session with a day out in Breda?

Definitely. Plan a relaxed lunch beforehand and a walk afterwards, and avoid sun and crowds after the session.

Where can I park?

In the paid car parks in the centre, such as Barones and Chassé. From there it is a few minutes' walk to the studio.

How far ahead should I plan if I am coming from far away?

Allow at least one to two weeks, and earlier during busy periods. Plan the intake first and the session after that, so that you only need to travel once if the intake is online.