Topic: Religious tattoos by a Buddhist monk at Golden Mile Complex

The downturn in the economy has led to an increase in profits for Siam Ink, a tattoo parlor at Golden Mile Complex.

Known for offering Sak Yants, religious tattoos said to give paranormal abilities to its wearers, Siam Ink has managed a 25 per cent increase in profits during the past year even with fierce competition from other tattoo parlors that have sprung up in the vicinity.

Mr Christopher Teow, owner of Siam Ink, said many people who get Sak Yant tattoos do so to increase luck, wealth or to avert danger.

He explained, Siam Ink has been able to stand out from the rest of the other tattoo parlors offering Sak Yants because Master Jin, a highly-ranked monk from Thailand, is the one who does the Sak Yants at my shop.

Demonstrating the draw that Master Jin has towards people, Mr Wilson Ng, a sales executive at Philips Electronics, said he frequently used his lunch breaks to visit Master Jin.

Mr Ng said, Ever since I received the Yant Chu Deuan tattoo from Master Jin last November, I have seen an increase in luck and work has been smooth-sailing.

A check with Mr Desmond Weng, owner of Thai Amulets Pte Ltd, showed not only tattoo parlors offering Sak Yants are seeing an increase in profits.

Topic: Religious tattoos by a Buddhist monk at Golden Mile Complex

Mr Weng said, Despite the bad economy, more people have been coming to my shop to buy amulets that can help them increase wealth. This does not mean that they are superstitious. There are certain forces in this world that cannot be explained through words, they can only be felt.

However, many Singaporeans believe such mystic businesses only serve to manipulate people who are worried by the economic downturn.

Ms Stacy Eng, a marketing administrator at DBS Bank, commented that she felt that such businesses only played on peoples superstitious natures.

She said, I dont see how getting tattooed can help someone overcome obstacles or increase his or her luck. It just doesnt sound logical.

Topic: Religious tattoos by a Buddhist monk at Golden Mile Complex

Story Process Diary a) Original story idea: Why do people believe that getting Sak Yants can help them increase their luck and wealth?

b) Origin of story idea: Sak Yants are religious tattoos which are said to give the wearer paranormal abilities depending on the type of tattoo one chooses.

c) Why is it of interest? Getting Sak Yants are one of the unexplainable things that Singaporeans do just to turn their misfortune around.

d) Potential sources: Working adults Monks Believers in the art of Sak Yant

e) Actual sources: 1. Christopher Teow, owner of Siam Ink at Golden Mile Complex. Shop address: 5001 Beach Road, Golden Mile Complex, #03-62G, Singapore 199588. 3

Topic: Religious tattoos by a Buddhist monk at Golden Mile Complex

Contact: 97309040

2. Master Jin, visiting monk from Thailand who does Sak Yant tattoos at Siam Ink. Contact: Same as above

3. Stacy Eng, marketing administrator at DBS Bank Pte Ltd. Contact: 91421969

4. Wilson Ng, sales executive at Philips Electronics Pte Ltd. Contact: 90602487

5. Desmond Weng, owner of Thai Amulets Pte Ltd at Golden Mile Tower. Shop address: 6001 Beach Road, Golden Mile Tower, #02-28, Singapore 199589. Contact: 96430900

f) Limitation: Language barrier between Master Jin and me. Siam Ink store owner too commercialised not interested in providing more information when he found out that I was not purchasing anything.

g) Story evolution: I feel that the original story idea would make my article too opinionated. My current article touches on the topic of Singaporeans who are willing to spend money in this economic downturn to get tattooed. I believe that this also presents a more hard news angle. Businessmen and entrepreneurs may also be interested in this topic.

Topic: Religious tattoos by a Buddhist monk at Golden Mile Complex

h) Other comments: None.