On May 27, 1996, the Thai newspaper  “The Nation” became the first newspaper to feature Ajan Noo’s Tattoo Story on its front page.  The report and his glory, as well as Thai Tattoos,

became widely known to foreigners in Asia and western countries.   

            Soon after the above news story, Angelina Jolie, leading actress of the movie “Tomb Raider” contacted Samnak, via her interpreter. It was by an international call from Los Angeles, USA, asking if the superstar could wear tattoo. Since then she had not made an appointment, no further contact at all.

            More visitors continued to come from all corners of Thailand. The place became very crowded again.  The amount of new followers did not seem to decrease and the size of the crowd made the place very stifling. 

 

                                 

 

Momchao Chatri Chalermyukol, a film producer, asked Ajan Noo to do tattoo designs for a new movie “Suriyothai.”

 

             On October 26, 1999 Momchao Chatri  Chalermyukol, or Than Mui, of Prommit Production Limited, wrote to Ajan Noo requesting him to do the body decorations for all the characters of this big budget film.  The alphabets on all actors’ skin needed to look real and correct.  Accordingly the master accepted this

important job.

In order to fit appropriately with the subject matter of the great motion picture the master sculptured a model with  powerful tattoo designs including sets of alphabets.

            The special tasks  of 100 designs directly affected his works at Samnak as he could  not have time available for any other tattooing.  By the way, the time-consuming work was all worthwhile because the movie succeeded in the becoming Thailand’s No 1 highest income film.  All characters and scenes were admired by fans in Thailand. Apart from tattoo designs, the cutting and mixing process of this film was perfect so overseas companies bought it to show abroad.

 

            The fame of the picture went well for the tattoo guru of Thailand.  His followers recognized his talent and accepted he was second to none for unique tattooing in Thailand.

            During 2000 and 2001, many priests met with Ajan Noo at Samnak.  Phrakru Vinaithornjittipong Kittijitto (Luangpi Namfon) was vice-abbot of Wat Pailom.  He asked to have yantras on his body skin. The powerful yantras included Takhaipeth, meant for diamond catcher, and Phra Sutra, a piece of holy writing.  Those tattoos satisfied the monk so he suggested his subordinates wore Ajan Noo’s magical alphabets as well.  Luangpi Namfon associated closely with Ajan Noo for years thereafter enjoying good relations with him. As part of holy ceremonies at Wat Pailom for creating miniature Buddha figures, Ajan Noo was invited to jointly participate in the sanctification. Through this the public became aware of various yantra, icons and other materials associated with Ajan Noo.

 

               Phra Ajan Chamnan (Luangpao Uttamapanyo) was abbot of Wat Bangkudeethong, in Prathumthani.  He had visited samnak from when he was a novice right up to when he became senior monk. He was fond of powerful magic so he was always asking Ajan Noo for some tattoos.

            Another one  was Luangpao Thienkai Supatto, abbot of Wat Maetrakhrai. This temple is under the royal patronage of the Queen. Besides the same as above activities, Ajan Noo was pleased to donate some money earned from his devotees to support building a new monastery for the temple. He also bought mortuaries for dead person who had no relatives to host their funerals.  So far the building is nearly completed. The temple also became common place handling non-relative funerals. Luangpao Thienkai enjoyed helping Ajan Noo to handle religious rites at Samnak.        

            Phra Kru Vinaitharamanit Manavo (Luangpi Uan),who took charge of the funeral foundation at Wat Sikan, was the master’s close companion over 10 years and always visited Samnak.  Ajan Noo trusted Phra Uan, especially on rites and religious events there.