Our next installment of things to do in Pattaya is the Sanctuary of Truth. Pattaya has a number of fun things to do that don’t get a lot of attention. This is another great way to spend a couple hours during the day, and an excellent opportunity to take some great photos. The castle is within the city limits and close to most hotels. The Sanctuary of Truth is entirely had crafted out of wood and has been under construction for the past 20 years. According to the guide, it is estimated that it will take another twenty years before it will be completed. The intricate wood carvings hold both spiritual and philosophical meanings.
Getting to the Sanctuary of Truth
Located within the Pattaya city limits, in the Naklua area, it is a short trip from most Pattaya hotels. You can book a tour through most travel desks, but this really isn’t necessary. You can hire a baht bus (Songtaew) to take you and your friends there. The cost will depend on how many people you have and how good your negotiation skills are. I recommend that you also talk to the driver upon your arrival to get his phone number to get him to pick you up. Most drivers will stick around and wait for you, knowing the baht they will get for the personal hire will be more than they will make doing circles around second road. If you choose to send your driver on his way, be aware you may be waiting for a while to see another baht bus show up if it is a slow day. You may have to hoof it to the main road in order to catch a ride home.
History of the Sanctuary of Truth
There is way too much information and philosophy related to the Sanctuary for me to summarize it here, but I will try to provide a brief overview. The Sanctuary of Truth was conceived by a successful business man and billionaire name Khun Lek. It is a fine example of traditional Thai architecture, and elaborately inlaid with hand crafted wood sculptures. It has a blend of influences from the major religions found in Thailand, Buddhism, Hindu, Khmer, Chinese, and of course Thai.
There is work constantly going on at any time, with upwards of 200 woodcrafter’s working at any one time. Being entirely hand crafted is part of the reason it is going to be a 40 year process to completion. Each of the four wings represent a different philosophical aspect, elemental and religious. The building site is continuously under construction, so hard hats are required
The Tourist Attractions
The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya is one of the great places to take photos on your trip. It overlooks the ocean from a rocky hilltop, and the vast amount of sculptures and architecture can keep you busy for hours if you let it. There is also a dolphin show in the lagoon a couple times a day. If you wish to see this arrive at the right time. There is also an elephant feeding area. You can buy some bananas for a small fee, and feed the baby elephants that are on site. I saw two at the time I was there. This is a great photo opportunity, and the elephants may get a little frisky, which can give you some funny photos. There are also ATV rides available, but if it is rainy season be prepared to get muddy.
The entrance fee was 500 Baht at the time of writing. This is quite a reasonable price since you get a personal tour guide, and the groups are quite small. Their English language skills are quite good and they are very knowledgeable about the Sanctuary.
This is a fine day trip and a good photo outing for those who are looking for a little more than nightlife on their holiday. Take a trip to the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya Thailand and enjoy!
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