Situated on the East coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya city is about 100 kilometers from Bangkok. Over the last few years the city has changed significantly and now attracts families and Thai residents from Bangkok.
The most iconic structure in Pattaya is The Sanctuary of Truth. Intricately carved entirely from teak wood, the awe-inspiring 105 meter-tall hall is a one-of-a-kind structure in the word. Neither temple nor 
palace, despite looking like a hybrid of both, it was commissioned by a local business tycoon to act as a place of appreciation for philosophy, art, culture and faith, without being tied to a single religion.
Situated on Na Klua Road, North Pattaya, The Sanctuary of Truth covers an area of more than 3,200 sq. meters,. It’s name in Thai is Prasat Satchatham, with “prasat” meaning “castle” and “satchatham” meaning “philosophy”.
The Sanctuary of Truth was constructed according to ancient Thai ingenuity to withstand wind and sunshine on the seashore. Made entirely of wood (without any metal nails) and commanding a celestial view of the ocean, it is best described as a visionary environment: part art installation, religious shrine and cultural monument. It’s four wings are each dedicated to a religious iconography: Thai, Khmer, Chinese and Indian. Through elaborate carvings and sculptures, it pays tribute to the seven creators man cannot exist without: Heaven, Earth, Father, Mother, Moon, Sun and Stars.
Covering an impressive area of two rai, every part of the attraction is embellished with magnificent wood carvings. Even the bolts that hold the wall, roof, floors and sculptures are made of wood. Although construction was started in 1981, the building has not been completed yet; it is being constantly added to, developed and repaired (against salt air deterioration) and is set for completion in 2025. For this reason, visitors need to wear a safety helmet provided when touring the facility with the assigned guide.
The Sanctuary of Truth is located in the Naklua area of Pattaya, close by Centara. It is open daily from 8am to 5pm, entrance fee is THB 500. To get there, motorcycle taxis can be hired from Pattaya for THB 50 to 70.
THE SANCTUARY OF TRUTH :
206/2 Moo5, Soi Naklua 12 ,Pattaya-Naklua Road, Pattaya.
Tel. 038-367 815
www.sanctuaryoftruth.com
