Walking Street
Pattaya, Thailand
Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya
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Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- day 500 baht, night 700; children 110–140 cm 250/350
- Hours
- Day 8:20–18:00, night 18:20–20:30; ticket desk 8:00–17:00 and 17:30–19:30
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Adult ticket
- Day 500 baht, night 700
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Children
- 110–140 cm — 250 baht by day, 350 at night; under 110 cm — free
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Tours
- Guided and audio tours on a schedule, in many languages
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Rules
- Hard hat inside; modest dress — shawls or sarongs for a 200 baht deposit
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Where
- Laem Ratchawet, Naklua — ≈ 7 km north of central Pattaya
Key facts
1981construction began — and it's still being built
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sanctuaryoftruthmuseum.comEnglish Wikipedia105 mthe height of the main spire
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English WikipediaWoodthe whole building is wood — teak, takian and other species
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English Wikipedia13 haof grounds; the halls cover 2,115 m² inside
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English Wikipedia4 hallsfacing the cardinal points — on family, the elements, the heavens and liberation
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English WikipediaLek Viriyaphantthe Thai businessman behind it, also creator of the Ancient City park
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English Wikipedia500 / 700baht for adult day and night tickets
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sanctuaryoftruthmuseum.comHard hatrequired inside, as work continues under the roof
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sanctuaryoftruthmuseum.comTickets, opening hours and tours
According to the official website, an adult day ticket costs 500 baht and a night ticket 700; children 110–140 cm pay 250 and 350 baht, and under 110 cm go free. Day tours run 8:20 to 18:00 (ticket desk 8:00–17:00), night tours 18:20 to 20:30 (desk 17:30–19:30). Parking is free. Online tickets are tied to a date and non-refundable.
Visitors go round in scheduled groups: tours run in Thai, English, Chinese, Russian and other languages, with a live guide or an audio guide; leaflets come in about twenty languages. Check the museum's website for tour times in your language.
What is the Sanctuary of Truth?
The Sanctuary of Truth is a vast wooden temple-palace on Laem Ratchawet cape in Naklua, north Pattaya. It was conceived by Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphant, who also created the Ancient City park near Bangkok. Building began in 1981 and still isn't finished: carvers are still at work under the roof.
The whole structure is wood — teak, takian and other species — and the main spire rises 105 m. The architecture draws on the temples of Ayutthaya, and every surface is carved with Hindu and Buddhist ideas: four halls facing the cardinal points tell of family, the elements, the heavenly bodies and the path to liberation.
What to see
- The main hall under the 105 m spire — carvings from floor to ceiling.
- The four halls facing the cardinal points — family, elements, planets and liberation.
- The carvers' workshop on the south side — see the work up close.
- The seaward facade — the best view of the building.
- The night tour — the sanctuary lit up.
- Thai music and dance in the grounds, and a restaurant by the pond.
How to get to the Sanctuary of Truth
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From central Pattaya it's about 7 km north — 10–15 minutes by Bolt or Grab.
- By blue songthaew along Beach Road and Naklua Road to Soi Naklua 12, then about 1 km on foot towards the sea.
- From Bangkok it's about 150 km, 2 hours by car or transfer.
- The address is 206/2 Moo 5, Pattaya-Naklua Road; taxis wait at the entrance for the trip back.
- The ticket desk is at the gate; a path leads through the gardens to the sea.
How long do you need?
The hall tour takes about an hour; allow 1.5–2 hours with the gardens, workshop and viewpoints. Mornings, from 8:20–9:00, are quieter and cooler. The night tour costs more, but the lit-up sanctuary looks completely different.
Afterwards, head back to Pattaya Beach and on to Walking Street in the evening — 10–15 minutes by taxi.
Is the Sanctuary of Truth worth it?
Yes: it's one of Thailand's most unusual buildings — giant woodcarving right by the sea, created before your eyes.
The YesGo take: the ticket costs more than most temples, and you can only go round with a group. If you don't like tours, take the audio guide. The night tour is lovely but costs 200 baht more than the day tour.
Before you go: checklist
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Pattaya temples: compare and choose
Temples and shrines in Pattaya rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Sanctuary of Truthyou are here | 43 | 2 h | day 500 baht, night 700; children 110–140 cm 250/350 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pattaya Viewpoint | 41 | 45 min | Free | 6.1 km |
| Khao Chi Chan Buddha | 30 | 30 min | Free | 24.4 km |
| Wat Yansangwararam | 29 | 1 h | Free | 21.8 km |
Pattaya in a day
The Sanctuary of Truth in the morning, Pattaya Beach in the afternoon and Walking Street in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Sanctuary of Truthyou are here2 h · day 500 baht, night 700; children 110–140 cm 250/350
- 65 min walk from the previous stopPattaya Beach1 h 30 min · free
- 29 min walk from the previous stopWalking Street1 h 30 min · free (street)
3 places · about 6 h 34 min with walks · 94 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- The best shot is from the seaward side, on the shoreline path.
- Morning tours mean fewer people and soft light.
- Look into the carvers' workshop — it's part of the museum.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the halls have plenty of steps.
- In the evening: Walking Street in the centre.
Questions
How much is a Sanctuary of Truth ticket?
500 baht by day, 700 at night; children 110–140 cm pay 250/350, under 110 cm free.
What are the opening hours?
Day tours 8:20–18:00, night tours 18:20–20:30.
Which languages are tours in?
Thai, English, Chinese, Russian and others, with a guide or audio guide on a schedule.
What is the dress code?
Modest clothing; shawls or sarongs are lent for a 200 baht deposit.
Why the hard hat?
Construction continues inside — hats are compulsory for everyone.
How do I get to the Sanctuary of Truth?
It's about 7 km from central Pattaya — 10–15 minutes by Bolt or Grab.
How long do you need?
1.5–2 hours; the tour itself is about an hour.
Why isn't it finished?
It's been under construction since 1981, and work continues today.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Official Sanctuary of Truth Museum website — prices, hours, ticket desk, tour schedule, rules, address
- English Wikipedia — Sanctuary of Truth: start of construction, height, area, timber, halls, founder
- Wikidata Q262459 — coordinates; OSRM route — distance from central Pattaya
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
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