The Sanctuary of Truth is Thailand's largest wood structure, constructed entirely of wood with not even a single metal nail, in the traditional Thai carpenter manner. The Sanctuary of Truth was designed with the intention of honouring Buddhist and Hindu principles. You can opt for guided tours that take you through the cultural philosophy of this place as well as let you indulge in some recreational activities like elephant rides and boat rides.
The Sanctuary of Truth is a magnificent construction of wood which is situated at the Rachvate cape of Naklua Pattaya City. Holding the glory of arts and philosophy of goodness, this place is considered to be the world’s largest and most astonishing woodcarving structure. The architecture of this museum is a unique blend of both temple and palace which was built by King Rama IX. Consider including it in your Thailand tour packages to witness the grandeur of this extraordinary wooden marvel. This museum is the place which describes the best of the Thai craftsmanship. The intricately carved elephants, people, scenes creatures and the mythological deities are a stunning view to admire.
These carvings are a tribute to the Ancient vision of Earth and also the Ancient Knowledge and Eastern Philosophy which is embraced at every corner of this monument. This building is also a strong vision of human existence as the older parts of the museums wooden carvings have degraded with the effects of weather and climate. Thus the construction of this museum is an ongoing and never-ending process which started in 1981. This 105m tall building is not just a place which reflects a beautiful blend of cultures and traditions, but also organizes tours in multiple languages for the visitors to understand better.
Not just this, Thai dance performances are also a major highlight of this unique museum. To get a better insight of this one of a kind attractions in Pattaya, follow this handy guide and witness something which is just a marvel creation of mankind.
• Once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the impressive wooden religious shrine and monument in Thailand.
• Trace the origins of the architectural designs and the wood carvings of Thailand
• Take a guided tour to know more about the cultural philosophy of the building that is about 105 meters tall.
• Indulge in some of the recreational activities including river boat rides and elephant rides.
The Sanctuary of Truth is located close to Na Kluea neighbourhood which is at the north of Pattaya’s main beach. To reach this place, it takes around 20-30 minutes by a car which depends on the traffic conditions too. Apart from that the visitors can also ride a northbound minibus which starts from “Dolphin Roundabout” in the city centre. The minibus will cost around 10 baht and take around 30 minutes to reach the museum. The visitors have to tell the driver to drop off at “Prasat Sajja Tham” which is the name of the Sanctuary in Thai language.
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The best time to visit the Sanctuary of Truth is during the November to February when the climate in Pattaya is quite pleasant. During this time the weather is moderate which is neither too hot nor too cold. Also in these months, people can also visit other beaches surrounding the place and attractions.
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The Central Hall incorporates a gorgeous wooden throne and the absence of deities at the gates encircling it represents emancipation, eternal truth, and peace. It also encourages us to purify our minds and obey Lord Buddha's five precepts, which include refraining from murdering, stealing, adultery, lying, and vices.
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The sun, moon, and stars - the three creators of life – are the focal points of the Southern Hall. Each star signifies a different day of the week, and you are destined to have a specific trait based on the day you were born. It's all about parental love in the Southern Hall. It tells us about the final two creators, our mothers and fathers, and their unconditional love. It teaches that love is the most important thing in life.
The Taoist and Confucian principles are depicted in the Northern Hall. It represents Buddhist views that, despite differences in birth, if people make merits and do good, they will be free of vices, greed, and passion and attain Nirvana.
"The Origin" is the name for the Western Hall. The four elements of nature — Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water – created the Earth. Vishnu, the Hindu god who rests on a Naga in the middle of the ocean and depicts Water. Brahma, who rides a swan and symbolizes Air, and Shiva, who resides on top of a mountain and signifies Earth and Fire, are all depicted there.
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While you are visiting the Sanctuary of Truth, you should make sure that you cover your body properly. You should not wear any kind of revealing clothes which is not considered properly while entering into any Buddhist place of worship or building.
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The name Sanctuary of Truth translates to Prasat Sathatham where Prasat means a castle and Sat Chatham means Philosophy. The architecture of the structure dates back almost 400 years in the past to the Ayutthaya era.
The construction of the Sanctuary of Truth was started in the year 1981 and it is still continuing. The structure is spread over an area of 12 hectares and is home to an internal space of 2,115 m2, with the tallest spire reaching to 105 m.
Sanctuary of Truth, the unfinished museum in Pattaya, is located on the Pattaya Beach Road. You can right into Naklua Road from the North Pattaya Road and then turn left into Naklua Soi 12 towards the end.
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