Day ticket
฿450
- Daytime entry
- Tours in six languages
- Child: ฿225
All-wood sanctuary · Naklua, Pattaya
Sanctuary of Truth
A towering temple of carved wood by the sea, every wall and roof covered in gods, mythical creatures and scenes from Thai, Khmer, Chinese and Indian art.
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The Sanctuary of Truth (Prasat Sut Ja Tum) is a building made entirely of wood at the north end of Pattaya. It is not a working temple but a museum, a monument to Eastern art, religion and philosophy.
Its carvings set out seven "truths" of human life, from the four elements and the cycle of birth and death to the family. The work has never stopped: carvers replace weathered pieces and add new ones, so some part of the building is always under scaffolding.
- Location
- Pattaya, Thailand
- Height
- 105 m to the top of the spire
- Construction began
- 1981
- Grounds
- 13 hectares on the seafront
- Built from
- Teak and other Thai hardwoods
What to see at the Sanctuary of Truth
01
Four halls
Each wing has its own theme: Guanyin in the north, the sun, moon and planets in the south, the Hindu Trinity in the west and the family in the east.
02
Brahma and Ganesha on the roof
A four-faced Brahma crowns the central tower, with Ganesha beside him, above roofs lined with carved celestial figures.
03
Carvers at work
In the open workshop south of the building, Thai and Burmese carvers shape new panels by hand with hammer and chisel.
04
Joints instead of nails
The main timbers lock together with traditional Thai joints and wooden wedges, which, unlike metal nails, do not rust.
05
The viewpoint
From the cliff above, the whole building seems to stand in the sea: the classic photo of the Sanctuary of Truth.
06
Extras on the grounds
Elephant rides, horse-drawn carriages, boat trips, a mini zoo and Thai costume hire, all paid on site.
Sanctuary of Truth ticket prices
Prices below are online; at the gate they are higher: a day ticket costs ฿500 (฿250 for a child) and a night ticket ฿700. Children under 110 cm go free, from 110 to 140 cm they pay the child price, and taller children pay the adult price.
Every ticket includes a guided tour. Book at least an hour ahead and exchange the voucher for a ticket at the counter. Online tickets can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before; tickets bought at the gate cannot be refunded.
Night ticket
฿600
- Evening entry, with the building lit up
- Tours in English or Thai
- Child: ฿350
Day ticket + Nong Nooch
฿850
- Daytime entry here and entry to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
- Child (110–130 cm): ฿480
Location and opening hours
The Sanctuary of Truth stands on the seafront in Naklua, at the north end of Pattaya: about 15–25 minutes from Central Pattaya by Grab, Bolt or taxi.
- Daily
- 08:00 – 18:0018:20 – 20:30
- Last admission
- 1 hour before closing
- Address
- 206/2 Moo 5, Soi Naklua 12, Naklua, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20150, Thailand
The day and night sessions are separate tickets.
Before you visit
Is the Sanctuary of Truth worth visiting?
Yes, if you like art and architecture. Every wall, pillar and roof of the Sanctuary of Truth is carved, and the guided tour explains what the carvings mean. Leave time for the viewpoint, which shows the whole building against the sea.
How much is the Sanctuary of Truth entrance fee?
A day ticket costs ฿450 online and ฿500 at the gate. Children from 110 to 140 cm pay ฿225 online, and under 110 cm go free. The night session costs more: ฿600 online. Book tickets
Is there a dress code?
Yes. Cover your shoulders and knees: short shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops are not allowed. Shawls and sarongs are lent at the entrance for a ฿200 deposit. Everyone also wears a hard hat inside, provided on site.
How long does a visit take?
The guided tour lasts 45 to 60 minutes. With the viewpoint, the carving workshop and the grounds, plan on 2 to 4 hours.
Is the Sanctuary of Truth really built without nails?
Not entirely. The main timbers are held together by traditional joints and wooden wedges, because metal nails rust and are too short for beams this size. The carved panels, though, are fixed with metal nails.
Should I go during the day or at night?
Go by day to see the carvings in detail and visit the viewpoint and the grounds; come early, when it is cooler and quieter. The night session, from 18:20, shows the building lit up, with tours in English or Thai.
Is it wheelchair-accessible?
Partly. Wheelchairs are lent free at the information desk, and inside there are ramps and a wooden lift. A free shuttle takes older and disabled visitors from the viewpoint down to the building; everyone else walks down the stairs.