Categories > Guides and Tips
The Ultimate Guide to the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya
- Best Time to Go
- Things to Know
- How to Get to the Sanctuary of Truth
- What to Do at the Sanctuary of Truth
- Stroll outside the Sanctuary
- Explore the inside of the Sanctuary
- Try out nearby activities
- Where to Stay Near the Sanctuary of Truth
- Beston Pattaya Hotel
- Centre Point Prime Hotel Pattaya
- Ibis Pattaya
- Double Boutique Residence
- A-One Pattaya Beach Resort
- Where to Eat Near the Sanctuary of Truth
- MAYs Pattaya
- Casa Pascal Restaurant
- La Bocca Pattaya
- Cafe des Amis Fine Dining
- El Greco Greek and Mediterranean Restaurant Pattaya
- Apps to Download for Your Sanctuary of Truth Trip
The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya is one of the most unique temples in Thailand. It’s a must-visit especially if you want to experience the biggest attraction in Pattaya and enjoy firsthand the the traditional vibe of the largest wooden temple in the country!
This temple cum museum, though, has more to offer you than just its size, looks, or intricate sculptures as it also has deep cultural significance to the people of Thailand. If you want to know more about what makes this site special, read on!
Best Time to Go
In terms of the ideal weather to visit the Sanctuary of Truth is during the dry season or from December to March. During this period, you’ll get generally pleasant weather making it ideal for you to go on tour around the area.
If you visit during the month of April, you can participate in one of the country’s most popular festivals, Songkran. However, expect thick crowds wherever you go around Thailand.
In terms of the best time to visit within the day, we recommend that you visit the temple early in the morning. The first batch of guests can get in around 8:00 AM and if you’re able to join this batch, you can avoid the rush of tourists that arrive at around 9:00 AM.
You can also drop by the sanctuary in the late afternoon at around 5:00 PM. This will give you the opportunity to experience the beautiful Pattaya sunset which occurs around 6:00 PM.
Things to Know
Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Thai
Calling Code: +66
Address: 206 2 Soi Naklua 12, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Price:
- 500 THB per adult
- 250 THB for kids
- Toddlers get in free of charge
- 400 THB per adult (discounted ticket purchased online)
Essential Tips for your Sanctuary of Truth Trip
Observe the temple’s dress code
While the Sanctuary of Truth is a temple cum museum, we highly recommend that you observe the site’s dress code and wear appropriate clothes. This means no tank tops and short shorts.
As for women, you need to make sure that your midriff, shoulders, and knees are covered while on temple grounds. Fortunately, there are no regulations when it comes to footwear so you can wear whatever shoes you prefer.
Consider the effects of unethical wildlife tourism
Most elephant camps in Thailand observe ethical practices when dealing with these gentle giants. Unfortunately, you’ll see that this museum still allows elephant riding – a practice that is now considered unethical.
As such, we strongly advise that you don’t join in the riding of these animals as it is extremely harmful to them. Better yet, you can just look for other ethical elephant camps where you can have some healthy interaction with these majestic creatures.
Purchase your tickets online and in advance
You can get discounts if you purchase your tickets online. You can also buy them in advance if you want to avoid the long queues of tourists trying to get into the sanctuary.
How to Get to the Sanctuary of Truth
Bus: If you’re on a tight budget, you can take the bus from Bangkok going to Pattaya. However, the trip by bus can take you around 2 hours one way.
Bus fares will cost you around 320 THB and since it will take some time, you can enjoy the views of the city while you’re travelling from point A to point B.
Taxi: You can also travel from Bangkok to the Sanctuary of Truth by taxi. It’s going to cost significantly more at around 1,200 THB but it’s going to get you there faster with its travel time of around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
This is ideal if you’re in a rush and you have a scheduled tour of the sanctuary.
Private car: You can also rent and bring a private car if you want to get to the site in comfort and convenience, especially if you have young kids in your family or travel group.
It will take you around one and a half hours from Bangkok to Pattaya. You’ll also get air-conditioning with a private car so at least you’ll be comfortable during the trip.
Going by private car can be quite expensive but it’s not as expensive as taking a taxi though. A small sedan will set you back 1,500 THB per day but it will afford you the luxury of driving around Pattaya after your tour of the temple.
What to Do at the Sanctuary of Truth
Stroll outside the Sanctuary
As you enter the temple grounds, you’ll be greeted by its intricately decorated and adorned facade. It’s truly jaw-dropping if it’s your first time to see a gigantic sculpture of a 4-faced Brahma, one of the first highlights of the temple’s exterior.
If you look all the way up, you’ll also see four rooftops each with carvings depicting beautiful women and each one carries with it deep significance. Some of these sculptures include:
- Southern rooftop carving: Shows a woman with an elder and a child reminding us to always take care of the family.
- Northern rooftop carving: Depicts a woman carrying a lotus reminding us to observe what our religion teaches.
- Western rooftop carving: Shows a lady carrying a pigeon while squeezing some rice stalks reminding us to maintain the fertility of the land
- Eastern rooftop carving: Depicts a woman holding scripture reminding us to make use of wise philosophers and old prophets as our guide in life.
At the very centre of the sanctuary’s rooftop, you’ll see an entity on a horse that aims to show you a combination of all the teachings of all four corner statues. Its goal is to bring peace across the globe – a peace that the sanctuary already achieved inside its walls.
Explore the inside of the Sanctuary
Once you get inside the sanctuary, you’ll find that certain portions of the temple cum museum are still for renovation. The interior, though, has a similar setup to that of the rooftop and you can visit each of the 4 halls along with the central section of the temple.
The Southern Hall will show you all about the importance of parental love. It depicts statues and carvings that will remind you of the unconditional love of your parents and that family is where you get your first taste of true concern and care.
Next, you can proceed to the Northern Hall of the sanctuary which will show you sculptures and carvings depicting the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism. The hall is somewhat of a promise that as long as you do good deeds, you can get to Nirvana.
Further on, you can take in the artefacts and carvings found in the Eastern Hall. This hall focuses on the stars, moon, and sun – considered to be the three major creators of life and directly contribute to your destiny and even some of your traits.
The “Origin” hall or the Western Hall symbolises the four elements– water, fire, wind, and earth– and has depictions of the various Gods here for you to enjoy. You’ll see the statues of Naga (water), Brahma (air), and Shiva (fire and earth).
Finally, you’ll see a majestic wooden throne in the sanctuary’s central hall. You won’t see any deities here which are supposed to signify harmony and liberation and encourage you to follow the Buddha’s life precepts (e.g. abstain from killing).
Try out nearby activities
You’re not limited to just the sanctuary when you visit this site. There are other fun things to do around the temple and each one of them can make your trip here much more memorable.
First, you can visit the nearby interactive 3D art exhibit located around 15 minutes away from the sanctuary at Chon Buri if you want to see amazing painted scenery depicting the colourful day-to-day lives of locals and scenes of Thailand.
We recommend buying combo tickets online for both the Sanctuary of Truth and the art exhibit (if available) if you want to get a good deal when travelling to this location.
Once you’re done with your museum hopping and your tour of the art exhibit, you can check out the other attractions Pattaya has to offer.
You can proceed to one of the city’s viewpoints to enjoy a great view of the surrounding environs or you can simply visit the floating market of Pattaya to score some great finds!
Taking a boat ride to Koh Larn Island is also an option if you just want to relax and chill out after a long day of travelling in and around Pattaya.
Where to Stay Near the Sanctuary of Truth
Beston Pattaya Hotel
Address: 321/11 Moo 10 Tambon S Pattaya Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Phone: +66 38 411 528
Pricing: $
If you’re on a budget, then the Beston Pattaya Hotel is the perfect hotel to stay at when in Pattaya. It can offer you clean and well-maintained rooms without breaking the bank.
Plus, we liked that this property has a lot of markets, stores, and restaurants nearby. If you feel like eating out or shopping, you can easily access these other establishments once you stay at the Beston Pattaya Hotel.
Centre Point Prime Hotel Pattaya
Address: 275 Moo 6, Sukhumvit Road Naklua, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Phone: +66 38 186 888
Pricing: $$
One of the best hotels in Pattaya if you’re travelling with your family is the Centre Point Prime Hotel Pattaya. The rooms offered by this hotel are spacious and perfect for larger groups thanks to the open-air balcony each room offers.
Your younger kids will also have a blast at this hotel as they offer an exhilarating wave pool with some water slides.
It’s also an ideal spot if you just want to relax as the evenings here are usually calm and peaceful thanks to the hotel’s excellent location away from nightclubs and bars.
Ibis Pattaya
Address: 463, Nhongprue, 79, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Phone: +6626592888
Pricing: $$
Ibis Pattaya should be your hotel of choice if you want to stay near the beach. It’s just a mere walking distance from the water and there are also other interesting sites to check out around the area.
From the hotel, you can visit any of the nearby massage parlours. It’s also pretty close to the Pattaya night market and is a wonderful spot if you’re looking to score some good deals.
The hotel also has a great swimming pool surrounded by lush green trees that can offer enough shade while you lounge around the area.
Don’t miss out on the buffet offered by this hotel as the spread is quite extensive offering you some local and Western dishes to sate your appetite.
Double Boutique Residence
Address: 14 16-17 หมู่ 6 Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Phone: +66810049798
Pricing: $$
If you’re on a budget, then the Double Boutique Residence might be the hotel you need during your trip to Pattaya. The hotel has clean and well-maintained rooms although they are admittedly not that huge.
However, it’s still great value for money as you only have to pay around 600 THB for a room per night.
It’s also just a ten-minute motorcycle ride away from Pattaya Beach and will only take you a few minutes of walking to get to the nearest food stalls and massage parlours.
Surprisingly, the hotel can offer you and your family access to its swimming pool and gym. For the price you pay, this is a great hotel to stay in considering that you can enjoy the said amenities without breaking the bank!
A-One Pattaya Beach Resort
Address: 115 Beach Rd, ตำบล หนองปรือ Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand Phone: +66 38 259 555
Pricing: $$
A-One Pattaya Beach Resort is another hotel for you to consider if you want to stay near Pattaya Beach. From this property, you can already spot the beach from a balcony– perfect if you want to enjoy that beautiful Pattaya sunrise and sunset.
The hotel can also give you some spacious and modern-looking rooms which is ideal if you have your family along with you during your tour of the sanctuary.
It’s also located near some of the best restaurants in Pattaya making it the perfect spot if you want to sample the local dishes.
Where to Eat Near the Sanctuary of Truth
MAYs Pattaya
Address: 12 315/73 Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Phone: +66983740063
Pricing: $$
MAYs Pattaya is one restaurant worth your time if you want to enjoy authentic Thai Food while enjoying a great vibe. Their interiors are decked with live plants and amazing lighting making it the perfect spot for you to bring your date or your family for some laidback eating experience.
Their food items are highly rated and it’s hard not to see why. Some of their local dishes are some of the best you’ll ever taste in the area such as their curry, salads, soups, and seafood.
If you want to treat your tastebuds to some authentic cuisine while in Pattaya, this is the place to do it!
Casa Pascal Restaurant
Address: 485 Pattaya Thanon Second, Pattaya City, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Phone: +66616439969
Pricing: $$$
If you have the funds and are looking for one of the best fine dining experiences in Pattaya, then check out what Casa Pascual Restaurant has to offer.
It’s an amazing upscale restaurant with a classy and elegant vibe which is perfect for some laid-back dining or your romantic date with your partner. The restaurant serves a great spread of Western dishes such as steamed fish and steaks with sides.
You can also check out their outdoor BBQ station where you can order some fresh meats and sides. Don’t forget to try out their desserts as well to end your meal here on a sweet note.
La Bocca Pattaya
Address: 315 172 หมู่ 12 Thappraya Rd, ตำบล หนองปรือ Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Phone: +6638303530
Pricing: $
This is a midscale restaurant that you need to visit and try out if you’re into Italian fare. They serve some of the best Italian dishes along with some other Western Cuisine such as steaks, salad, and different kinds of bread.
However, we highly recommend that you try out their different pastas and pizzas. They’re some of the best ones in all of Pattaya especially when paired with some of their buttered buns.
Cafe des Amis Fine Dining
Address: 10 Thanon Thap Phraya, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20260, Thailand
Phone: +66840264989
Pricing: $$
Cafe des Amis Fine Dining is another fine dining establishment you want to check out here in Pattaya if you’re looking to feast on some perfectly cooked steaks and amazing cocktails.
They also have some seafood spaghetti and cold cuts that you can order to pair with some of their refreshing beverages. The ambience of the Cafe des Amis Fine Dining is also outstanding with some elegant candlelit tables set up that you’ll appreciate.
The restaurant also has some fantastic desserts such as their mixed fruit salad and chocolate cake slices. We recommend that you bring your family or date with you here to wow them with some high-end dishes and relaxing vibes.
El Greco Greek and Mediterranean Restaurant Pattaya
Address: 327/331 Pattaya Thai 16 Bang Lamung District, 20150, Thailand
Phone: +66 38 422 035
Pricing: $
Eating the Mediterranean diet doesn’t have to be expensive. Here at the El Greco Greek and Mediterranean Restaurant, you can enjoy some of the freshest cuisine without having to spend a lot.
They have pasta, sandwiches, wraps, and salads that are perfectly favoured and expertly prepared for your enjoyment. Most of their dishes here are also light but filling, perfect if you’re trying to eat a healthier diet.
We recommend that you order their famous Gyros and top it off with some of their feta cheese. It’s a combination that you should definitely not miss out on!
Apps to Download for Your Sanctuary of Truth Trip
Bolt: Ride-hailing app
Line: Call and messaging, file sharing
Klook: Book tours, attractions, tickets, restaurants, hotels, and other activities
Google Translate: Translate various languages
Tuk: food delivery, transportation, and cleaning services
