Sanctuary of Truth

The Sanctuary of Truth is a large all-wood structure on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand in Chon Buri province, near Pattaya. Construction began in 1981 and the complex functions as a cultural monument blending religious and philosophical themes.

The site consists chiefly of a towering wooden sanctuary with carved facades and interior sculptures that depict scenes from Buddhist and Hindu cosmology and traditional Asian iconography. Guided visits commonly focus on the detailed woodcarving, sculptural groups and the building’s complex structural timberwork.

The project was begun by Lek Viriyaphant in 1981 as part of a private cultural initiative; work has continued over decades with ongoing carving, restoration and additions rather than a single completion date. The sanctuary combines modern construction techniques with traditional carving methods and was created as a museum-like site for philosophical and artistic expression.

It sits on the coast north of central Pattaya in Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri province, close to Naklua and the northern Pattaya shoreline. The site is accessible by road from Pattaya and is set adjacent to the sea on a landscaped property.

• Construction history: Construction was initiated by Thai businessman and patron Lek Viriyaphant in 1981 and the site has been developed as a long-term, continually worked project.
• Materials and craft: Structure is built almost entirely of wood and carved by hand, intended as both a religious monument and an exhibition of traditional woodcarving techniques.

What to See #

• Main sanctuary building: A single, large all-wood sanctuary built as an open-work temple with carved wooden pillars, beams and galleries covering religious and philosophical motifs from Hindu and Buddhist traditions.