The Sanctuary of Truth

The Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya, Thailand

To those who are celebrating their new years in April, Happy New Year!

This is my yearly (almost) Songkran (Thai New Year) post. I love festivals. They are my shortcuts to updating my blog. Just post a whole bunch of photos, and wish everyone for the occasion! Hah!

The Sanctuary of Truth (Prasat Satjatham) is an incredible temple monument work of art dreamt up by Mr Lek Viriyaphant, an eccentric Thai millionaire, who lived between 1914 and 2000. The entire structure, all 105m tall of it, is constructed completely from wood, without a single metal nail (or so claims some website). Construction started in the 80’s and is still going on. (It’s projected to be completed between 2025 to friggin 2050!) It’s like a continuously built structure, with old parts being replaced and refurbished, as new parts are being completed, due to it being made entirely from timber, and is located on a small sandy promontory jutting out into the sea. This interestingly, creates continuous work for woodcarvers, improving their skills, and preserving the art. By the way, this is the second creation of Khun Lek (Mr Lek) featured in my blog, the first being Ancient City. Enjoy!


It’s a family visit! The kids, with dad and Hazel – Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand


Anu & Hazel at the Sanctuary of Truth. And here’s a selfie taken at the Sanctuary of Truth


We have to wear hard hats to enter the Sanctuary! It’s a construction site after all…


Justin and a gong (no, the gong is metal, but everything else is wood)


Heck, even the lift is wooden!


It contains Thai, Cambodian, Chinese and Indian motifs


Elaborate windows


Decorations in the interior


Can you spot Justin?


There you are, little Jayden!


Justin on a rope bridge (aka Burma bridge) on a rope course outside the Sanctuary of Truth. Nope, no one else from our family tried. Saw other adults struggling to get thru with some giving up! Justin did fine though.

Happy Songkran! Happy Thingyan! Happy Vaisakhi! Happy Bohag Bihu! Happy Vishu! Happy New Year to all the others that I've not managed to name...