Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0 3836 7229;
www.sanctuaryoftruth.com
;
206/2 Th Naklua; adult/child 500/250B; 8am-6pm)
Made en-
tirely of wood (no metal nails) and commanding a celestial view of the ocean, the Sanctu-
ary of Truth is best described as a visionary environment: part art installation, religious
shrine and cultural monument. Constructed in four wings dedicated to Thai, Khmer,
Chinese and Indian religious iconography, the architecture and setting is impressive.
The ornate temple-like complex was conceived by Lek Viriyaphant, a Thai millionaire
who spent his fortune on this and other heritage projects (such as Ancient City near
Bangkok) that revived and preserved ancient building techniques and architecture in
danger of extinction. In this case, the building will continue to support hand-hewn wood-
working skills because it has been under construction for 30 years and still isn't finished.
Every centimetre of the 20-storey-tall building is covered with wood carvings of Hindu
and Buddhist gods and goddesses - an artistic consolidation of centuries of religious
myths under one unifying roof for greater spiritual enlightenment. For non-Buddhists the
experience may be more educational than transcendent as much of the symbolism will be
unfamiliar.
Compulsory tours are led through the building every half hour. Thai dancing is on dis-
play at 11.30am and 3.30pm. Motorcycle taxis can be hired from Pattaya for 50B to 70B.
The sanctuary is 1km down Soi 12 off Th Naklua, about 3km from the centre of town.
MUSEUM
Anek Kusala Sala (Viharn Sien)
( 0 3823 5250; off Th Sukhumvit; admission 50B; 9am-5pm)
A popular stop for tour groups, this
museum contains more than 300 very impressive pieces of Chinese artwork, mainly
bronze and brass statues depicting historical figures as well as Buddhist, Confucian and
Taoist deities. Founded by Sa-nga Kulkobkiat, a Thai national who grew up in China, the
museum was intended as a friendship-building project between the two countries.
The 1st floor is a crowded pavilion of Chinese immortals, from Pangu, the cosmic gi-
ant, to Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy. The 2nd-floor terrace is the museum's most dra-
matic, with larger-than-life-sized statues of Shaolin monks depicting different martial arts
poses. Nearby, is a touching collection of daily life statues (a fortune teller, dress maker,
liquor seller) that visitors place 1 baht coins on.
The museum is 16km south of central Pattaya; take Th Sukhumvit to the turn-off for
Wat Yan Sangwararam. There is a Pattaya-Sattahip
sŏrng·tăa·ou
(25B) that will take you
to the turn-off; from there you can hire a motorcycle the remaining 3km to the museum
