Sanctuary of Truth and Nong Nooch Garden: two visits near Pattaya
Two very different sites combine into one day around Pattaya, about 150 km from Bangkok. The Sanctuary of Truth, in Naklua north of the city, is a 105-metre building made entirely of carved wood, begun in 1981 by the patron Lek Viriyaphant, who also created Ancient City and the Erawan Museum. Construction is still going on: you will see carvers at work. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, about twenty kilometres to the south in Sattahip district, is a large estate of themed gardens, palm and orchid collections and cultural shows. Allow about two hours for the Sanctuary and half a day for Nong Nooch. For transport from Bangkok, the beach and nightlife, see our guide to Pattaya from Bangkok.
Highlights
The carved façades of the Sanctuary
Hindu and Buddhist figures and Southeast Asian motifs mingle on walls, columns and roofs covered in wooden carvings. The building is conceived as a reflection on philosophy and religions, and carvers are still working on it by hand.
The guided tour
The ticket includes a guided tour of about one hour, offered in several languages including English. Hard hats are lent at the entrance because construction continues: a guide is the best way to understand the symbolism of the statues.
The gardens of Nong Nooch
Themed gardens and collections of palms and orchids spread over a vast estate. A bus or electric cart lets you move between gardens without walking in the full sun.
The cultural shows at Nong Nooch
Thai dance and martial arts are performed in a theatre in the park. The park also offers elephant shows and rides: we do not recommend them, and the gardens are worth the visit on their own.
Practical info
Tips
- At the Sanctuary of Truth, the daytime ticket costs 500 baht per adult and 250 baht per child, guided tour included (prices seen in October 2026). The evening visit with a show is listed at around 700 baht by resellers: check at the ticket office. Cover shoulders and knees, and wear closed shoes rather than flip-flops on the building site. At Nong Nooch, the foreigner admission price varies with the package (entry only, with bus, with shows or lunch); check the park's official website before booking and do not count on a single price. Both sites are away from the centre: from Pattaya a ride-hailing app or taxi is the simplest, and a driver hired for the day lets you link the two. Organised tours from Bangkok often pack them into one day, but with four to six hours on the road in total, a night on site is more comfortable. By the same founder as the Sanctuary, Ancient City and the Erawan Museum can be visited without leaving the Bangkok area. See also: Pattaya from Bangkok and day trips from Bangkok.
How to get there
From Bangkok, take an air-conditioned bus to Pattaya (about two to three hours) from the Ekkamai or Mo Chit bus stations, then a taxi or ride-hailing car. The Sanctuary of Truth is in Naklua, north of Pattaya, at the end of Naklua Soi 12. Nong Nooch is on Sukhumvit Road, about 18 km south of central Pattaya, in Sattahip district. Sanctuary address: 206/2 Moo 5, Soi Naklua 12, Naklua, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20150. Nong Nooch address: 34/1 Moo 7, Sukhumvit Road, Na Chom Thian, Sattahip, Chonburi 20250.
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