Santuary of Truth

The Sanctuary of Truth receives The Tourism Authority of Thailand's high regard as “the magestic wooden castle at the horizon." From the base to the top, every elements of the castle is all made of wood, without the use of a single nail.

Before you get into the castle, there is a viewpoint where you can see the entire castle floating from the sea. Around the castle are beautiful gardens, woodcarving workshop and souvenir shops. A tour guide will be provided to explain to you about the castle for about 20 minutes and then you’ll be free to view the castle and take photos.

Moral is reflected from beatiful woodcarving at the sky high as if created by a goddess The Sanctuary of Truth Museum : Located on the beachfront on Ratchavete Cape, Nakluea Subdistrict, Banglamung District, Chonburi Province, the woodcarving castle features an eye-catchinh pagoda-shaped structure on the top. if you look from afar, you will see as if the castle is ascending from the sea. Between the sea and the castle, there is a fence to protect the heavenly castle. It’s the work of arts by Thai craftmen and artisans in the reign of King Rama 9. With the experience in the construction of the Ancient City and in-depth study of art, the architectural team has successfully materialized the imagination into the spectacular castle. The concept is to have the entire castle made from different kinds of wood as the value and beauty of the wood remains.

The huge woodcarving castle is 105 meters in height, 100 meters from the north to the south and also 100 meters from the east to the west. The total indoor space is 2,115 square meters. Inside the castle lies attractive woodcarving sculpture. At the large hall in the center, a woodcarving throne stands majestically symbolizing liberation.

Only hardwood such as mai daeng, mai takien, mai panchart and teakwood has been selected to build the main structure of the castle. The main post is made from a 400-year-old takien wood and only ancient joining techniques have been used – tongue and groove (wedge) techniques, butt joint, dovetails, sapped spurs, etc.

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum features spectacular woodcarving sculptures at every corner of the castle. They are as follows:

Eastern Hall – Father and Mother (Gratitude) The sculpture of Father and Mother, who give birth to us out of love and care. The love of our father and mother is so great and sincere without expectation of anything in return and that love is greater than the sky and oceans. It reflects human bond and spiritual miracles. Children can learn from that great love and be grateful to them in return. Humans then differ from other creatures on earth.

Western Hall – Sky and Earth (the 4 basic elements) The sculptures symbolize the creation of earth from 4 elements. The sky symbolizes wind and fire, and the earth symbolizes water and soil. The 4 elements have formed planet earth, which features nothing definite or anything tangible. It’s all like just an assumption.

Northern Hall – Social and Spiritual Development The sculptures depict the beliefs of Taoism and Confucianism, reflecting supreme morality of Bhodisatta in the Mahayana Buddhism. Though humans differ at birth, if they do good, they can be liberated from vices, greed and passion. They have to learn how to share and love one another. Humans can be liberated from bad omens if they make merits and do good. That is the philosophy of Mahayana Buddhism – the great vehicle that will lead people to Nirvana. Southern Hall – Sun, Moon and Planets The arts feature the sun, moon and deities for each planet ascending or orbiting the universe. Those planets have influenced the environment and lifestyle of people on earth. Creatures will evolve and humans are differentiated from other creatures. Humans have conscience and are aware of what is good or bad. Deities for each planet have influence over humans. The sun, moon and nine planets according to the ancient beliefs have influence on human life.

The Central Hall, Great Throne and Liberation The woodcarving door facades at 4 directions symbolize the entrance to the universe or Aryasatyani or the 4 Noble Truths, the main teachings of the Lord Buddha. The great throne symbolizes emptiness of the universe or Nirvana, the center of the universe and genuine truth from the beginning to the end of the world.