Pattaya, Coral Island and the Sanctuary of Truth
Highlights
- The Sanctuary of Truth, a hundred-metre carved teak temple on the sea
- Shared speedboat to Coral Island, Koh Larn
- Swimming and free time on the island
- Lunch on the island included
- Two very different halves to the day
Description
This is the Coral Island day with the Sanctuary of Truth added on the way home. The addition changes the shape of the trip, because you get the same morning of swimming and lunch on the island but come back to the mainland for something genuinely strange instead of heading straight for the van. The Sanctuary is a wooden temple a hundred metres high on the Pattaya shoreline, built entirely from teak and joined without a single nail. Every surface is carved with figures out of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, and the carvers are still at work on it now. Construction started in 1981. It is not finished and it is not meant to be, since the sea air rots the teak and the carvers replace sections continuously, so the building is being built and rebuilt at the same time.
Pricing
This tour requires a minimum of 2 persons per booking
- Step 1
06:15 to 07:00 Hotel pickup
Pickup from your hotel in the central Bangkok area, then on to the meeting point at Khaosan Road.
Leave Khaosan Road and drive south-east to Pattaya.
Shared speedboat across to Koh Larn.
Swim, relax on the beach, or add water sports at your own cost.
Thai lunch at a local restaurant on the island.
Boat back to the mainland.
Visit the carved teak temple on the seafront.
Depart Pattaya for the drive back.
Drop-off at Khaosan Road, or Sam Yot MRT station on request.
Included
- Return trip by air-conditioned minivan
- English-speaking local guide
- Shared speedboat transfer both ways
- Coral Island, Koh Larn
- Pattaya Beach
- Sanctuary of Truth
- Thai lunch, vegetarian on request
Not included
- Drinking water
- Travel insurance
- Hotel drop-off
- Water sports on the island
- Sun loungers and beach umbrellas
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sandals with a grip for wet rock
- Sun protection and a hat
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees for the Sanctuary
- Cash for water sports
This tour starts at one of these meeting points. Pick the one that suits you when you book. No extra charge.
- Open in Google Maps
Khaosan / Chana Songkhram Police Station
Check-in 07:15
In front of Chana Songkhram Police Station at the end of Khaosan Road, opposite Wat Chana Songkhram.
- Open in Google Maps
Korea Town / Sukhumvit Plaza fountain
Check-in 06:30
At the fountain in front of Sukhumvit Plaza (Korea Town), between Sukhumvit 10 and 12, ~200 m from Asok BTS exit 2.
A driver collects you where you're staying. Your area sets the collection time.
Free pickup · 14 areasSee all 14 areasHide areas
Your exact pickup time depends on your area and departure time. You'll see it at checkout and we confirm it with your booking.
The Sanctuary is an active building site as much as a monument. You wear a hard hat inside, and some sections are screened off while the carvers work on them, which is normal and not a sign that you have come on a bad day. The dress code asks for covered shoulders and knees. Sarongs are lent at the entrance for anyone who arrives in beachwear, which on this tour is nearly everyone, because you come straight from Koh Larn. The smarter move is a cover-up or a change of clothes in your day bag. Water sports and loungers on the island are extra and cash only, the same as on the plain Pattaya day.
FAQs
A hundred-metre temple on the Pattaya shoreline, built entirely from teak and joined without nails, with every surface carved with figures from Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. Construction began in 1981 and continues, so carvers are usually at work when you visit.
Yes, shoulders and knees covered. Sarongs are lent at the entrance if you need one, which is common on this tour because people arrive straight from the beach. A hard hat is provided and must be worn inside.
No. Parasailing, jet skis, banana boats and sun loungers on Koh Larn are all paid separately and are cash only.
Yes, if your hotel is in the central pickup area. Pickup times are set by area: Khaosan Road and the old town 06:50 to 07:15, Chinatown and Hua Lamphong 06:40 to 06:50, Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn and Pratunam 06:30 to 06:40, and Siam 06:30 to 06:45. If you are staying outside that area you make your own way to the meeting point on Khaosan Road, in front of the Chana Songkhram police station, for 07:15, or to Korea Town at Sukhumvit Plaza for 06:30.
Yes, this tour needs at least two people to run. Group sizes vary with the season, from about two to nine people on a quiet day up to twenty or more in high season.
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour starts and get a full refund. Inside 24 hours the tour is non-refundable, because the seat and the guide are already committed.
