The Sanctuary of Truth is a massive structure — 105 metres tall — built entirely from teakwood and covered in hand-carved mythological and religious figures from Hindu and Buddhist iconography. Construction began in 1981 and is still ongoing; the wood requires constant maintenance and replacement. The effect is overwhelming: every surface is carved, and the scale of the project is hard to comprehend until you are standing in front of it.
Visitors are given hard hats and led through what is, in places, still an active building site. Entrance is around 500 baht, which includes a guided tour, a short Thai cultural performance, and the option of a wooden boat ride around the bay. The site is north of the city centre on the cape, fronted by its own small beach.