My attempt to somersault ended in disaster!
After many attempts to climb the towering ramparts of the fortress, I headed towards the far end of Laem Ratchawet Beach, Ao Wong Phrachan, the location of a massive structure with intricate and magnificent architecture that many have praised as 'as beautiful as a divine creation'.

If you flip through the file of my visits to Pattaya, you will see my name signed on every page, so much so that I had to ask for more paper. And almost every line in the remarks section states that I wish to visit the 'Sanctuary of Truth'.

Years have passed, and the ramparts still thwart my intentions, especially the intentions of those around me who have the immense power to hold me back from climbing.
Climbing the ramparts costs 500 baht!!

Today, I traveled to Pattaya alone, not with the intention of sightseeing, but just to stop by and see what I had invested in to find a turning point in my life.
But for more than 2 years, the tens of thousands of baht have been stagnant, and there has been no progress.
The feeling of disappointment at not finding a turning point in my life has now turned into a longing for a change in mood.

An hour later, the five hundred baht slipped out of my hand effortlessly, as if under a spell. My long-awaited attempt to cross the walls of the Sanctuary of Truth was successful from the starting point of 'unintentionality'.
Sometimes it's hard to understand. Life can be easy when it wants to be, but other times it's almost like blood is splattering everywhere.
"The castle is 300 meters down the path," the ticket checker told me as I scanned the area for the giant castle, which is about 100 meters high from the ground to the top. But I didn't know where it was hidden, because from the ticket booth, where there were no buildings to obstruct the view, I couldn't even see a shadow.

In the end, time answered all my questions. When I walked to the end of the path, there was a viewpoint of a restaurant located on a hill. Looking down below, near the beach, it was as if I could see a palace of gods and goddesses.

A large wooden castle in the Thai style with four faces, decorated with intricate carvings, has a backdrop of the azure sea, making it look strangely beautiful. Some parts of the castle still have a steel frame covered with canvas. Workers are busy because it is still under construction, and no one knows when it will be completed. Although this castle has been built for more than half a lifetime, since 1981.

Looking down from above, the castle doesn't seem like much, but when I got up close, I was amazed by its grandeur. If I were to call it a 'marvel', I believe no one would disagree. The entire castle is adorned with thousands of intricately carved wooden sculptures of gods and goddesses. Every nook and cranny, both inside and out, is imbued with profound philosophical meaning that is beyond words. Moreover, the castle itself was built using ancient techniques, with mortise and tenon joints and wedges, without a single nail!

At this moment, the 500 baht investment that I was so reluctant to part with has turned out to be more than worth it. It has brought me immense joy, and knowing that the entrance fee I paid will be used to maintain and repair the castle itself makes me even happier. I feel good knowing that I have played a small part in preserving our national heritage for future generations, so that they too can see the day when it is finally completed.

I spent hours wandering through the castle, completely forgetting my worries. Standing by the window, feeling the cool sea breeze on my face, I felt a sense of relaxation that led me to reflect and have a conversation with myself.

What have I been striving for all these years, investing in this and that?

I wanted financial freedom, I wanted to be rich.

And what's the point of being rich?

To be happy, of course.

But what is happiness in life?

It's living life on my own terms, having enough to eat and live, owning a car and a house, being able to travel and take pictures, write books, and spend time with my family.

Silence... no more questions, only answers to myself.

I'm already living like that! So why am I struggling to find wealth?

When the real goal in life is happiness, not wealth!

The Route of Little I-Fai to the Sanctuary of Truth

It's a piece of cake. From Bangkok, take the motorway following the signs to Pattaya until the end.

Once you reach Pattaya City, turn right onto Sukhumvit Road. Then turn left onto Pattaya Nuea Road and go straight until you reach a roundabout. Turn right onto Pattaya-Na Kluea Road.

Continue straight ahead and look for the sign for Na Kluea Soi 12 on the left-hand side (you can actually enter from Soi 16 or 14, but it's easier to turn less so you don't get confused).

Turn into Na Kluea Soi 12 and follow the main road. Keep following the signs and you will find the entrance to the Sanctuary on your right-hand side. The total distance from Bangkok is approximately 150 kilometers.

P.S. If anyone who knows me reads this article, please don't tell my family that I snuck out to visit the Sanctuary of Truth!

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