A huge seafront temple built entirely of wood without a single nail: 105 metres tall, every wall carved with gods, elephants and mythical heroes. Construction began in 1981 and is still going — the carvers work right in front of visitors.
Price: About 500 ฿ for foreigners
Insider tip: You get a hard hat at the entrance, since it’s still a building site. Free English tours run every hour, and at sunset the carvings glow warm gold. Shorts get covered with a sarong they lend you.
Photo: Ambralina, CC0
⛴ Koh Larn
A coral island 45 minutes by ferry from Pattaya, with far clearer water than the city beaches. Samae, Tien and Nual beaches, scooters instead of taxis and fresh seafood right on the sand.
Price: Ferry from Bali Hai pier about 30 ฿ one way
Insider tip: Take the first ferry at 7:00 or 8:00 and head to Samae or Tien — Tawaen, where the tours go, is packed by lunchtime. The last ferry back is around 18:00; speedboats cost more but don’t make you wait.
