Big Buddha in Phuket: Status, Reasons for Closure, and Useful Information for Tourists

Phuket's Big Buddha Was Closed to Visitors from September 2, 2024

The entire temple complex was temporarily inaccessible due to an ongoing investigation following a tragic incident. There were even talks of demolishing parts of the buildings on the premises (this was heavily sensationalized by many "yellow" media outlets and bloggers who claimed the Big Buddha would be torn down and was already being dismantled).

On August 23, 2024, a landslide occurred on the complex's territory. According to preliminary data, one of the possible causes cited was construction work in the area of the Big Buddha temple. As a result of the incident, 13 people died, including two Russian citizens. Legal proceedings are currently still underway, despite the Big Buddha temple and its grounds having reopened to visitors.

Phuket's Big Buddha is Open to Visitors

The Big Buddha statue in Phuket is once again open to tourists and locals since March 3, 2026. After a period of restrictions and site preparation, the complex officially welcomes visitors as usual.

Currently, the temple complex operates daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visits are only possible during daylight hours — early morning, evening, and night access to the territory is closed. These restrictions are in place to control visitor flow and ensure safety at the observation deck.

According to representatives of the local clergy, the management of the site and organizational matters are now under the control of Wat Kittisangkharam. This temple is responsible for order on the premises, visitor services, and the conduct of Buddhist ceremonies.

The Phuket Big Buddha complex remains one of the island's main attractions. The observation deck near the statue traditionally draws tourists with panoramic views of southern Phuket, including the Karon, Kata, and Chalong areas.

Following the completed work, the complex's territory has been tidied up, visitor areas updated, and main площадки around the statue cleaned. Tourists can now once again ascend to the Big Buddha, take photos, enjoy the island views, and visit the temple part of the complex.

For those planning a trip, it is recommended to visit in the first half of the day or closer to evening before closing. At these times, the temperature is more comfortable, and the number of tourists is usually smaller.

A Multinational Construction Project

The Big Buddha is located in the Chalong area, on Nakaked Mountain. At an altitude of over 400 meters stands one of the island's main attractions — the Big Buddha temple in Phuket.

The official Thai name of the complex is Wat Phra Phutthamingmungkhol Akenakhakhiri. It is not just a tourist attraction, but an important spiritual place for local residents.

The temple's construction began in 2002 and was funded entirely by donations from the outset. This is why the project stretched over many years and continues to this day — currently, the main work focuses on finishing touches.

Hundreds of people participated in the temple's creation: from members of the royal family and Phuket businessmen to ordinary Thais and tourists. The complex became a truly international project.

Anyone can contribute: purchase a tile with a wish, a bell, or make a donation. These elements are then used in the temple's decoration.

Rules of Conduct at the Big Buddha Temple and its Territory

According to the rules, women entering the temple grounds must wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. If a tourist's attire is unsuitable, locals are ready to offer a traditional sarong skirt and a scarf for the shoulders. However, this option is paid, ranging from 50 to 250 baht per item, so it's better to plan your clothing in advance. Before the pandemic, skirts and scarves were provided for free, but the need to sanitize them complicated the process. We do not recommend refusing to follow the country's traditions and not wearing a sarong and scarf — it can lead to misunderstandings with locals and a conflict situation.

You can read more here: "How to Behave in a Temple in Thailand: Visiting Rules, Dress Code, and Etiquette for Tourists."

What makes the Big Buddha temple interesting?

The visit to the temple begins with large marble boulders from Burma. A large part of the Buddha statue is carved from this material.

Next, you can see the gongs. According to local beliefs, only a person with a pure soul and thoughts can draw sound from them. But don't rush to strike the gong: to gain the support of higher powers, you only need to rub the center of the disc with your palms. You can also see them upstairs near the statue itself.

Further on is a Chinese temple under a roof. This is a popular spot for Thais wishing to pray, and here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Thai prayer halls. The scent of incense, candles, and temple music signals this.

Nearby, you can treat yourself to souvenirs and traditional items or grab a snack. The money raised will go directly to the temple's construction budget. Therefore, any purchase can be considered charity.

View from Nakaked Hill

The temple complex is so advantageously located that the entire southern Phuket is wonderfully visible from the mountain slopes. The lower observation deck allows you to appreciate the view of Chalong Bay, while from the upper one you can admire Promthep Cape, Phuket Town, and the beach coasts.

A few words about the temple

At the foot of the stairs to the statue, there is a small temple. It is important to observe traditions here to avoid confrontation with believers, as the temple is active. It's easy to spot a monk tying sacred threads for happiness, or sai sin. For him to bless you, you need to take off your shoes and approach with a slight bow of your head, then sit on your knees in such a way that your feet are not visible. After tying the thread and blessing, the monk will sprinkle you with water. This symbolizes the purification of consciousness. Donations – a paper bill – serve as gratitude. The currency and amount do not matter. After the ritual is complete, do not turn your back on the monk – this will be perceived as a sign of disrespect. You should move away facing the cleric. If you are unsure how to do this, wait for one of the local Thais to be blessed and observe.

Inside the temple, there are many Buddha statues, even representing different days of the week. Near them, there's a small shop selling tiles and bells. The tiles are for writing down your wishes with a marker and adding them to those that will decorate the temple's exterior.

Your innermost wishes will remain private — the side with them will be attached to the wall, leaving the other side as decoration. You can also write your wish on a bell and then hang it on a branch near one of the statues. Their harmonious chiming helps maintain an atmosphere of tranquility.

Big Buddha Statue

The statue's dimensions are impressive — 45 meters high and 25 meters wide. You can ascend by a large staircase or steps from the temple, but it's best to descend by following the "exit" sign on the left. This is due to the tradition of not turning your back to Buddha.

The statue was created in honor of the late King of Thailand, Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej. The enlightened Buddha sits facing east. Another temple is planned to be built beneath his face, or the lower temple will be relocated here. Construction is still ongoing, but it can already be visited or used for meditation.

Golden Buddha Statue

The golden effigy can be found to the left of its larger counterpart. It is also tall, reaching 12 meters. The statue honors Queen Sirikit, wife of Rama IX and mother of the current King Rama X.

Animals

Unfortunately, the exoticism doesn't end there. After the pandemic, wild monkeys have taken over the territory, and you should not tease, feed, or even approach them for safety reasons — the animals are aggressive and bite.

How to Get to the Big Buddha Complex

You can get there independently by rented transport, use taxi services, or visit as part of a private sightseeing tour of Phuket.

There is also a pedestrian path from Karon, but it's not suitable for everyone — climbing the mountain in such heat can be tough. Additionally, it's undeveloped, and people are rarely encountered there, unlike wild animals, insects, and reptiles.

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