Phuket Big Buddha is a large white statue of the Lord Buddha on a hill located between Karon and Chalong in the southern part of the island of Phuket in Thailand.
- Opening hours: 06:00 to 19:00 every day
- Entrance fee: Free
About Phuket Big Buddha
Phuket Big Buddha wasn’t Phuket’s first large Buddha statue, that was the Buddha statue at Wat Khao Rang in Phuket, but at 45 metres high it is Phuket’s tallest Buddha statue and the island’s most recognisable landmark. Construction of the Phuket Big Buddha, known in Thai as the Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri, began in 2002. The statue itself was completed 2014, the steps leading up to the base of the statue are still under construction. The main structure statue and the base itself are made from cast concrete which was completed within two years of the start of the project. What is taking time to install are the pieces of white marble which cover the statue and will eventually cover the whole of the base and the stairs. These pieces of white marble are being purchased through donations from the public, and if you would like to buy a small slab of white marble to install at the site they cost between 300 and 1,000 THB each depending on the size and you can write your name on the underside in black marker pen. The total cost of the statue to date is estimated to be the equivalent of around $1 million USD.
Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri is the official name for Phuket Big BuddhaPhuket Big Buddha is located on the top of the tallest of the Nakkerd Hills. The base of the stairs leading up to statue is 372 metres above sea level. It’s the highest point in the area so you get 360 degree views. The best views are of nearby Kata and Karon, although in the other direction on a clear day you can see Chalong and beyond that Phang Nga Bay. It’s the best view point on the island by far.
Getting to Phuket Big Buddha is a challenge without a vehicle. Two alternatives to driving up to the statue are to walk from either Kata Beach (3.6 km) or Karon Beach (3.4 km). Each way it takes about an hour, which is harder going up than it is going down. Alternatively if you are travelling by public transport from Phuket Town then take the bus to Karon and alight at the turning to the Chalong Chalet Resort & Longstay before you reach Kata Beach. From there it’s a 5.2 km walk, which takes around 1 hour 20 minutes, to get to the statue.
Location of Phuket Big Buddha
- Phuket Big Buddha is 46.4 km by road to the south of Phuket Airport.
